Evictions are a hard reality for SA landlords. Under the PIE Act, the process is regulated and often misunderstood. What are the biggest mistakes landlords make and how should they act lawfully, fast, and protect their cash flow?
Question
Evictions are a hard reality for SA landlords. Under the PIE Act, the process is regulated and often misunderstood. What are the biggest mistakes landlords make and how should they act lawfully, fast, and protect their cash flow?
Answer by Elize & Armand
Evictions are not just about getting a tenant out, they’ re about protecting a landlord’ s investment and ensuring every step is legally watertight. The biggest mistake landlords make under the PIE Act is waiting too long. Acting within days, not months, after a breach makes all the difference.
The longer you delay, the deeper the arrears and the weaker your case becomes. Issue a proper breach and cancellation notice as soon as the default occurs, this preserves your right to recover rent and possession.
A second critical error is using non-compliant notices or trying to shortcut the process with“ DIY evictions.” Only the courts and the Sheriff can lawfully remove a tenant.
Any form of self-eviction, cutting utilities, changing locks, or intimidation, can result in criminal charges or damages claims. Every notice, from breach to cancellation, must be correctly worded, dated, and provable.
Landlords also underestimate timelines. Even an unopposed eviction can take 12- 18 weeks; if opposed, four to nine months or longer. Budgeting for this and acting early keeps cash flow predictable. Lastly, failing to keep dated records, payment history, communication, lease copies, often sinks otherwise valid cases.
Landlords who treat eviction management as a professional process, not a personal battle, win more often and faster. Partnering with a specialist like Xpello, which offers compliant notices, legal oversight, and cover against losses, can turn a nightmare eviction into a controlled, strategic recovery.
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