Central Property Developments
Rental Deposit not paid back

I rented a Flat in Naturena Complex called South Gate Ridge and was requested to pay a Deposit equivalent to rent which I did. When I moved out I was informed that I breached the contract by moving out earlier than one year I was going to stay there. Mind you they accepted a month notice period. NOW they are holding the Deposit saying that is for marketing fee to get a new tenant into the unit.

This was not mentioned to me when I signed the lease. While I agree I might have signed a document agreeing to this, BUT this cannot be legal as stated by Mr. Shevelew (Marlon Shevelew and) below. This we got from Ms. Karen Key from The LAW REPORT programme.

My issues are:
1. The mere fact that they agreed to month notice and said my deposit will be released, they are implying that a month is sufficient to be able to get a tenant replacement.
2. That they said they will release my deposit since I gave them month notice and now reneging
3. They are holding my deposit "hostage" in lieu of the marketing fee.
4. My other issue is that there is no way one can verify that the said Deposit was indeed used to get a tenant for a particular Unit.

Should it be legal that I owe them

Company: Central Property Developments
Country: South Africa
City: Jonnanesburg

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