Elderly man fears an uncertain future

A desperate and vulnerable elderly man faces an uncertain future as the retirement home he lives in hikes his rent by 25%.

Alan Barsdorf (84) has lived at the Methodist Homes Montgomery Haven retirement village for 18 years and is worried he will soon be evicted.

“I pay just over R5 000 from my R6 000 pension from the mines. Because of my pension, I am not entitled to receive a Sassa grant. The leftover R900 is what I live on with a little help from others in the village.”

He received a letter from management saying his rent is being increased by 25% leaving him angry and terrified for his future.

“R6 350 is just not feasible for me to absorb. I don’t know how the Methodist Homes can authorise such a steep increase – how is it legal to put these kinds of pressures on the elderly? I know others who have left here die within six months, so I can’t go anywhere. I am too old; I am not well, and I am scared.”

He says if no amicable solution can be identified, he assumes he will be put out on the street.

“The manager is so stern and mean and does not want to engage meaningfully with me, so I have just withdrawn but I am desperate – that’s why I called the Northcliff Melville Times.”

Lorna Somers, manager of the estate, has a slightly different take on the case.

“We are very sensitive to the fact that many residents are financially stretched, however rental increases are necessary to enable us to continue to maintain the level of care for our residents. We are aware that increases are higher than inflation but given that our major cost drivers are employment costs, municipal costs and third-party costs, we have no choice but to adjust our rental charges accordingly.

“The increases have therefore been adjusted to bring rentals of similar type units to the same level.”

Of Barsdorf’s case she says, “Alan has, for some years, been paying a lower rental than incoming residents with the village absorbing this shortfall. After careful consideration, the board has determined this increase as necessary to ensure equality to all our residents and to ensure the sustainability of the village.”

She says various attempts to discuss his situation have not materialised due to his non-attendance.

A letting agent who would not comment on the record said she thought a 25% increase in rent sounded like ‘insanity’.

Not too far away is the state-run Eeufees Oord Retirement Village in Westdene. Of the 40 units, half remain vacant despite an ever-growing list of people desperate to find somewhere to live.

Eeufees Oord

Resident Aubrey Crowder says, “There are so many desperate people; it is an absolute disgrace. People are told that the units cannot be used because they need to be refurbished, but several have been and yet they remain empty.”

When this journalist investigated the issue at Eeufees Oord previously, Patrick Phophi, executive director for the Department of Human Settlements said, “The department is still busy with the procurement of a service provider to undertake the works, improvement and upgrades, and is anticipating having them on-site as of mid-February 2023.”

No further comment was received from the department for this article.

The Department of Human Settlements has a Housing Rental Tribunal that resolves disputes between landlords and tenants in residential dwellings. It is an alternative to costly court action. The Tribunal has the power to summon a landlord or tenant to a mediation or tribunal hearing.

Details: 011 630 5035 or visit www.dhs.gov.za

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