T M

Rental agent to avoid

Lovely estate but I strongly advise against renting through Deraine Rentals ***ner: Deon Jacobs). My experience has been very disappointing and feels deliberately misleading. My lease expired on 31 August 2025(as stated in the contract), and I gave notice 1 full months notice as per the contract. Before moving out, I even asked Deon to confirm the termination date in writing, but he never responded. At the outgoing inspection, he signed off that there was no damage to the property and assured me that my deposit would be refunded within 7 days. When I followed up after the 7 days, he suddenly claimed that I should have given 2 months’ notice and that because he didn’t yet have a new tenant, I would forfeit my deposit. This is ******** under the Rental Housing Act, which clearly states that deposits can only be withheld for actual damages or unpaid rent, not because the landlord cannot find a new tenant. This conduct feels dishonest and planned to deceive tenants. After this experience, I checked Google reviews and saw that many others have had similar complaints about Deraine Rentals and deposits. Sadly, I wish I had believed those reviews before signing my lease. Don’t be fooled by Deon’s claims of being a "Christian", his actions do not reflect honesty or integrity. I am now escalating this matter to the Rental Housing Tribunal. I hope this review helps others avoid the same frustration and financial loss.