Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa April/May 2019 | Page 16

LEGAL
The Proposed Rental
Amendment Act:
Cause for concern or a
positive move?
T
he Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999 governs
the relationship between landlord and tenant.
However, practical and statutory weaknesses
have made it difficult to enforce. Enter the
Rental Housing Amendment Act 35 of 2014. The
Amendment Act increases the rights of tenants and
obligations of landlords and firms up the rules regarding
inspections, deposits, the condition of a property and
what should be included in the lease.
While the long-anticipated Amendment Act is yet to
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APRIL/MAY 2019 SA Real Estate Investor Magazine
be gazetted, what is certain is that both landlords and
tenants will be required to comply with the provisions of
the Act within six months of it coming into effect.
Both landlords and tenants are therefore advised
to take the time to familiarise themselves with the
provisions of the Amendment Act.
Tenants: your rights are already protected by the
Rental Housing Act, common law, and the Consumer
Protection Act, but make sure you understand your
rights and obligations under the revised Act.