The level four restrictions have left a number of people stuck in homes where the lease has expired, while others need to pay occupational rent for a property they cannot move to. Others are resorting to illegal measures to avoid financial penalties they simply cannot afford.
Property24 readers have poured out how distressing restrictions on Alert Level 4 of SA’s Risk Adjustment Strategy have been for them, over and above the total Lockdown process.
Jade Smith, who owns a nanny service and is unable to operate during Alert Level 4, says she is unable to continue paying rent from 1 June and needs to move urgently.
“I paid rent for May and have always paid on time. I cannot move my furniture and I gave notice as per my lease. However, my landlord says I need to pay storage using my deposit. Surely this is illegal and he cannot do this?” questions Jade.
Togieda Lamada is another reader finding herself in limbo, saying her life is a mess right now after selling her house as she waits for the registration of the property to be concluded.
READ: 'No moving rule really one-sided', say frustrated property owners under Alert level 4
'I'm fed up'
“The new owners want to renovate and I can’t afford occupational rent. I’m packed up and need to relocate to Gauteng to my husband. We have been apart as I stayed to conclude the house sale. My intention is to drive down, I have no furniture to move only a couple of boxes. Why will I not be allowed to go, why can't they test me before I leave and I will quarantine when I get to Gauteng. Is that too much to ask?
"I feel this lockdown is unfair and we are being treated as kids, I'm fed up. I want to move to my husband and not wait till government tells me when I can go. When will we reach level 3. My life is a mess now due to lockdown," says Togieda.
But Jade and Togieda are not alone in their dilemma.
Duncan Schulze, Branch Manager for Pickfords Cape Town says removal companies across South Africa are equally frustrated, as are their clients who expected to move during the travel window of Alert Level 4 of SA's risk adjustment Strategy to fight Covid-19.
“Nationally Pickfords had many bookings from clients to move after the initial lockdown period. When the lock down was extended our clients as well as Pickfords were hopeful that we would be able to start moving our clients from the 4th May,” says Schulze.
'Between a rock and a hard place'
“With level 4 lock down coming into effect and household removal companies not allowed to operate during this time, we are a little between a rock and hard place as our clients who look to us for guidance and ourselves have no indication of when we will be able to operate again. We receive bookings daily, and all the clients say as soon as you are able to operate, we need to move.
Schulze says government should have allowed the once off window to travel between 1-7 May to include “moves where houses have been sold and where leases have expired.”
There are many challenges owners and tenants are facing, including their diplomat clients he says.
“We are unable to clear and deliver their goods. Foreign nationals whose’ governments are providing flights out of south Africa are given 4 days’ notice prior to planes arriving for evacuations. If they are home owners, currently there is no way for them to arrange for their belongings to be packed up to empty the homes they are leaving behind.”
‘Many clients liable for occupational rent’
He also calls into question the backlog being created now that the deeds office has opened.
“This leaves new and old home owners in a serious predicament. They may be liable for occupational rent as well as new bond payments on new homes because they are unable to move. We have many clients in this situation.”
“We are unable to operate during level 4 lockdown. We as movers are well positioned to control the moving environment with adequate social distancing and making sure both employee and movee are safe,” says Schulze.
“In anticipation of hearing from government that household removals can take place, we have prepared our staff, offices, vehicles, warehouses with the necessary health and safety procedures, PPE, as well as new operating procedures that fall in line with COVID -19 safety requirement.
‘Safety measures and procedures already put in place’
These include daily temperature checks as well as a questionnaire as to status for all staff that report for duty.
“We have performed strict risk surveys in the workplace and I believe we are well set to start operating in the field.
“Since lock down has been in place, we have navigated challenges by doing virtual surveys, being accessible by e-mail, sending quotations. We also have a virtual receptionist that can answer any of your moving inquiries and put you in contact with any of our departments that are currently working from home like many other businesses.
READ: Covid-19 Alert Levels | Why are garden services being prioritised over residential property sales?
But right now Shulze says there is not much the company do about the many existing bookings they have yet to fulfill.
“We are however eagerly waiting on a date we can start operating. We are in constant contact with our clients, letting them know what we know and seeing how best we can accommodate everyone when household movers are able to operate again.”
Shulze says the best thing people stuck right now can do is to prepare themselves for the move to make the transition from point A to point B as seamless as possible, when moves are allowed to take place.
“Start obtaining quotations now, discuss your expectations with the removal companies."
He suggests prepping the home for your up and coming move by sorting and preparing each room. "If items are not going, separating this from the main goods moving, if you are packing that all items are packed and wrapped prior to us arriving.
“If you are contracting the removal company to do your packing, make sure that contents of cupboards are easily accessible and sorted. Do not try to do this on the day of the move.
Shulze says once moves are allowed, they are expecting regulations and strict sanitizing measures to be put in place.
"Clients should indicate an area that staff will be able to sanitise, as this will go a long way to adhering to cleanliness and hygiene to protect both the client and employee. Movees can start sanitising their furniture, like coffee tables, servers etc, but would not do lounge suites and upholstered furniture. As this may stain or mark if you are using alcohol based detergents.
He also expects limitations on the number of staff allocated to each move, which could impact the overall time to complete the process.
"Transport limitations of staff could result in it taking longer for our crews to arrive at residences to start. During this time of uncertainty, we implore clients to be as patient as possible as well, as we are trying to navigate a new norm.”
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