Water and Electricity Deposit
Can an estate agent request a water and electricity deposit to be paid by a tenant, even though the account at the municipality is not in the tenant’s name. We also only receive an invoice monthly from the estate agent for water and electricity consumption. We have never even saw the bill from the municipality. I requested proof of our payments, but only received it once. We monthly took photo’s of both meters and submit to the estate agent.
Thanks.
Category: Property, Rental Matters
Region: South Africa, Freestate
1 Answer
Yes, it is the tenant’s duty to pay deposit for water and electricity irrespective of the name with which the accounts are held. Under common law, the tenant can demand receipt when making payment and should the landlord refuses, the tenant can refuse to make payment. Alternatively, the tenant can lodge a complaint with the Rental Housing Tribunal over an unfair practice.