Sandak Lewin Trust
2.7|71 reviews
RF
Rhoda F
1 reviews | Active since Member
24 Dec 2025, 10:35
Discriminatory Service & Emergency Abandonment - Times Square Unit 314
December 24, 2025 - URGENT INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE
Sandak-Lewin Trust has systematically ignored Times Square Unit 314 for 2+ years:
- Missing exterior vent(BC accepted to install, but it is still unresolved), causing mould (2 years unresolved), very unhappy tenants - Blocked external drain (6+ weeks, email simply ignored) - Managing agent Vanessa closes tickets without resolution - Emergency number unattended during holidays - CEO mobile (+27 082 474 3238) switched off - Main office (021 419 0440) closed until January 5 with NO emergency service - Emergency sectional title number completely unattended
Meanwhile, units owned by board members receive immediate attention. This is discriminatory treatment and a complete abandonment of service during holidays when urgent infrastructure issues arise.
Filing CSOS complaints against both the Body Corporate and the managing agent for negligent practices.
AVOID THIS COMPANY - They abandon clients during emergencies while prioritising board member properties.
Pattern confirmed by other reviews - months of being ignored is their standard practice.
Helpful (0)
Replies (168)0
Replies (168)Sandak Lewin Trust's replyOfficial
29 Dec 2025, 17:51Hi Rhoda,
We have confirmed with the Trustees that when you were a Trustee, as well as being the owner of the affected apartment, you were tasked to manage the process of the vent replacement. This included obtaining quotes and presenting them to your fellow trustees for approval. Once approved you were to manage the installation.
However we have confirmed that you scheduled the work and sent an invoice to be paid without the approval or any clarity on what amounts would be for your account and what would be the Body Corporate responsibility. There is email confirmation on record where you agreed on the process and then did not implement it.
The Trustees are of the opinion that it is in fact your lack of action that has resulted in the matter being resolved.
In terms of Sandak Lewin offices being closed, the physical office is closed but we have a standby team that is working throughout this period dealing with all matters during office hours as well as emergencies after hours. If you had followed the prompts on the automatic message you would have been connected to either of the four standby managers.
Your rating of our service is unwarranted and we would suggest a meeting of all affected parties, yourself, the Trustees and a representative of our offices to resolve this matter.
We have confirmed with the Trustees that when you were a Trustee, as well as being the owner of the affected apartment, you were tasked to manage the process of the vent replacement. This included obtaining quotes and presenting them to your fellow trustees for approval. Once approved you were to manage the installation.
However we have confirmed that you scheduled the work and sent an invoice to be paid without the approval or any clarity on what amounts would be for your account and what would be the Body Corporate responsibility. There is email confirmation on record where you agreed on the process and then did not implement it.
The Trustees are of the opinion that it is in fact your lack of action that has resulted in the matter being resolved.
In terms of Sandak Lewin offices being closed, the physical office is closed but we have a standby team that is working throughout this period dealing with all matters during office hours as well as emergencies after hours. If you had followed the prompts on the automatic message you would have been connected to either of the four standby managers.
Your rating of our service is unwarranted and we would suggest a meeting of all affected parties, yourself, the Trustees and a representative of our offices to resolve this matter.
Best regards,
Sandak Lewin Trust's reply29 Dec 2025, 17:51
Official
Hi Rhoda,
We have confirmed with the Trustees that when you were a Trustee, as well as being the owner of the affected apartment, you were tasked to manage the process of the vent replacement. This included obtaining quotes and presenting them to your fellow trustees for approval. Once approved you were to manage the installation.
However we have confirmed that you scheduled the work and sent an invoice to be paid without the approval or any clarity on what amounts would be for your account and what would be the Body Corporate responsibility. There is email confirmation on record where you agreed on the process and then did not implement it.
The Trustees are of the opinion that it is in fact your lack of action that has resulted in the matter being resolved.
In terms of Sandak Lewin offices being closed, the physical office is closed but we have a standby team that is working throughout this period dealing with all matters during office hours as well as emergencies after hours. If you had followed the prompts on the automatic message you would have been connected to either of the four standby managers.
Your rating of our service is unwarranted and we would suggest a meeting of all affected parties, yourself, the Trustees and a representative of our offices to resolve this matter.
We have confirmed with the Trustees that when you were a Trustee, as well as being the owner of the affected apartment, you were tasked to manage the process of the vent replacement. This included obtaining quotes and presenting them to your fellow trustees for approval. Once approved you were to manage the installation.
