Concerned tenants at a retirement village at Dreyersdal Park in Bergvliet say they can no longer live under the constant housing increases enforced by a social housing non-profit company called Communicare. Ten elderly residents met with VOC News outside the complex to discuss their complaints, on the condition that they remain anonymous. The tenants feared being victimised or even evicted for speaking out against Communicare.

Many of the concerns centred around the housing increases, which they claim had initially agreed to be 30% of their monthly income. Majority of the tenants are state pensioners and only received around R1400 a month, with rent already taking away around 80% of that amount.

Tenants ranging from between seventy and ninety years of age, stood outside the complex, and told VOC News that they often have no money left to purchase groceries.

“I have never been scared to put the stove on and cook food before. Now, we have to work so sparingly with our electricity. Evenings are terrible because we are not able to warm our rooms with a heater. This is not how we expected to live at this age,” *Sharon October said.

Tenants claim Communicare is utilising the services of an alternative utility supplier to Eskom, which does not allow them to benefit from the free electricity units when purchasing a certain amount of electricity from Eskom.

“When it comes to the time of the month when we receive our pension, I am not excited like everyone else. For me, I just get my pension and have to hand it over again. There is very little to nothing left for me after they deduct my rent fee. I have to borrow food from my neighbours,” *Andrea Pietersen explained, struggling to hold back tears.

Other complaints centre around the development of new parking bays, which tenants claim are not necessary and adds to the rent increases. All these complaints stem from collective understanding that they feel neglected.

“We want Communicare to consider the old people and come on board to provide us with help. We need assistance, we are retired people. I just come from the bank now to pay my rent. If I am a day late and pay on the third, we get a lawyers letter which we have to also pay for. We don’t get any grace period here,” *Gerard Jaftha explained.

“This is supposed to be ‘Communi-care’. That name should be changed to ‘Communi-dont-care’. We are still waiting for them to get back to us. Our complaints are not being followed u.”

Speaking to VOC News, Communicare representative, Ashraf Jamie, said many of the claims were regarded as a usual occurrence from the elderly tenants.

“All Communicare tenants are made aware of the query or complaint logging process during their induction. The process is that they should contact the relevant area office to report the query or complaint, following which they will receive a reference number that will allow them to track progress on the matter.

“Therefore if a complaint has been reported to the area office and a reference number has been provided to the tenant, then Communicare would be aware of it and be in a position to follow up. Unfortunately if tenants do not strictly adhere to this process, then we will not be knowledgeable about their complaints,” Jamie said.

Tenants claim this process offers very little information on whether or not Communicare is actually aware of the concerns brought forward. The tenants in question have been residing at the complex for over five years.

“All complaints are dealt with on a case by case basis. Therefore if Communicare has provided the tenant with a reference number for the complaint, then the complaint will be addressed,” was Jamie’s response when asked whether or not Communicare addressed any of the said complaints.

Meanwhile, Jamie added that Communicare is aware that each elderly person has unique circumstances but will treat each case based on its merits.

“It is a fact that the majority of Communicare’s elderly tenants, all based in the Western Cape, benefit from significantly lower rentals than what is charged in the broader local property market.”

No specifics were mentioned to the situation at the Dreyersdal Park. VOC News had been informed of these concerns from elderly residents in 2014 but at the time, Communicare refused to comment.

On its website, Communicare states it has more than 80 years of experience in the renting business. Currently they manage 3600 rental units, the largest owner of rental stock in the Western Cape. The company claims its rental charge is the cheapest per square meter for persons or households earning between R2500 and R7500.

Complainants have now contacted John Adams from the Tenants and Community Organisation who has offered to provide support in legal steps going forward. VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)