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Letters to the landlord and the bank — business premises looted or damaged
Letter A — to the landlord
BY EMAIL [AND HAND DELIVERY / REGISTERED POST]
From (tenant): [BUSINESS NAME] — represented by [FULL NAME], [CAPACITY]
[ADDRESS OF THE LEASED PREMISES] · [CELL NUMBER] · [EMAIL]
To (landlord): [LANDLORD'S NAME OR COMPANY] [/ MANAGING AGENT: ___]
[ADDRESS] · [EMAIL]
[CITY], [DATE]
Subject: Damage to the leased premises at [ADDRESS] on [DATE] — notice and request about rent
Dear [NAME]
What happened. On [DATE], during public violence in [AREA, CITY], the premises I lease from you under the lease dated [DATE OF LEASE] were [BROKEN INTO AND LOOTED / DAMAGED / DAMAGED BY FIRE]. The following parts of the building were damaged: [SHOPFRONT GLASS, ROLLER DOOR, CEILING, ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION, ___]. Photographs are attached.
Police and insurance. The matter was reported at [POLICE STATION], CAS number [NUMBER]. I have notified my insurer ([INSURER], claim number [NUMBER]) for my stock, equipment and tenant's fittings. Please notify your building insurer [, including its Sasria cover,] for the structure, and let me have your claim number so that the assessors can coordinate.
Use of the premises. Since [DATE] I [CANNOT USE THE PREMISES AT ALL / CAN USE ONLY ABOUT ___ % OF THE FLOOR AREA / CAN TRADE ONLY ___]. I expect this to last until [DATE / THE REPAIRS ARE DONE].
Repairs. Please confirm which repairs you will carry out under the lease ([CLAUSE ___]) and when. I have done only urgent work to secure the premises: [BOARDING UP / TEMPORARY LOCK], invoices attached.
My request. I ask that you agree in writing to [A REDUCTION OF THE RENT BY ___ % / NO RENT] for the period from [DATE] until the premises can again be used fully, [OR: A DEFERRAL OF THE RENT FOR [MONTHS] TO BE REPAID IN ___ INSTALMENTS FROM ___]. [IF THE LEASE HAS A CLAUSE ON DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION OF THE PREMISES, REFER TO IT: «Clause ___ of the lease provides that ___.»]
Please reply by [DATE]. I am available to meet at the premises with you and the assessors.
Yours sincerely
______________________________
[FULL NAME], [CAPACITY], [BUSINESS NAME]
Letter B — to the bank
To: [BANK] — [BUSINESS BANKING / RELATIONSHIP MANAGER: NAME]
[BRANCH OR EMAIL]
From: [BUSINESS NAME], account number [ACCOUNT NUMBER], loan / facility number [NUMBER]
Represented by [FULL NAME], [CAPACITY] · [CELL NUMBER] · [EMAIL]
[CITY], [DATE]
Subject: Request for temporary relief on [LOAN / OVERDRAFT / VEHICLE FINANCE] — business premises looted on [DATE]
Dear [NAME]
On [DATE], during public violence in [AREA, CITY], our business premises at [ADDRESS] were [LOOTED / DAMAGED / SET ON FIRE]. Stock and equipment worth about R[AMOUNT] were stolen or destroyed. Police case: [POLICE STATION], CAS number [NUMBER].
The business has been [CLOSED SINCE [DATE] / TRADING AT ABOUT ___ % OF NORMAL]. An insurance claim (including Sasria cover) was notified to [INSURER] on [DATE], claim number [NUMBER]. Expected payment: [DATE / NOT YET KNOWN].
We ask the bank to consider, for [NUMBER] months:
- [A PAYMENT HOLIDAY ON THE CAPITAL / CAPITAL AND INTEREST OF LOAN ___];
- [A TEMPORARY INCREASE OF THE OVERDRAFT TO R___];
- [RESTRUCTURING THE INSTALMENTS TO R___ PER MONTH UNTIL ___].
We will repay [FROM THE INSURANCE PAYMENT / FROM TURNOVER AFTER REOPENING ON ___]. A cash flow forecast for the next 3 months is attached.
Please do not list the account as in arrears while this request is being considered, and let us know which documents you need.
Yours faithfully
______________________________
[FULL NAME], [CAPACITY], [BUSINESS NAME]
Attachments (both letters): photographs; police statement and CAS number; insurer's acknowledgement of the claim; [CASH FLOW FORECAST — BANK ONLY].
BEFORE YOU SEND — delete this part
Read your lease first: look for clauses on «damage», «destruction», «insurance», «repairs» and «rent remission». They decide who repairs what and whether rent is reduced.
Do not simply stop paying rent or the loan: ask in writing, and keep the reply.
A bank payment holiday is not automatic. It is a request; interest may continue to run. Ask the bank to confirm the terms in writing.
Keep your insurance deadlines: police within 48 hours; written notice to your insurer within 30 calendar days of the event; full details within 60 calendar days (Sasria wordings 2026).
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