Renting Query

J

Jester01

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Hi all,

Just a question, I am currently living with my in-laws. I pay a decent amount of rent to them each month, it helps them and saves me a little each month.

My father-in-law has a bit of a gambling problem and was subsequently unable to pay the full rent. I only found out about this, this evening... Now he says that the landlord is going to cut our electricity tomorrow unless we pay the shortfall...

I will cover it for him, my question though is, is that legal? The cutting of the power?

Regards,
Jester
 
Better read the lease. If there is a clause in there that states ALL services need to be paid, then he is entitled. If not, he will just have to be patient

I always install a pre-paid meter and supply a pre-paid phone to my tenants. Prevents nasty surprises like the landlord got.

Better do something about the gambling problem pronto. Next thing, Sheriff of the Court will have his eye on your car.


edit: Just thought! Is the money for the landlord, or another session at the casino?
 
chrisc4290 said:
Better read the lease. If there is a clause in there that states ALL services need to be paid, then he is entitled. If not, he will just have to be patient

I always install a pre-paid meter and supply a pre-paid phone to my tenants. Prevents nasty surprises like the landlord got.

Better do something about the gambling problem pronto. Next thing, Sheriff of the Court will have his eye on your car.

edit: Just thought! Is the money for the landlord, or another session at the casino?
Click to expand...

They are letting me pay it into his account so must be for the landlord.

Hmmm, they have lived here 14 years, need to find the lease :p
 
There was a discussion earlier this month about sectional titles cutting power for unpaid levies and that a court case ruled that it was illegal for anybody other than the electric utility to do so. I don't know if that applies to rented houses, but it is a base to start from.
 
no - the landlord cannot disconnect the electricity whatsoever. this belongs to the municipality and anyone tampering with it can find themselves in deep water.

this does sound a bit suspicious in my opinion. perhaps your father-in-law is trying to get money for his gambling habit. have you thought about that.
 
Celine said:
no - the landlord cannot disconnect the electricity whatsoever. this belongs to the municipality and anyone tampering with it can find themselves in deep water.

this does sound a bit suspicious in my opinion. perhaps your father-in-law is trying to get money for his gambling habit. have you thought about that.
Click to expand...

I went and paid it to the land lord myself. He confirmed that unpaid rent = removed electricity switch from the DB box in the complex...

So it is illegal?
 
Jester01 said:
I went and paid it to the land lord myself. He confirmed that unpaid rent = removed electricity switch from the DB box in the complex...

So it is illegal?
Click to expand...

Massively illegal and he could find himself in court for that...
 
xrapidx said:
afaik...Then again... I'd probably do the same... or throw non-payers out.
Click to expand...
Do you own properties that you rent out to tenants?
Do you know just how the (flawed) law prevents eviction of tenants?
I own 2 properties in Jhb which I rent to tenants. It is not at all easy to get rid of delinquent tenants without resorting to an un-named Nigerian bunch of professionals.
 
Used to, and will again come December. I'll resort to Nigerian tactics, don't believe in rights for scum.
 
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