Very bad experience.

Very bad experience.

I found a two-bedroom apartment on Property24 in Polokwane that I was interested in renting. Although the apartment was a bit expensive for my liking, I had no choice but to apply as I urgently needed a place to stay.

I contacted RealNet Properties in Polokwane and was sent application forms to complete. I was also informed that I had to pay R450.00 before they would even consider my application. I was desperate, so I had to borrow the money from my boss in order to make the payment.

What disappointed me most is that RealNet did not even properly consider my application. I personally went to view the property together with another interested applicant. I was very eager to take the apartment, while the other person even commented that the property was far too small to rent out for R7,500.00 and suggested it should rather be rented for R5,000.00. Three days later, I contacted RealNet to follow up on my application, but nobody could assist me properly and I was simply told they were waiting on head office.

In the meantime, I app**** for another property through a different agency for a much bigger and nicer property, and I was approved the very same day. That agency did not charge me any upfront fees — they only requested payment after my application was approved.

When I asked RealNet for my R450.00 back, they refused and claimed the money was used for a credit bureau check. This makes no sense to me because it does not seem like they even reviewed my credit profile or seriously considered my application.

I feel that RealNet is unfairly taking people’s money without providing proper service or assistance.