Property

[Procyon69]

Can a landlord/leasing agent install electricity & water meters halfway through the month without any notice (verbal or written) & leave a tenant with no water & lights for the remainder of the month??

 

[f2wohf]

Illegal, that's an unfair practice.

You have the right to access municipal water and electricity.

https://www.privateproperty.co.za/advice/property/articles/landlords-and-electricity/459

 

[Procyon69]

Agreed, thanks for your response!! Is the installation of meters without any notice also illegal??

 

[f2wohf]

Agreed, thanks for your response!! Is the installation of meters without any notice also illegal??

No, except if they have to enter the premises in which case they should warn you.

Section 4(2) reads: A tenant has the right, during the lease period, to privacy, and the landlord may only exercise his or her right of inspection in a reasonable manner after reasonable notice to the tenant.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

Not sure what the law says but i reckon your landlord is a naai and taking his chances.
I would seek pro advice from a lawyer.
No one may/can cut off basic needs of water/electricity !
Unless it is our new government known as ANC that invented the word 'Load Shedding' Yes ANC, that phrase Load Shedding wasn't there in the previous century.
Goodluck @Procyon69 and I hope you get this sorted

 

[bwana]

Why would installing meters leave you without water/electricity?

Either way, the month is over.

 

[Procyon69]

This happened in May of 2018.. We were 8 days away from payday & what little cash we had left for the month was for petrol to get to & from work & food for myself, my girlfriend & her 5 year old child!! We could not afford the water & lights costs..

 

[Procyon69]

No, except if they have to enter the premises in which case they should warn you.

Section 4(2) reads: A tenant has the right, during the lease period, to privacy, and the landlord may only exercise his or her right of inspection in a reasonable manner after reasonable notice to the tenant.

What if there is a verbal agreement with the previous leasing agents/landlords that rent is inclusive of water & lights?

 

[Thorium]

spoliation order

 

[f2wohf]

What if there is a verbal agreement with the previous leasing agents/landlords that rent is inclusive of water & lights?

Then it's an unilateral change of the provisions of the lease which they can't do without your agreement.

 

[Procyon69]

Then it's an unilateral change of the provisions of the lease which they can't do without your agreement.

I thought as much!!