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document.write("<div class=\"article_Comments\">USER COMMENTS >");
document.write("<h5>Protection needed, for sure!</h5>");
document.write("This is great news! Estate agents are certainly notorious for being unscrupulous and in tough time like these we renters need all the protection we can get.  Awesome!. Renting Riana");
document.write("<h5>Maybe you should try paying your rent on time</h5>");
document.write("Then you wouldn't need all that protection. As a victim of freeloading non-paying renters I speak from experience.. ps");
document.write("<h5>Unscrupulous tenants!</h5>");
document.write("I agree PS. Tenants need to pay their rent full stop. This is just like the protection that criminals have. What about the owner who relies on the rent payments and must suffer unduly and incur thousands of rand in costs to get his rightful money. Riana SHAME ON YOU! Just pay your rent!. Sam");
document.write("<h5>In Riana's corner</h5>");
document.write("We're in a recession and I'm sure Riana is one of a horde of tenants who are struggling to pay their rent.  Rent is something you 'owe', therefore it's good and fitting that estate agents should register as debt collectors before collecting debt.<br /><br />Of course tenants need protection! Why don't ps just register as a debt collector then he can get the rent from his so-called free loading tenants.  And this is IN NO WAY like the 'protection that criminals' have.  Sam, what 'protection' might that be?  What the hell are you on about? Struggling tenants (probably hundreds of thousands, if not millions of us) are NOT criminals.<br /><br />Sam, SHAME ON YOU! Just do what the law states: register as a debt collector then there's no problem!<br />. Christiaan");
document.write("<h5>Ridiculous!</h5>");
document.write("Dont be ridiculous Christiaan....you are obviously another one who doest pay. If you are struggling financially have the decency to move out! Cut your expenses. You are in that position due to your own over spending and over committing yourself financially and now everybody must feel sorry for you? Nonsense...the owner has every right to be paid.<br />Estate agents will now just emply the services of a debt collector and then watch out! They are not nearly as soft as we are.. Sam");
document.write("<h5>Be realistic</h5>");
document.write("Wow, other people can just be difficult and the Law is just getting too far sometimes. Tenants/People must just lower their standards of living. I am in Joburg and I have friends who work in Johannesburg CBD but they stay in Midrand, Mellville etc mention the so called high society surbubs but I am telling you they are struggling one is paying rent of R5200 (not bond rent.Whose fault is it? She is not handcuffed to stay there--there is Berea, Yeoville with cheap places not that I am marketting them. But people have to be realistic and live within their means. There is also township its clean, safe and sound move-out of the high class life if you don't afford. When will the LAW say that to the people? The Landlord has enough problems to deal with---He/ she never invited you (Tenant/ Rent payer), you were desperate looking for place to stay & you were told terms, fees & conditions so please make it easy for both parties Leave/ Move OUT whilst you still have good record!!!. Nomathemba");
document.write("<h5>Who needs rent collectors anyway?</h5>");
document.write("If the tenant doesn't pay, it's simple: remove all the doors for maintenance. I find they pay up or move out pretty quick.<br />Changing the locks is useful too.<br />At the end of the day, I say screw the system where I have to pay thousands of rands and waste months of time getting an eviction order. If you can't pay your rent, I can't pay my bills, so #### off.. Savvy owner");
document.write("<h5>I agree </h5>");
document.write("Nomathemba I agree with you!!!. .");
document.write("<h5>Tenants in SA are spoiled</h5>");
document.write("I've recently moved to Denmark and have looked for renting accommodation here. Just for your info: the usual deposit payable here is at least 3 months' rental, and it may go up to 6 months -- take it or leave it! Besides, by standard contract tenants are obliged to have the place re-decorated in condition at least as good as the one when they enter, and that must be done only by #registered craftsmen#. If not, their deposit gets applied at once. No crisis, no recession, no excuses -- no exceptions. I agree that defaulting tenants are criminals, because they are stealing from the owner, and in SA they are treated as softly as most of the other criminals in this country. And, that is why SA is in this sorry state of lawlessness. Such a pity  for this beautiful country. . Disappointed ");
