FAIRLEIGH – After waiting more than four decades, residents of the Suryaville and Fairleigh municipal flats now demand a claim to the flats they live in.
In 2011, the MEC for Human Settlements, Ravi Pillay approved an amount of R12.5-million for the renovations of Fairleigh and Suryaville flats.
“A total amount of R4 337 376 was allocated for the repair and renovation of the Fairleigh flats by the Provincial Department of Human Settlements for this project,” said a municipal official.
While the municipality claimed the renovations had been completed, residents said the workmanship was of poor quality.
“As far as I know there is no outstanding renovations still to be done, aside from the contractor finalising the snag list that was submitted to them. Thereafter, the last and final payment will be released,” said the official.
Residents alleged the stairways were unsafe and refurbishments to the flats were substandard.
“They took out the good ceramic bath tubs and replaced them with plastic ones. Some have already cracked and are damaged,” said a Fairleigh resident.
Irate flat dwellers also expressed their concerns about the lack of service delivery.
“These flats are owned by the municipality; it is still responsible for refuse removal, cutting the grass and repairing burst pipes,” said an annoyed resident.
When asked when residents could expect to receive title deeds to the flats, a response from the municipality Communications department read:
“Yes indeed, all the residents of the Fairleigh flats will receive their title deeds; as a matter of fact they have all signed applications for the Extended Enhanced Discount Benefit Scheme (EEDBS) Programme.”
“We just want our title deeds, we have waited long enough. Some people have died not owning their own flats,” said a resident.
A municipality official said the municipality was not in a position to say when residents could expect to receive their title deeds.
“The residents of Fairleigh, through the body corporate will be totally responsible for maintenance of their respective flats. Once the flats are registered in their respective names, the building becomes private property and they will stop paying rent to the municipality, hence they will be responsible for maintenance of the flats at their own cost,” concluded the official.
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