2012/01/13 07:51:39 AM Coetzee Posts: 1	We have reciently leased out one of our properties, the agent told us that all monies was paid etc, we handed keys to them only to find out that the agents have only received deposit, and not 1st months rent, admin fee etc as they said. The tenants never stayed in the house but all their furniture is in the house, the agent now wants to use the deposit paid for their commission and we wont be getting any rental income, the tenant is not a south african citizen and has been arrested at the border, the tenants wife now said we may sell the furniture etc, to recover some of the rental income. What I would like to know is may a deposit be used for commission and what happens to rental income we were supposed to receive? What steps can we take againt the agent/ agency ? Should this deposit not be becoming to us as we have lost a massive income.
	• permalink
2012/01/28 12:05:01 AM Marc Lunau Posts: 175	What does your mandate say? Is it the agents duty to collect the rent? I would assume that a decent agent would collect the rent and all other monies due at that stage BEFORE handing over the keys. How did the furniture get in there? If agent was supposed to collect rent and did not agent is in breach. On what grounds does agent want to get paid then? Get the permission to sell furniture in writing and make she the wife has the authorty to do so whcih is not teh case if all gear belongs to him. Either way cancel the lease for breach (non payment) and get a new tenant ASAP to avoid further rental loss. Its hard to say more as you only gave limited info. -- Investor and Property Manager with value add solutions www.houses4rent.co.za
	• permalink