document.write("<h5>This is a good law; win-win situation</h5>");
document.write("Not everyone who is struggling financially is in that position because of overspending, Sam.  Of course the owner has the right to be paid, but some corrupt agents are exploiting the situation by charging all kinds of weird and wonderful 'penalty fees'.  This law is good news and shouldn't be a burden on estate agents who aren't crooked.<br />And to Savvy Owner, you're NOT as savvy as you think!  Actually, you're a criminal and what you suggest is unlawful.<br />. Luan de Jager");
document.write("<h5>Protection for Tenants</h5>");
document.write("What about protection for property owners who have invested significantly in property and have to keep up maintenence and bond repayments regardless of the recession? On top of it my experience is defaulters stop payment totally, if they paid most or sum of the rent it would be a different story. . L_M");
document.write("<h5>SA not Denmark</h5>");
document.write("Comparing Denmark with SA is ludicrous!  There you have one of the richest and the most equal societies on the planet while we're not rich and just about the most unequal on earth.  How many well off renters will be able to afford six months' deposit, never mind the majority who are poor? And what about dishonest estate agents stealing from tenants? Are you proposing that tenants should have no rights or protection? Are all landlords angels?  All of you are missing the point: renters must still pay.  And if they don't, landlords WILL get their money.  Fact is, a minority of landlords necessitates a law like this.. Go Bafana!");
document.write("<h5>@Christiaan</h5>");
document.write("Since you believe so strongly in tenant rights perhaps you would like to refund me the money I lost from a non-payer - it worked out to about R25 000 including unpaid rent, unpaid utilities and legal fees to get him evicted. Cash, please, since I suspect that a cheque from a deadbeat like you would bounce pretty high.. ps");
document.write("<h5>Childish comment</h5>");
document.write("@ ps, So just because you lost money suddenly it's OK for estate agents to run free without any regulation?  Your comment is childish.  . Christiaan");
document.write("<h5>Luan, you're obviously a tenant, not an owner</h5>");
document.write("That makes you very biased. You've never experienced what it is like for someone to owe you thousands of rands, dodge your calls, avoid you and suck your money until there isn't any left, have you?<br /><br />For the record:<br />1. I never said it was a bad law (in fact, it may encourage managing agents to actually call owners who owe levies rather than send them repeated letters which makes them money and does nothing for the body corporate).<br />2. I am not a criminal. I say this because I have never yet had to follow through on my threats (the threat is usually enough, you see), but mainly because it isn't a criminal offence to maintain the property. In fact, it is not only my right, but also my obligation. And changing locks would be a civil offense - though if a tenant can afford to take me to court over it, then they can afford to pay my rent.<br />5. Landlords should necessarily outsource finding tenants. Meet the people yourselves and you'll soon identify who the good ones are and who are the slick talkers and dodgy ones who won't pay. I have been a landlord for many years and dealt with many tenants, and only ever had to \"throw out\" one of them. And throwing him out consisted of telling him to move out before I moved him out myself, which worked.<br /><br />So Luan - maybe you should try being on the other side of the fence before you judge others actions. <br />And get your facts straight.. Savvy Owner");
document.write("<h5>Unbiased opinion</h5>");
document.write("Savvy owner, since you're an owner YOU are biased as well.  I couldn't care less (I'm not a tenant or a landlord), just couldn't resist pointing out that you're a pot calling a kettle black…. Swiss");
document.write("<h5>no sorrow</h5>");
document.write("Funny how property owners who already have a home want special dispensation to recoup lost amounts on business deals. If you're renting out property you're a business so deal with any gain or loss as a business. The law will not and should not treat you as special beings while you repay second home loans which you could not afford in the first place relying on other peoples rent. You chose to make money on the property market..good. Welcome to the finance sector which is more work than my brothers wife's, cousin said I can make money this way and go breaking kneecaps otherwise.. business");
