Geduld couple scared for their health as flat is covered in mould
The couple have lived in the flat since 2003.
Johan and Riana Lecordeur are scared for their lives as their flat in Olympia Palms is filled with mould.
The couple, who have lived at Olympia Palms since 2003, have seen their flat slowly deteriorate over time.
“There is mould in the bedroom and the bathroom.
“My sinuses and lungs have been affected by this,” says Johan.
The couple allege that they were told by the metro that it will not renovate the flat for them until they have moved out.
Also read: Olympia Palms residents allege metro is charging them too much for low-cost housing
They allege that the metro is contravening the Rental Housing Amendment Act.
The Act makes it illegal for landlords to provide the tenants with a dwelling that is uninhabitable or to fail to maintain the premises they are leasing.Sherril Malherbe of Families Assist has tried to help the couple by getting the metro to fix their flat.
“I have been sent from pillar to post by the metro and nobody seems to want to help this family.
“What I find most disturbing is that a few metro employees have moved into Olympia Palms recently and their flats were fully renovated beforehand.
“Meanwhile Johan and Riana, who depend on disability grants, are forced to live in a flat with black mould, which is toxic.”
Also read: Metro responds to allegation of over-charging Olympia Palms residents
Most distressing for the couple is the metro’s refusal to let them live with their dog.
Riana has an emotional support dog (which is the same as a service dog) as recommended by her doctor, yet the metro allegedly insists that no pets are allowed in the building.
“The lease we have had all these years doesn’t have a clause in it that prohibits animals.
“My neighbours have even written letters saying that they don’t mind if I have a dog as it doesn’t trouble them and once alerted them to people trying to break into their car.
“I just don’t understand if they say my dog isn’t allowed.
“Does that mean that a blind person with a guide dog cannot live here?” asks Riana.
The metro failed to respond in time for publication.
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