However we have confirmed that you scheduled the work and sent an invoice to be paid without the approval or any clarity on what amounts would be for your account and what would be the Body Corporate responsibility. There is email confirmation on record where you agreed on the process and then did not implement it.
The Trustees are of the opinion that it is in fact your lack of action that has resulted in the matter being resolved.
In terms of Sandak Lewin offices being closed, the physical office is closed but we have a standby team that is working throughout this period dealing with all matters during office hours as well as emergencies after hours. If you had followed the prompts on the automatic message you would have been connected to either of the four standby managers.
Your rating of our service is unwarranted and we would suggest a meeting of all affected parties, yourself, the Trustees and a representative of our offices to resolve this matter.
Best regards,
RF
Rhoda F's updateReviewer Update
02 Jan 2026, 15:27Dear Hellopeter Community, RE: CORRECTION OF FACTS - SYSTEMATIC INCOMPETENCE FROM CEO TO MANAGING AGENTS I need to correct the misleading response from Carl Smith, CEO of Sandak-Lewin Property Trust, which demonstrates the exact pattern of incompetence I initially complained about.
THEIR RESPONSE PROVES MY POINT - FACTS ARE MIXED UP AGAIN
WHAT THEY DID (AGAIN):
CORRECTING THE RECORD - WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED
ISSUE 1: BLOCKED DRAIN (November 8, 2025) ( WHICH WAS NEVER ADDRESSED IN THIS REPLY BY THE CEAO CARL)
ISSUE 2: DEAN'S VENT WORK (Separate matter entirely)
SYSTEMATIC INCOMPETENCE - FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
CEO LEVEL CONCERNS: As an executive coach, I observe that effective CEOs typically ensure full fact-checking before public responses.
MANAGING AGENT FAILURE:
TRUSTEE LEVEL FAILURE:
FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THEIR INCOMPETENCE
ISSUE 2: DEAN'S VENT WORK (Separate matter entirely) This contractor was recommended by Vanessa, and I've asked on numerous occasions for her to get the invoicing sorted - no response. R3,000 CONTRACTOR REFUSAL TO REFUND:
ESCALATION DUE TO INCOMPETENCE
FORCED TO ESCALATE BECAUSE:
NEXT STEPS:
THE REAL ISSUE - SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT FAILURE
This isn't about one maintenance problem. This is about:
When property owners pay:
When CEO intervention is required, property owners expect significantly higher leadership standards. Having trained international CEO leaders professionally, I observe concerning gaps in basic executive accountability and fact verification processes.
HELLOPETER COMMUNITY - BE WARNED
If you're considering Times Square or any property managed by this team: RED FLAGS:
EXPECT:
My original Hellopeter complaint stands. Their confused response actually PROVES the systematic incompetence I'm complaining about. When a Body Corporate cannot keep basic maintenance facts straight, owners suffer financial and property damage consequences. That's precisely what happened here.
Rhoda Fenon
Times Square Unit 314 Owner
7+ weeks of unresolved external drain blockage
R3,000 paid for incomplete work due to BC communication failures
UPDATE: CSOS complaint filed for 7 weeks of blocked drainage maintenance negligence and managing agent incompetence.
THEIR RESPONSE PROVES MY POINT - FACTS ARE MIXED UP AGAIN
WHAT THEY DID (AGAIN):
- Mixed up the blocked drain issue with the vent work
- Confused two separate maintenance matters
- Blamed me for their managing agent's incompetence
- Failed to address Carl's inappropriate ticket closure
CORRECTING THE RECORD - WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED
ISSUE 1: BLOCKED DRAIN (November 8, 2025) ( WHICH WAS NEVER ADDRESSED IN THIS REPLY BY THE CEAO CARL)
- FACT: External drain blockage confirmed by plumber
- FACT: Located on the Body Corporate's communal property
- FACT: 7+ weeks of no response to maintenance request sent via email, plus two follow-up emails
- FACT: Vanessa's inappropriate and immature ticket closure without resolution
ISSUE 2: DEAN'S VENT WORK (Separate matter entirely)
- FACT: For weeks, I communicated with Vanessa, the managing agent, several times via WhatsApp and email. None of which she responded to.
- FACT: Emails included the BC managing team - as a previous trustee, when issues came via email, everyone would provide input, as it should be
- FACT: No one responded to multiple communications
- FACT: The vent work has two parts: the outside vent (BC account) and the inside connection (my unit account). Hence, the R3,000 payment, which the CEO Clark would have known if he had actually spoken to all the trustees, done his homework.
- FACT: My decision to pay R3,000 had absolutely nothing to do with BC - this was for my internal unit connection to the outside vent.