document.write("<h5>Unscrupulous Tenants Owners & Estate Agents</h5>");
document.write("The real point is, whoever owes money should pay it or move out. Most of us have had monetary problems, but we tend to stick our heads in the sand instead addressing the problem with owner. Most owners will give you some lee-way to sort out the problem. When there is no communication, thats when the problems start.<br />SINCE WHEN DID DEBT COOLECTORS SUDDENLY BECOME INNOCENT ANGELS? NOW THATS A REALLY SICK JOKE!<br />We all need to pay our debts or face the consequences.<br />We will never eradicate the greedy and unscrupulous so we need take care those in whatever manner will put them out of action.<br />I've been both tenant (evicted at that) and now homeowner but with little money and owing the council thousands. I am probably going to have sell my home because of debt. BE RESPONSIBLE ABOUT YOUR DEBT.. Richard");
document.write("<h5>Hello tenants just to keep you in the loop</h5>");
document.write("The house you are renting was not paid for CASH by some rich guy (in most cases). There is actually a bond to be paid on that property which you rent goes towards or even meets to PAY OFF that investment. Paying for what you use is MANDATORY and your are OBLIGATED to do so. It is not something you opt out of in tough times. Why must the owner fall into arrears and all the associated hassle because of you.. AJ");
document.write("<h5>AJ didn't read the article</h5>");
document.write("Oh my word, AJ! You contribute nothing to this discussion.  OBVIOUSLY it's mandatory to pay your rent.  No-one is saying the owner should fall into arrears because the tenant doesn't pay.  Where do you get this from, because this is NOT what the article says.  And by the way, if you own property (whether you pay it off or not) you ARE rich.. MJ RIP");
document.write("<h5>DEBT COLLECTORS</h5>");
document.write("As estate agents we feel responsible for our tenant's payments therefore we collect arrear rental.<br />But we do not charge fees most of the time.....<br />That ruling is just another way of people trying to earn money for nothing........they do not know the circumstances and when we have used debt collectors in the past we have found them to be extremely ineffective.. Sandi thompson");
document.write("<h5>The right solution for your collections</h5>");
document.write("An appropriate solution is needed to be implemented at the merchants' site to facilitate actioning and changes made to collection instructions. <br /><br />Debt collectors and merchants alike could possess this effective and extremely user friendly functionality. <br />Further info: info@paym8.co.za . PAYM8");
document.write("<h5>Why must I subsidise your rent, Mr, Freeloading Tenant?</h5>");
document.write("My tenant has lived in my fully furnished house for 6 months rent unpaid; no utilities paid; no garden service paid; no security service paid; when we finally got him evicted he left with my stuff and I have damages to the value of R128231.68 (bear in mind my house is my biggest asset and worth R790000)I am not a rich landlord, just a single woman trying to sell a property which I can no longer afford during tough economic times. Instead of repairing damages I could have paid another 16.3% off my bond. Why can I not collect my outstanding rent from this schmuck?  What gives a family the right to do this to another person?  There was so much urine and feaces in my carpets I had to have them removed. There were so many used condoms in my bedding left on the floors that nobody wanted to remove the trash. And you want me to sit back and find a debt collector?  You sure I must not find a hit man? What would you do if someone was not paying you what was due to you? I'm pretty sure you will be jumping up and down for YOUR money. Tenants are the worst breed of person in the world. I cannot understand why tenants think landlords \"owe\" them, wtf is wrong with you? You rent, you pay its as basic as that. I'll find a debt collector because they don't listen to excuses the way estate agents and I do and they have no heart but lots of muscle. So I dare you to rent my little house ######le. Sonjap");
document.write("<h5>Sonjap, landlord from hell</h5>");
