Comments on: Letting Agent Isn’t Passing On Rent To Landlord

By: Kathleen Jardim

Kathleen Jardim — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 08:36:14 +0000

Marlene,

Just Letting Northgate is a franchise operation and the franchisor is the Just Property Group. I got in touch with one of their directors, john (john@justpropertygroup.co.za) and it was only through his assistance that I was able to walk away with the contract terminated, the deposit and rent up to date (even though that took a while) and a statement of recon, listing excatly what had been paid and also the steep fees that I had paid every month to JL to manage the property. I now have a superb letting agent who charges half the amount and gets the rent in before the 2nd.

Best bet is to put pressure on the franchisor – I found them on the web, think it was http://www.justproperty.co.za.

kath

By: The Landlord

The Landlord — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:56:29 +0000

Hey Marlene, The problem with the industry is that there isn't much regulation. However, if your letting agent is registered with an approved redness scheme, you can take matters further. Follow this link for more details: Use Letting Agents That Are Registered With An Approved Redress Scheme For Consumer Protection. Kind regards

By: Marlene van der Wath

Marlene van der Wath — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:48:04 +0000

Your experience with Just Letting sounds like my story, I have searched the web for others with complaints and found a lot. I have terminated my contract with Just Letting at Nortgate but I want them to be stopped! They should not be allowed to run a service for rentals. They still have not aknowledged my e-mails to confirm that our contract is cancelled. They never produced any statements in the 9 months I had the misfortune of dealing with them, and never ever returned any calls, and lied blatantly about when the payed in my rent. I want them up and out! Consumers should be protected against agents like this. Shameful!!! Is there a body or board of some kind that I can lay a complaint to about this agency? Not fair to have them give letting agents a bad name!

By: K Fitzpatrick

K Fitzpatrick — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:54:17 +0000

I terminated Just Letting’s services for the very same reason. Every month rents are paid over very, very late. Now, in the notice period I am struggling to get the last months rent in – it’s more than 3 weeks late – the tenants paid as they always do and I’m worried about their deposit. Just Letting Northgate wont return my calls or reply to my emails…..

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:18:25 +0000

Just found out that as my tenants bond was insured by TDSL otherwise known as mydeposits, the agents or landlords keep the tenants deposit. TDSL act a mediator if anything goes wrong, but TDSL arent paying out to the tenant as they say I am fully liable for the deposit and obviously still around. The company is useless and making money from joining fees from agents. Basicaly, I have been screwed by the agents and that TDSL doesnt really serve much function. The tenants deposit isnt safe with your agent if they go bust and they have kept it. The safest option is to either keep the bond yourself or join the custodial scheme. Bastards….

By: The Landlord

The Landlord — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:22:00 +0000

Hey Jon,

You’re still bound by the agreement if the company is still trading. From what I understand, it still is…

When you say “bond”, i’m assuming that you’re referring to a tenancy deposit scheme, right? If so, then a third party will be holding those funds, and that money will be safe. You should find out what kind of scheme the money is tied up in, and find out which company was appointed to handle it…

Please keep me informed.

Kind regards

By: jon

jon — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:55:48 +0000

I thought that bonds in secured accounts can be retrieved? is not that the idea of having it placed in a secured account so that it does not fall in the wrong hands?

By: jon

jon — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:42:38 +0000

I also was dealing with a letting agency with my property, when i was not paid last months rent i immediately phoned the office, only to be redirected to an accountants. Although I questioned the accountants was not told anything about the company, but checking various web site found out the letting company was going through liquidation. I did manage to get through to the manager of the office (by Mobile) and was asured that i would get my money (still waiting?).On finding out this information i went and spoke to my tenant and told them not to pay anymore money to the agency and has also agreed to continue with the let but is also worried about his bond. now the question is am i liable for their bond? even though its in a secured account? am i still bound by the agreement with the agency?

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:04:21 +0000

I also have a property which was let through a letting agent.

The letting agent has done a runner and shut shop. I am now owed one months rent plus the deposit as they held it and insured it with TDLS. As a landlady I am still liable for the deposit, which I dont have.

The tenants are now withholding rent as they say that we have their deposit.

Its makes me sick that people can screw you around and I have no rights.

It would be good to hear your thoughts on my situation.

thanks