- FACT: Invoice for outside vent installation (BC responsibility) was sent to trustees for approval
- FACT: Instead of approval - ticket closed, no feedback, no follow-up
SYSTEMATIC INCOMPETENCE - FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
CEO LEVEL CONCERNS: As an executive coach, I observe that effective CEOs typically ensure full fact-checking before public responses.
- Public response appears to lack complete fact verification
- Limited oversight of the managing agent's performance is evident
- Quality control gaps in maintenance communications are observable
- Response pattern suggests insufficient internal process review
MANAGING AGENT FAILURE:
- Vanessa closes tickets without resolving actual problems - immature approach
- Mixed up facts about separate maintenance issues
- Multiple communications ignored - no responses to WhatsApp or emails
- Unprofessional ticket closure instead of following the standard trustee approval process
TRUSTEE LEVEL FAILURE:
- Cannot distinguish between different maintenance requests
- No acknowledgement of my maintenance email
- No follow-up or communication for 7+ weeks
- No follow-through - blocked drain ticket simply closed by Vanessa
- Defensive responses instead of problem-solving
FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THEIR INCOMPETENCE
ISSUE 2: DEAN'S VENT WORK (Separate matter entirely) This contractor was recommended by Vanessa, and I've asked on numerous occasions for her to get the invoicing sorted - no response. R3,000 CONTRACTOR REFUSAL TO REFUND:
- Contractor recommended by Vanessa - I've asked on numerous occasions to get invoicing sorted - no responses
- The contractor is refusing a refund despite the inspection being conducted, but work is stalled due to BC not making a decision
- Work abandoned due to BC's lack of response - now I'm being punished because the contractor won't issue a refund
- Paid for internal unit connection only - my responsibility, my decision
- Outside vent installation (BC responsibility) - invoice sent to trustees for approval
- BC ticket was closed instead of processing their portion
- My payment is entirely separate from BC's obligation for outside work
- Contractor using BC's administrative failures to justify keeping payment for incomplete work
- 7+ weeks of property damage risk
- External pipes = Body Corporate responsibility
- Drainage blockage now has to be maintained by tenants due to BC's negligence
- Could lead to expensive emergency repairs if ignored
ESCALATION DUE TO INCOMPETENCE
FORCED TO ESCALATE BECAUSE:
- Multiple communications via WhatsApp and email were completely ignored
- Vanessa's immature ticket closure, instead of a proper trustee approval process
- CEO Carl Smith provides no oversight of agent performance
- Complete breakdown of basic property management protocols
NEXT STEPS:
- CSOS complaint for maintenance negligence
- Bank dispute for incomplete contractor work
- Demand the replacement of the *********** managing agent
THE REAL ISSUE - SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT FAILURE
This isn't about one maintenance problem. This is about:
- ❌ CEO failing to oversee the quality of the managing agent quality
- ❌ Managing agent closing tickets without resolution
- ❌ Trustees unable to track separate maintenance issues
- ❌ Complete breakdown of basic property management
When property owners pay:
- ✅ Management fees to the CEO's company
- ✅ Levies for maintenance
- ✅ Additional costs for contractor work
- ✅ Professional communication
- ✅ Accurate record-keeping
- ✅ Competent maintenance management
- ✅ Basic ability to keep facts straight
- ✅ Service delivery standards that haven't declined over the past decade
When CEO intervention is required, property owners expect significantly higher leadership standards. Having trained international CEO leaders professionally, I observe concerning gaps in basic executive accountability and fact verification processes.
HELLOPETER COMMUNITY - BE WARNED
If you're considering Times Square or any property managed by this team: RED FLAGS:
- Cannot distinguish between different maintenance issues
- Close tickets without resolving problems
- Mix up basic facts in owner communications
- The CEO provides no quality oversight
- The managing agent acts unprofessionally
EXPECT:
- Confused responses to legitimate maintenance requests
- Additional costs due to their administrative failures
- Need for external escalation (CSOS, bank disputes)
- Frustration with basic property management incompetence
My original Hellopeter complaint stands. Their confused response actually PROVES the systematic incompetence I'm complaining about. When a Body Corporate cannot keep basic maintenance facts straight, owners suffer financial and property damage consequences. That's precisely what happened here.
Rhoda Fenon
Times Square Unit 314 Owner
7+ weeks of unresolved external drain blockage
R3,000 paid for incomplete work due to BC communication failures
UPDATE: CSOS complaint filed for 7 weeks of blocked drainage maintenance negligence and managing agent incompetence.
