A house in Mitchells Plain has become the object of a tug of war between two families after it was rented out illegally.
Nadeema Samsodien, 49, said she and her family of six rented the 29 Ashbrooke Crescent property in Morgen Village four months ago from pensioner Suzanne Nicholson.
But now face eviction after finding out that the two-bedroom maisonette was not supposed to be rented out as it is owned by the Cape Town Community Housing Company (CTCHC).
“We moved into the house at the end of March after my husband Zainodeen Taliep and Suzanne reached an agreement and since then we have given R15 000 in rent and a security deposit of R6000,” says Nadeema.
“But now we face living on the street because this house was rented out illegally and we have no other place to go.
“We only found out a month ago when the owner came to tell us that we must pay the water bill which was not part of the agreement, so I investigated it and found out that the house was part of the CTCHC and we got a notice to say we must leave in 30 days’ time.”
On Saturday, Nadeema said Suzanne tried to forcibly move into the house which resulted in damages to doors and the front gate, but she denies it.
Suzanne tells the Daily Voice: “They are lying, I did not try to force my way into the house and I did not cause any damage to the house or call people to hurt them.
“I made a mistake to rent the house out as I did not understand what was said in the contract.
“I got a letter that proves I own the house and the CTCHC told me that I have until the end of this month to move back into the house, otherwise they will cancel my contract.
“I do not work and needed money so that is why I rented the house out.”
She has also refused to reimburse the deposit, claiming the couple owes her money for water and rent.
Nadeema said she wants the CTCHC to help because they have nowhere to go.
However, David Masimila, general manager of CTCHC, says Suzanne must sort out the issue or face losing her home.
“Ms Nicholson is a client of the CTCHC and letters have been sent out for the matter to be resolved in 30 days, otherwise legal action needs to be taken,” he says.
“Clients are allowed to rent out a room but they must stay on the property.”