VISHAY B

******* disconnecting electricity

Renico Construction (PTY) Ltd Our eletricity has been disconnected for non payment yet again which is completely ******* in South Africa as per below. We however did email you on Monday 05/01/2026 to advise you of the issue for us not paying on the 1st as we were waiting for our clients to open their offices next week so we can receive our payments and then pay you the rental for our unit Up until today we have not recived a response to that email bur you have *******ly disconnected our electricy Please could you reconnect our electricity with immediate effect!!! In South Africa, it is ******* for a landlord to cut electricity or water due to unpaid rent; they must follow a formal court process for eviction, as this "self-help" is a ******** offence under the Rental Housing Act (RHA), making them liable for fines or imprisonment, and tenants can apply to the court for immediate restoration of services. Landlords can only disconnect services if the tenant doesn't pay for those specific services (like prepaid electricity) and even then, must follow legal procedures, not just switch off the supply. Why It's ******* Rental Housing Act (RHA): Section 16(hA) makes it a crime for anyone to ********ly lock out a tenant or shut off utilities, with penalties including fines or jail time. Spoliation: Cutting services is considered an ******** disturbance (spoliation) of a tenant's peaceful possession, and courts will order the immediate restoration of services. No "Self-Help": Landlords cannot take the law into their own hands; they must use the legal eviction process. What a Landlord Must Do Instead Give Written Notice: Issue a written notice of breach for non-payment of rent. Apply for a Court Order: If the tenant still doesn't pay, the landlord must apply to the court for an eviction order. Obtain Eviction Order: Only a sheriff, acting under a court order, can legally evict a tenant. What a Tenant Can Do Contact Authorities: Report the landlord to the police, as they are committing a crime. Seek Legal Help: Contact the Rental Housing Tribunal, legal aid, or an eviction lawyer to apply for an urgent court order to have the electricity reconnected. Important Note on Prepaid Meters If the tenant is responsible for paying for their own electricity (e.g., via a prepaid meter), they are liable for those costs, and failure to pay could lead to the municipality cutting the supply, not the landlord directly, though the landlord must still follow legal eviction for the rent.