‘Harassed’ tenants offered help
Legal Aid says landlord’s subdivision of flats could be challenged in court
Legal Aid South Africa has offered to assist the tenants of 52 Hopkins Street in Yeoville, Johannesburg.
The tenants have accused their landlord of being abusive.
About 12 families who rented flats at The Hive claimed they suffered abuse and harassment from John Sherriffs.
The tenants had their electricity cut by their landlord and their homes entered without permission, and most had their flats subdivided into three to accommodate more tenants.
Consumer Line visited the flats on Wednesday after two tenants complained Sherriffs had violated their human rights and changed the terms of their lease agreement without communication.
Thuli Hlabisa, 45, said that in February last year Sherriffs sent his builders to subdivide her flat into three, leaving her without a bathroom and a kitchen. She said he also expected her to pay the full rent of R2 600 even though she no longer enjoyed full use of her flat. Sherriffs also switched off her electricity even though she has a prepaid meter – on the grounds she had not paid the full rent after he subdivided her flat into three.
“I will not pay a full amount when I now live in a place which is no longer suitable for human habitation,” Hlabisa said. Her daughter gave birth a week ago and they had to sleep in a cold flat.
Agnes Twala said this has torn her family apart as her two children had to look for alternative accommodation after Sherriffs reduced her flat.
“I was at work when he broke into my flat to subdivide it and I could not cook that night as the kitchen and the other bedroom formed part of the new flat,” Twala said. Her geyser was also removed.
Twala’s bill showed she paid between R800 and R1 300 for water each month.
Ntokozo Ncwane, 21, said they had their toilet removed after her mother made an arrangement to reduce their arrears by paying an extra R100.
“We were shocked when we came back from work to discover that Sherriffs had removed the door and the toilet without a court order.”
She said Sherriffs also instructed his people to partially lift the roof of their flat, making it a problem when it rains.
Sherriffs did not deny or admit he violated the rights of his tenants. He said the right forum to deal with their complaint is the Gauteng department of local government and housing. “We believe that we can resolve the matter between us. Should you contact the Rental Housing Tribunal, it would be appreciated if you could kindly keep me informed,” Sherriffs said.
Janeske Botes of Legal Aid SA said the tenants have the right to approach and ask the court to order the landlord to restore the use and enjoyment they had prior to his actions.
Botes said Legal Aid can assist them if they do not have the funds to appoint private legal representation.