document.write("Not so dear Sonjap, you are a very rude, unhappy person.  'Tenants are the worst breed of person in the world' (your quote).  SOME tenants might be bad apples, that's a fact.  But you are certainly rotten to the core! It's because of people like you that a law like this is necessary.  I'm sure those tenants did it on purpose, because YOU were their landlord!. Tenant Master");
document.write("<h5>@Tenant Master</h5>");
document.write("Get a life! You don't know me so until you've walked a mile down this tenant road with me, leave quietly........ Sonjap");
document.write("<h5>Mandatory payment</h5>");
document.write("See Sonjap's comments and many owners still lose months of unpaid rent simply to get rid of someone nevere mind find a new tenant. People take advantage of that situation, my comments were appropriate and in order.. AJ @MJ RIP");
document.write("<h5>Sonjap, the worst breed of person in the world</h5>");
document.write("Well Sonjap, YOU don't know ME.  I'm a tenant, always on time, care for the place like it's my own but you call me 'the worst breed of person in the world'!  I agree with Tenant Master.. Jackie");
document.write("<h5>BOTH tenants and landlords need the protection of the law</h5>");
document.write("I concur with AJ.  Landlords should be protected against tenants who take advantage.  They therefore still need their law.  However, tenants also need protection and now they have their law.  BOTH tenants and landlords need the protection of the law.. Judge Dredd");
document.write("<h5>FEEDBACK RE FREELOADING TENANT</h5>");
document.write("Just to update all of you (Tenant Master & Jackie too)I contacted a Debt Collector earlier in the week. He and the Sheriff went to the ex-tenant's place of work, handed him the writ of Execution; accompanied him to his new (rented)house, attached everything he owns, including the BMW, braai and patio furniture; guess what? he is in arrears at the new house as well and he has only been there 2 months. The Estate/Rental Agency would not have gone the debt collector route, so my reading the article gave me a (legal)route for collecting the arrears.  The total cost only R175.00; granted the lawyer had already issued summons etc. but there's a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Apparently, according to the Credit Act, whatever balance is left on the outstanding debt after all his stuff has been auctioned will still have to be serviced by this man and he has been blacklisted on the ICTs. I don't feel good about the way things are going, but I guess I have to accept that that's the law, and like many of you pointed out, it protects all parties. Thank you, I LEARNED FROM THIS DISCUSSION. Sonjap");
document.write("<h5>Protection is needed but both ways.</h5>");
document.write("I dont think Estate agents need to become debt collector, however they need to have some set fee structure to protect the tenants. But to force agents to become debt collectors or hand over every tenant who falls in arrears over to debt collectors is not in the tenents best interests, the tenant now have to deal with a third party for the arrears and the estate agent for all current rent, surely this is going to meen even more fees and costs to the tenants and more head akes for the Landowners. Therefore I thing rental arrears should still be collected by Estate agents but there fees to do so should be prescribed by law just like it is for Debt collectors and Estate agents should have more powers available to them to enable them to collect arrears renatal more speedy, 6 mounths to be able to get a court order to evict non paying tenants is just crazzy, agents need more power and backing from the law to enable them to remove non paying tenants within 30 days. Why must landlord carry the debts of non paying tenants? Landowners also have rights.. Bradley");
document.write("<h5>Happy agents</h5>");
document.write("I think this is great news for Estate agents, currently more agents only charge 10% of the rent/arrears once collected, therefore forcing them to register as debt colletors is great news, now they can charge tenants that are in arears for every phone call, sms, letter and consoltation and still charge the 10% collection fee, this is wonderfull for agents but not so great for the tenants out there who are going to end up paying a hell of a lot more.<br />Maybe if all estate agents become debt collectors this will give them more powers under the law to collect from non payers and give them more powers to evict and remove non payers. WIN WIN for both the estate agents and landlords. LOSS LOSS for the tenants in arrears and current debt collecters.. BSL");
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