Holding back the deposit from the tenant
Q: A deposit of R4800 was given when a one year lease was signed. About three months after that, the lock on the sliding door was broken on a Saturday night, a locksmith was called and a quotation was given of R3070 to replace the lock because the locksmith did not have the correct lock with him, he only opened the broken lock, I was told only the next morning what happened, I suggested that a separate lock must be used on the front gate to secure the place and R3070 is much to spend on the replacing the broken lock. Now after 6 months the tenant decides to move out, from the R4800 deposit, R2800 was for commission for getting a new tenant, (this was in the lease agreement). I informed the tenant I will replace the broken lock. The total cost of it was R1000. The tenant was willing to pay the R3070 initially, must I reimburse the tenant the R1000 or must I claim the R2070 from them.