Homeowner conned by elderly couple
Using many excuses to avoid paying rent, the couple eventually disappeared overnight.
A LOCAL homeowner warns fellow landlords of an elderly couple who previously rented his Beach Road flat and for months avoided payment.
Using many excuses to avoid paying rent, the couple eventually disappeared overnight still owing some R30,000 in rent money.
The elderly couple of 61 and 63-years-old from Fourways in Johannesburg, began renting a flat in Beach Road, Amanzimtoti some six months ago.
“They paid rent for the first two months hassle-free,” said the flat owner, Ravi Naidoo.
For the following four months that the couple lived in the flat, payment was avoided with many excuses.
“The male had a medical condition and often this was used as an excuse,” said Naidoo. “The couple were apparently waiting for money from a road accident fund to come through. Other excuses included money being held by SARS as well as money that was on its way from their daughter in the UK.”
Out of the goodness of his heart, Naidoo continued to let the elderly couple stay, making himself to believe that these excuses were factual.
“I continued to give the couple till the end of the month to pay, then would move it to the fifth of the following month,” said Naidoo. “Eventually, on Tuesday, 5 September I went to the flat to demand answers to find the place cleaned out. The couple had packed up and left overnight. Both of their contact numbers were unreachable.”
Naidoo went on to open a case of fraud.
“This isn’t about the money,” explained Naidoo. “I have always been a patient, understanding person and like to think of myself as kind. I continued to blindly believe the lies that this couple told me only to have them pack up and leave the home I supplied them with for six months, overnight, without a word. This is exactly the kind of act that makes the community untrusting and unwilling to help.”
Naidoo hoped that his unfortunate experience with these tenants instills caution into fellow landlords and homeowners. Others renting property are urged to be aware of the elderly couple.
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