AVOID IF YOU VALUE YOUR TIME, MONEY AND SANITY

If there was an option to give zero stars I would.

The psychological and emotional turmoil I experienced having to deal with these people, specifically Ashika Moodley- I’m not sure if she’s the sales agent or part of the Cohen Property Management.

On the 4th of March, our then landlord from Lanrose Pty Ltd informed us that the property had been bought by Cohen Properties and all transfere duties had been made. On the 5th our rental deposits including interest were transferred to Cohen Properties.

On the 9th of March, I received I WhatsApp text from Ashika Moodley who was said to be in charge for all things concerning the property going forward. She greeted and introduced herself, and further asked to come to the flat. I greeted back and told her that my housemate would assist her as I was home for a couple of weeks. My housemate and Ashika confirmed that the meeting had gone well.

Upon my arrival, I received 3 letters from Ashika from Cohen Properties, one that confirmed that our deposits were indeed transferred to them by our previous owner, introduction of the new landlords and their banking details and new references.

During the course of the month of March, my housemate and I decided that we wouldn’t buy electricity for that month because we were on 700 units- this was due to the constant electricity outages in PE- so we wouldn’t need more electricity. I informed her that we would only send the money for the rent excluding electricity. The reason for this was because with our previous landlord we sent the rent and the electricity money together so he could buy it for us at once. She rep**** saying that she wouldn’t be buying electricity for us going forward, we would have to do it ourselves. When the 30th of March came, I paid the rent exclusive of the electricity and sent her the pop. She texted me requesting the “outstanding balance”, and I rep**** telling her that, that R350 was solely for electricity. So if she wasn’t going to buy it for us, then I wouldn’t be able to send it. With these messages I attached my lease agreement that confirms that the extra R350 that she wanted was solely for electricity. What she also didn’t read carefully was that to prove that the money was solely for electricity, it was even amended on the lease and increased to R450 on its own.

It didn’t end there. My lease was send to expire on the 30th of April, and she had said she’d not be renewing our leases, so I was set to move out on the last day of the month and informed her about this. A week before vacating the property, she asked again when I’d be moving out and I told on the last day of the month.

On the last day of the month, I receive a text from her requesting an inspection on the 4th of May. I told her that I would not be able to attend it as I was expecting her to come on the 30th of April- the day I was moving out, as she had stated on her previous email. We agreed on 14:30, but I let her know that some of my belongings would still be in the property. She never pitched for the inspection, nor for picking up the keys to the property. Luckily, I could put them in a drawer and still manage to vacate the property. So I did that and informed her. She never rep****.

Two days later I requested for my deposit and told her that she had missed the inspection so I expected my full deposit. She texted on the 4th asking if I’m coming for the inspection that I clearly stated that I wouldn’t be able to attend on that day- but only the 30th which was initially agreed upon through emails. She further wrote me an email, telling me that I’d missed the inspection. Which was wild to me.

Realising that she would give me problems with my deposit, I filed a dispute with the Rental Housing Tribunal and asked my previous landlord for proof of transferred deposits for evidence sake.

A couple of days later, she contacted me asking for my banking details, and further said since I had not attended the inspection, I’d only receive my money after 14 days.

On the 21st of May, I received a call from my flatmate telling me to check my account balance and that they had paid. I did, but to my surprise there was a shortfall of R337.34. I texted her and thanked her for the deposit, and further asked why there was a shortfall. She said she’d get back to me.

Today on the 25th of May 2026, I sent another follow up email and WhatsApp message. She rep**** with a poorly written breakdown, which I asked her to interpret and she said I had been charged for the outstanding R350 for rent for April. I rep**** and asked how when I paid my rent and explained to her why I wouldn’t send the R350 as it was solely for electricity and she had clearly stated that she wasn’t going to buy us electricity going forward. I even supported this with proof of my lease.

Honestly, I’m tired of dealing with this woman. She has poor communication skills, doesn’t read contracts carefully and rushes over documents. Only for her to reply or ask something that she has already been told. I just want my money in full so I can be out of their face and business.

I’ll never even look the way of a property that is under the Cohen Property Management. Disgusting people!!!