RESIDENTIAL TENANTS RIGHTS IN SOUTH AFRICA: [an Article by: Umhlanga Durban Attorney – Fawzia Khan]
On 4 October 2017, I was a guest speaker on a community radio station, answering questions on the rights of residential tenants. I share some of the points covered during the radio talk show. In South Africa, the rights of residential tenants are covered by a number of different legislation such as the Rental Housing Act, The Rental Housing Amendment Act, the Consumer Protection Act as well as the common law.
All these laws seek to protect the rights of the tenant. Once a lease agreement has been concluded, the tenant has the right to occupy the leased premises undisturbed, the right to privacy and the right to be consulted on issues affecting the tenancy, such as any repairs or renovations to be made on the leased premises and so on. There is a misconception that if the landlord sells the property, then the tenant has to re-negotiate another lease with the new owner. This is not allowed in our law.
The tenant’s does not lose his right to occupy the property when there’s been a change in ownership. The new owner simply steps into the shoes of the previous landlord and is required by law to honour all the terms of the old lease.
The Original, Full article can be Viewed here: → https://www.findanattorney.co.za/content_tenants-rights