RF
Rhoda F's update02 Jan 2026, 15:27
Reviewer Update
Dear Hellopeter Community, RE: CORRECTION OF FACTS - SYSTEMATIC INCOMPETENCE FROM CEO TO MANAGING AGENTS I need to correct the misleading response from Carl Smith, CEO of Sandak-Lewin Property Trust, which demonstrates the exact pattern of incompetence I initially complained about.
THEIR RESPONSE PROVES MY POINT - FACTS ARE MIXED UP AGAIN
WHAT THEY DID (AGAIN):
CORRECTING THE RECORD - WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED
ISSUE 1: BLOCKED DRAIN (November 8, 2025) ( WHICH WAS NEVER ADDRESSED IN THIS REPLY BY THE CEAO CARL)
ISSUE 2: DEAN'S VENT WORK (Separate matter entirely)
SYSTEMATIC INCOMPETENCE - FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
CEO LEVEL CONCERNS: As an executive coach, I observe that effective CEOs typically ensure full fact-checking before public responses.
MANAGING AGENT FAILURE:
TRUSTEE LEVEL FAILURE:
FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THEIR INCOMPETENCE
ISSUE 2: DEAN'S VENT WORK (Separate matter entirely) This contractor was recommended by Vanessa, and I've asked on numerous occasions for her to get the invoicing sorted - no response. R3,000 CONTRACTOR REFUSAL TO REFUND:
ESCALATION DUE TO INCOMPETENCE
FORCED TO ESCALATE BECAUSE:
NEXT STEPS:
THE REAL ISSUE - SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT FAILURE
This isn't about one maintenance problem. This is about:
When property owners pay:
When CEO intervention is required, property owners expect significantly higher leadership standards. Having trained international CEO leaders professionally, I observe concerning gaps in basic executive accountability and fact verification processes.
HELLOPETER COMMUNITY - BE WARNED
If you're considering Times Square or any property managed by this team: RED FLAGS:
EXPECT:
My original Hellopeter complaint stands. Their confused response actually PROVES the systematic incompetence I'm complaining about. When a Body Corporate cannot keep basic maintenance facts straight, owners suffer financial and property damage consequences. That's precisely what happened here.
Rhoda Fenon
Times Square Unit 314 Owner
7+ weeks of unresolved external drain blockage
R3,000 paid for incomplete work due to BC communication failures
UPDATE: CSOS complaint filed for 7 weeks of blocked drainage maintenance negligence and managing agent incompetence.
THEIR RESPONSE PROVES MY POINT - FACTS ARE MIXED UP AGAIN
WHAT THEY DID (AGAIN):
- Mixed up the blocked drain issue with the vent work
- Confused two separate maintenance matters
- Blamed me for their managing agent's incompetence
- Failed to address Carl's inappropriate ticket closure
CORRECTING THE RECORD - WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED
ISSUE 1: BLOCKED DRAIN (November 8, 2025) ( WHICH WAS NEVER ADDRESSED IN THIS REPLY BY THE CEAO CARL)
- FACT: External drain blockage confirmed by plumber
- FACT: Located on the Body Corporate's communal property
- FACT: 7+ weeks of no response to maintenance request sent via email, plus two follow-up emails
- FACT: Vanessa's inappropriate and immature ticket closure without resolution
ISSUE 2: DEAN'S VENT WORK (Separate matter entirely)
- FACT: For weeks, I communicated with Vanessa, the managing agent, several times via WhatsApp and email. None of which she responded to.
- FACT: Emails included the BC managing team - as a previous trustee, when issues came via email, everyone would provide input, as it should be
- FACT: No one responded to multiple communications
- FACT: The vent work has two parts: the outside vent (BC account) and the inside connection (my unit account). Hence, the R3,000 payment, which the CEO Clark would have known if he had actually spoken to all the trustees, done his homework.
- FACT: My decision to pay R3,000 had absolutely nothing to do with BC - this was for my internal unit connection to the outside vent.
- FACT: Invoice for outside vent installation (BC responsibility) was sent to trustees for approval
- FACT: Instead of approval - ticket closed, no feedback, no follow-up
SYSTEMATIC INCOMPETENCE - FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
CEO LEVEL CONCERNS: As an executive coach, I observe that effective CEOs typically ensure full fact-checking before public responses.
