Evicting a Tenant vs an Unlawful Occupier: What Property Owners Must Know
South African landlords often make one critical mistake: treating every occupier who refuses to leave a property the same. The law clearly distinguishes between a tenant and an unlawful occupier, and confusing the two can derail the entire eviction process. The starting point is simple: does the person have lawful consent or a legal right […]
When your tenant ‘does a duck’
Everyone who has let out property knows that sickening feeling when you find out that your tenant has disappeared. Most of the time there are signs usually unpaid or late paid rental. Some tenants plan to go without paying, while others just cannot pay. What should you do? Check on any municipal accounts, especially water […]
Landlord and tenant inspections
The Rental Housing Amendment Act, section 4B (4) and (5) determines that the tenant and property owner must jointly, before the tenant moves into the dwelling, inspect the dwelling for any defect and damage. It further determines that the same procedure must be followed when the tenant vacates the property, and this inspection must be […]