Sandak Lewin Trust
2.7|71 reviews
MA
Maleeka A
1 reviews | Active since Member
11 Apr 2025, 11:36
Being ignored for months!
In August 2024, maintenance was taking place on the building. On the 23rd August 2024 I heard word from someone in the complex, that the burglar bars on the ground floor apartments will be removed. On the same day, I mailed the managing agents asking them about this as we have not received communication. On the 1/09/2024 I followed up on mail as I have not had a response. On the 2/09/2024 I received a response, but it was unrelated to my question, so I posed the question again. No response. On the 16/09/2024 I sent them a picture as the burglar bars were taken off without no prior notification. No response.
27/02/2025 I received an email for an invoice for R6313.50 for maintenance of burglar bars, due 1/03/2025.This was noted as 'overdue'. Same day, they said they will refer my mail to the trustees. Follow ups done 04/03/2025 & 20/03/2025. I was then told on the 20th that the trustees are discussing. 06/03/2025 we were referred to the debt collection department for an overdue invoice. On the same day, I mailed them as still to date, we have not received a single communication about the burglar bars being removed, nor who it will be paid for by. 06/03/2025 I sent a complaint to SLT using their complaints link on their website. No response.
20/03/2025 - I followed up once again, this time I included the managing director Carl Smit. No response 27/03/2025 - Follow up done 27/03/2025 - Carl confirmed that if the burglar bars were to be repaired, then it should have been communicated to owners, especially if the cost is for the owner. 27/03/2025 - I let him know that we were not notified, and all mails were being ignored. He advised that he will investigate. Till today, no response.
09/04/2025 - yet another invoice from the debt collection department for the 'overdue' burglar bar payment.
I am yet once again, requesting the following as I am continuously being ignored:
Full breakdown of the decision-making process for this work, including meeting minutes where this was discussed. Proof of the service agreement, showing that owners were notified and agreed to these costs. Immediate withdrawal of this charge from my account, or a valid legal explanation as to why the charge is justified.
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Replies (232)Sandak Lewin Trust's replyOfficial
14 Apr 2025, 10:25Dear Maleeka, In accordance with legislation, the maintenance of burglar bars is the responsibility of individual owners. Due to a lack of maintenance, the trustees proceeded to appoint a contractor to replace the affected bars, and in February instructed SLT to recover the associated cost from the relevant owners. We acted promptly by notifying the affected owners and have since remained in communication with both you and the trustees regarding this matter. Should any member not be in agreement with the decision taken by the trustees, they may proceed to submit an application for dispute resolution to the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS).
Best regards,
Sandak Lewin Trust's reply14 Apr 2025, 10:25
Official
Dear Maleeka, In accordance with legislation, the maintenance of burglar bars is the responsibility of individual owners. Due to a lack of maintenance, the trustees proceeded to appoint a contractor to replace the affected bars, and in February instructed SLT to recover the associated cost from the relevant owners. We acted promptly by notifying the affected owners and have since remained in communication with both you and the trustees regarding this matter. Should any member not be in agreement with the decision taken by the trustees, they may proceed to submit an application for dispute resolution to the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS).
Best regards,
MA
Maleeka A's updateReviewer Update
14 Apr 2025, 10:29This is VERY untrue. Nobody has 'remained in contact' with us. We are being ignored. The only communication we get is when an invoice is sent. None of my questions have been answered.
Once again, I request the following:
Full breakdown of the decision-making process for this work, including meeting minutes where this was discussed.
Proof of the service agreement, showing that owners were notified and agreed to these costs.
Immediate withdrawal of this charge from my account, or a valid legal explanation as to why the charge is justified.
Once again, I request the following:
Full breakdown of the decision-making process for this work, including meeting minutes where this was discussed.
Proof of the service agreement, showing that owners were notified and agreed to these costs.
Immediate withdrawal of this charge from my account, or a valid legal explanation as to why the charge is justified.
MA
Maleeka A's update14 Apr 2025, 10:29
Reviewer Update
This is VERY untrue. Nobody has 'remained in contact' with us. We are being ignored. The only communication we get is when an invoice is sent. None of my questions have been answered.
Once again, I request the following:
Full breakdown of the decision-making process for this work, including meeting minutes where this was discussed.
Proof of the service agreement, showing that owners were notified and agreed to these costs.
Immediate withdrawal of this charge from my account, or a valid legal explanation as to why the charge is justified.
Once again, I request the following:
Full breakdown of the decision-making process for this work, including meeting minutes where this was discussed.
Proof of the service agreement, showing that owners were notified and agreed to these costs.
Immediate withdrawal of this charge from my account, or a valid legal explanation as to why the charge is justified.
Sandak Lewin Trust's replyOfficial
14 Apr 2025, 11:04We will provide you with the relevant minutes of the meeting once received from the Trustees. We have addressed the matter regarding legal liability. The Trustees have acted in a fair and reasonable manner by holding the relevant owners responsible for a cost that falls to their account, rather than requiring all owners to contribute towards the maintenance of an area that is the responsibility of individual owners.
Best regards,
Sandak Lewin Trust's reply14 Apr 2025, 11:04
Official
We will provide you with the relevant minutes of the meeting once received from the Trustees. We have addressed the matter regarding legal liability. The Trustees have acted in a fair and reasonable manner by holding the relevant owners responsible for a cost that falls to their account, rather than requiring all owners to contribute towards the maintenance of an area that is the responsibility of individual owners.
Best regards,
MA
Maleeka A's updateReviewer Update
14 Apr 2025, 11:21Was it fair to remove the burglar bars without our knowledge? And then slap us with a bill around 6 months later?
You have not once communicated to us that the burglar bars required maintenance and that it will be on our account. You only sent us comms once the invoice because 'overdue'. Which we had no knowledge of.
When the window maintenance was done on all upper floors, this was taken from the reserve levy which we ALL pay towards. Why when maintenance was needed there, they did not have to pay?
As you said, if the burglar bars is each individuals responsibility, why were we not sent formal comms about our property being removed?
You have not once communicated to us that the burglar bars required maintenance and that it will be on our account. You only sent us comms once the invoice because 'overdue'. Which we had no knowledge of.
When the window maintenance was done on all upper floors, this was taken from the reserve levy which we ALL pay towards. Why when maintenance was needed there, they did not have to pay?
As you said, if the burglar bars is each individuals responsibility, why were we not sent formal comms about our property being removed?
MA
Maleeka A's update14 Apr 2025, 11:21
Reviewer Update
Was it fair to remove the burglar bars without our knowledge? And then slap us with a bill around 6 months later?
You have not once communicated to us that the burglar bars required maintenance and that it will be on our account. You only sent us comms once the invoice because 'overdue'. Which we had no knowledge of.
When the window maintenance was done on all upper floors, this was taken from the reserve levy which we ALL pay towards. Why when maintenance was needed there, they did not have to pay?
As you said, if the burglar bars is each individuals responsibility, why were we not sent formal comms about our property being removed?
You have not once communicated to us that the burglar bars required maintenance and that it will be on our account. You only sent us comms once the invoice because 'overdue'. Which we had no knowledge of.
When the window maintenance was done on all upper floors, this was taken from the reserve levy which we ALL pay towards. Why when maintenance was needed there, they did not have to pay?
As you said, if the burglar bars is each individuals responsibility, why were we not sent formal comms about our property being removed?