- Public response appears to lack complete fact verification
- Limited oversight of the managing agent's performance is evident
- Quality control gaps in maintenance communications are observable
- Response pattern suggests insufficient internal process review
MANAGING AGENT FAILURE:
- Vanessa closes tickets without resolving actual problems - immature approach
- Mixed up facts about separate maintenance issues
- Multiple communications ignored - no responses to WhatsApp or emails
- Unprofessional ticket closure instead of following the standard trustee approval process
TRUSTEE LEVEL FAILURE:
- Cannot distinguish between different maintenance requests
- No acknowledgement of my maintenance email
- No follow-up or communication for 7+ weeks
- No follow-through - blocked drain ticket simply closed by Vanessa
- Defensive responses instead of problem-solving
FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THEIR INCOMPETENCE
ISSUE 2: DEAN'S VENT WORK (Separate matter entirely) This contractor was recommended by Vanessa, and I've asked on numerous occasions for her to get the invoicing sorted - no response. R3,000 CONTRACTOR REFUSAL TO REFUND:
- Contractor recommended by Vanessa - I've asked on numerous occasions to get invoicing sorted - no responses
- The contractor is refusing a refund despite the inspection being conducted, but work is stalled due to BC not making a decision
- Work abandoned due to BC's lack of response - now I'm being punished because the contractor won't issue a refund
- Paid for internal unit connection only - my responsibility, my decision
- Outside vent installation (BC responsibility) - invoice sent to trustees for approval
- BC ticket was closed instead of processing their portion
- My payment is entirely separate from BC's obligation for outside work
- Contractor using BC's administrative failures to justify keeping payment for incomplete work
- 7+ weeks of property damage risk
- External pipes = Body Corporate responsibility
- Drainage blockage now has to be maintained by tenants due to BC's negligence
- Could lead to expensive emergency repairs if ignored
ESCALATION DUE TO INCOMPETENCE
FORCED TO ESCALATE BECAUSE:
- Multiple communications via WhatsApp and email were completely ignored
- Vanessa's immature ticket closure, instead of a proper trustee approval process
- CEO Carl Smith provides no oversight of agent performance
- Complete breakdown of basic property management protocols
NEXT STEPS:
- CSOS complaint for maintenance negligence
- Bank dispute for incomplete contractor work
- Demand the replacement of the *********** managing agent
THE REAL ISSUE - SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT FAILURE
This isn't about one maintenance problem. This is about:
- ❌ CEO failing to oversee the quality of the managing agent quality
- ❌ Managing agent closing tickets without resolution
- ❌ Trustees unable to track separate maintenance issues
- ❌ Complete breakdown of basic property management
When property owners pay:
- ✅ Management fees to the CEO's company
- ✅ Levies for maintenance
- ✅ Additional costs for contractor work
- ✅ Professional communication
- ✅ Accurate record-keeping
- ✅ Competent maintenance management
- ✅ Basic ability to keep facts straight
- ✅ Service delivery standards that haven't declined over the past decade
When CEO intervention is required, property owners expect significantly higher leadership standards. Having trained international CEO leaders professionally, I observe concerning gaps in basic executive accountability and fact verification processes.
HELLOPETER COMMUNITY - BE WARNED
If you're considering Times Square or any property managed by this team: RED FLAGS:
- Cannot distinguish between different maintenance issues
- Close tickets without resolving problems
- Mix up basic facts in owner communications
- The CEO provides no quality oversight
- The managing agent acts unprofessionally
EXPECT:
- Confused responses to legitimate maintenance requests
- Additional costs due to their administrative failures
- Need for external escalation (CSOS, bank disputes)
- Frustration with basic property management incompetence
My original Hellopeter complaint stands. Their confused response actually PROVES the systematic incompetence I'm complaining about. When a Body Corporate cannot keep basic maintenance facts straight, owners suffer financial and property damage consequences. That's precisely what happened here.
Rhoda Fenon
Times Square Unit 314 Owner
7+ weeks of unresolved external drain blockage
R3,000 paid for incomplete work due to BC communication failures
UPDATE: CSOS complaint filed for 7 weeks of blocked drainage maintenance negligence and managing agent incompetence.
Sandak Lewin Trust's replyOfficial
07 Jan 2026, 13:14Hi Rhoda
This matter is on going with the trustees and yourself via email and we therefore will no longer engage via this platform.
With regards to ticket closures, we have dealt with this issue and staff member internally.
This matter is on going with the trustees and yourself via email and we therefore will no longer engage via this platform.
With regards to ticket closures, we have dealt with this issue and staff member internally.
Best regards,
Sandak Lewin Trust's reply07 Jan 2026, 13:14
Official
Hi Rhoda
This matter is on going with the trustees and yourself via email and we therefore will no longer engage via this platform.
With regards to ticket closures, we have dealt with this issue and staff member internally.
This matter is on going with the trustees and yourself via email and we therefore will no longer engage via this platform.
With regards to ticket closures, we have dealt with this issue and staff member internally.
Best regards,