Owners respond to allegations
Mrs Helen Thuso said the property, owned by her mother, is currently not operating as a guesthouse as per claims by the residents.
The owners of a Bedfordview guesthouse, accused of non-compliance, have denied allegations leveled against them by their neighbours.
This follows the article; “Guesthouse a nuisance – residents”, published by the NEWS on September 9.
In the article, neighbours demanded that the powers that be take action against the owners who they accused of disregarding bylaws.
Mrs Helen Thuso said the property, owned by her mother, is currently not operating as a guesthouse as per claims by the residents.
“When we bought this house, it was already run as a guesthouse by the previous owners. We hired the property out to a tenant who ran it as a guesthouse on condition that they would carry on with rezoning applications. As soon as we found out the tenant did not comply, we took over the property,” said Mrs Thuso.
She said this was done about two months ago.
Her husband, Mr Advie Thuso, said the family is working with the municipality to get the property zoned as a guesthouse before they can receive guests.
“For now we have three people living on the property. They have a long term lease with us,” he said.
One of the issues raised by the neighbours was the property’s lack of parking as well as alleged illegal buildings attached to the main house. Mrs Thuso said since taking back the property from the tenant, they have demolished the ‘outside room’ which she said was built by the previous owner.
She said, “We are also working with a town planner to increase the number of parking spots in the property. The existing carport will be taken down to accomplish this.”
During the NEWS’ visit to the property, the rooms were vacant.
Mr Thuso said the family is following recommendations made by the council during a tribunal hearing called for by neighbours.
“We are doing our absolute best to comply. At this stage, however, it is unfair for anyone to label us as disregarding the law,” he said.
Asked what the status quo of the property is, Mrs Thuso said, “It is currently accommodating three people on a long term lease and not running as a guesthouse. As soon as we are given the green light by the council, we will reopen the guesthouse,” she said.
