The Deposit Trap
They want you to accept their list of deductions for "wear and tear," hoping you don't know that specific procedural errors can legally forfeit their right to touch a cent of your deposit.
Facing a Landlord Illegally Withholding Your Deposit or Charging Massive Cancellation Fees?
Get your facts reviewed by an Admitted Attorney and receive a custom Legal Strategy Document for a flat fee of R500. Know exactly where you stand before you accept illegal deductions or walk into the Rental Housing Tribunal.
Meet Your Attorney, Janine Swart:
Admitted Attorney of the High Court
15+ Years of Experience
LLB (UNISA) & Practical Legal Training (LSSA)
Get Your Written Action Plan
1
Submit your facts: Fill out the secure online form detailing your lease issue and upload your documents (lease, inspection reports).
2
Flat-fee payment: Pay the once-off R500 fee. No hidden costs.
3
Get your strategy: Receive your customized, written legal strategy document in your inbox within 3 business days.
Safe & Secure Checkout. No hidden fees or hourly billing. Strict privacy guaranteed.
The problem
Right now, the deck is stacked against you
Landlords and rental agents rely on you being frustrated, confused, and intimidated by the process. They use confusing lease clauses and procedural tricks to justify their deductions—while every message you send can be used against you.
The Early Cancellation
They want to hit you with a massive penalty fee, hoping you don't realize the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) limits what they can legally charge you.
The Maintenance Battle
They want to ignore your requests for essential repairs, banking on the fact that you can't afford a R2,500-an-hour legal retainer to fight back.
The solution
You Don't Need a Retainer, You Need a Strategy
You don't need to hire a lawyer to sit next to you just yet—but you absolutely need to know how to play the game. For a single, transparent fee of R500, I will review your facts and provide a custom Legal Strategy Document within 3 days.
Here is exactly how I level the playing field for R500. I review your lease and inspection reports, and within 3 days, I send you a written roadmap that gives you your power back.
The Deposit Trap
I will analyze your inspection reports to see if your landlord made a critical procedural error. If they missed one specific step required by the Rental Housing Act, they may have legally forfeited their right to touch a single cent of your deposit. I will tell you if this applies to you and exactly what to say to them.
The Cancellation Clause
I will translate the complex cancellation clauses in your lease so you know exactly what "reasonable penalties" they are actually allowed to charge you.
The Illegal Eviction
I map out what to document, how to preserve it, and how to escalate to the Rental Housing Tribunal without harming your case.
What you get
What is inside your Legal Strategy Document?
You receive a professional assessment distilled into one document: clear headings, plain language, and concrete next steps.
The Strength of Your Case
A blunt, professional "Reality Check" on whether your landlord has acted within the law, citing the Rental Housing Act and the CPA.
The Procedural Audit
A list of the exact technical mistakes your landlord or rental agent is making in your specific process (e.g., illegal deductions for wear and tear, missed inspection deadlines).
Your Tactical Roadmap
Step-by-step instructions on what to say, what to email, and what evidence to secure today to protect your deposit.
The "Don't Sign" List
Clear guidance on any documents you've been pressured to sign.
Key Legal References
The specific sections of the Rental Housing Act and CPA you need to use to speak with authority.
The Document Follow-Up
A one-time opportunity to request clarification via email strictly regarding the recommendations in your strategy. (New questions or documents require a new submission).
Why this flat fee?
Why is a real attorney only charging R500?
I keep the work narrowly scoped: you submit your facts, and I deliver a written strategy. You are paying strictly for my professional assessment, my 15 years of experience, and a written strategy.
Most people do not need a retainer and weeks of calls—they need a single, honest read and roadmap.
Important Scope & Refund Note
This service provides a written strategy based on the information you supply. It is not full representation, does not file documents for you, and does not represent you before the Rental Housing Tribunal or in court unless separately agreed. Refund eligibility, if any, is set out in the terms at checkout.
Why Me
Who is writing your strategy?
Admitted Attorney of the High Court
You aren't getting advice from an unregulated "consultant." You are getting a strategy built by a fully qualified legal professional. When I review your case, I apply the exact legal standards required by South African courts and the Rental Housing Tribunal.
15+ Years Experience
I haven't just studied property law; I've actively advised both landlords and tenants. I drafted notices to vacate for landlords and rental agencies, so I know exactly what legal risks your landlord's consultants are trying to avoid.
Document Drafting Authority
My experience drafting notices to vacate for landlords and rental agencies means I know exactly how to structure your facts so the Rental Housing Tribunal can act on them.
More insight
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely not. As an Admitted Attorney, everything you share with me is protected by strict attorney-client confidentiality. Your landlord will never know we spoke.
Once you submit your facts and the R500 payment is confirmed, I will review your file and email your custom Strategy Document to you within 3 business days.
You should upload anything relevant to your case, such as your lease agreement, incoming/outgoing inspection reports, and any written demands or deductions from your landlord or agent.
To keep the fee at a flat R500, this service is strictly document-based. This allows me to provide a thorough, written strategy you can refer back to without the high costs of hourly consultations.
No attorney can ethically guarantee a specific outcome. My role is to provide an expert assessment of your case, identify any procedural errors your landlord has made, and give you the most effective tactical next steps.
Submit the facts as you know them and upload what you currently have. If I need a specific document to complete your strategy, I will reach out to you directly.
I will tell you the truth. If your landlord has followed the law correctly, I will advise you not to waste your time or money on a losing battle. That clarity can save you months of unnecessary stress.
The R500 covers the written strategy so you know exactly where you stand. If you decide you need formal representation or further legal assistance later, we can discuss a separate mandate and fee structure at that time.
Payment is a once-off flat fee of R500 handled through a secure, encrypted gateway. There are no hidden costs, no hourly billing, and no surprise retainer fees.