CL
Conrad L
Active since Jan 2018
2
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2 reviews11 months ago
Unfair Fine and Poor Communication from De Lucia Group
I am a property owner in Stanton Creek, where De Lucia Group took over the body corporate role in late 2024. I've rented out my apartment for over seven years and never experienced such communication challenges with a managing agent. In November 2024, my tenants were fined for alleged damage to the shared pool's creepy crawly. When I requested supporting evidence, I was provided only with a video dated October (before the alleged incident) and an invoice for a new unit—no third-party report, photo of damage, or specific explanation of what was broken. Despite my queries about wear and tear or the device’s condition, I received no meaningful answers. Instead, I was told the fine was based on my tenants being the last seen using the pool. I had multiple conversations with staff, including my portfolio manager, but was met with responses that dismissed my questions as "lacking logic". Eventually, I was told to escalate the matter to external authorities if I was unhappy. What concerns me most is the principle: a charge was enforced without any credible or verifiable proof. While the fine itself was minor, interest and surcharges were app**** monthly—eventually reaching nearly R400 per month. My tenants' electricity was also disconnected multiple times during the dispute, despite all regular utilities and levies being paid. I understand the role of a body corporate is to manage and maintain shared property fairly and transparently. In this case, I felt the process lacked both. It’s disheartening to see such rigidity, especially when queries are raised in good faith and with a willingness to resolve matters constructively. I hope this feedback encourages a more transparent, communicative, and accountable approach to dealing with owners and tenants alike.
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11 months ago
Misconduct and abuse of power!!
Not too long ago, De Lucia Group took over as body corporate of a complex I own an apartment in. I have been renting out this apartment for over 7 years, and never have I struggled this much to communicate with a Body Corporate. This flat is situated in Stanton Creek, and in November 2024, De Lucia Group, along with the trustee group, decided to fine my tenants for supposed damage to the creepy crawly of the shared pool facility. I say "supposed damage" as when I requested evidence of this damage, they could not provide me with any proof that the crawly was actually damaged, only a video from October 2024 (more than a month before the "supposed damage" was noted), and an invoice showing the purchase of a new crawly. No third party assessment of damage, or photo of broken parts, or anything actually involving the crawly they got fined for. The video of my tenants using the pool, was also just that... a video of my tenants USING the pool. When asked about this, their response was simply: "Your tenants were determined to be the last to use the pool, and therefore it had to be them". I asked them several follow ups, as in how old the crawly was, could it perhaps have been due to wear and tear? What exactly on the crawly was broken? I probably spoke to 3/4 different people, the main one being Celestine Hart, my portfolio manager, who told me that I was lacking logic and that my enquiries were unfair. I also sent several emails, and eventually this just resulted in the answer of "Take us to the necessary authorities and see if they resolve the matter for you". De Lucia was absolutely firm on their decision and refused to even indulge the idea of the fine being challenged. This fine was not big, but it was the principle of the matter that fines can be created and invoiced to people without literally any evidence. Purely based on opinions and gut feelings. To make matters worse, they enforced this fine via charging interest and surcharges on it for as long as it went unpaid. This added up to close to R400/m. They also disconnected my tenants power 3 times in 3 weeks for periods extending up to 3-4 days sometimes, on the basis that there was money outstanding on the bill. Granted, I paid my utilities and levies on time every month, and the only outstanding amount would have been this fine which was under dispute. I am shocked by this behavior and way of doing business. It us unbelievable and frankly disgusting. Buying property and leasing it out is already difficult enough, with the risk that come along with tenants, and the last thing you need is the body corporate making it even more difficult. They are suppose to be there to help you, not end up chasing your tenants away. The worst part is you physically can't do anything about it, as it involves quite a large investment, and they know disposing of it for something so tedious would be idiotic, so they leverage off that, and trust that you will just eventually break and bend to their will. I am truly disappointed.
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