Back | Back to top |
FAQ's |
+ MUST I PAY A DEPOSIT? Yes, if the landlord asks for one and it is stipulated in the lease. If the terms of your original agreement, whether oral or written, did not include a deposit, you need not pay one if the landlord asks you to do so later. Changes to an agreement are only valid if both you and your landlord agree to it. + WHAT HAPPENS TO MY DEPOSIT WHILE I'M LIVING ON THE PROPERTY? The landlord or his agent must keep your deposit in an interest-bearing account (or trust account, in the case of an agent) for the time you are living on the property. The full deposit amount, plus the interest earned, must then be returned to you when you move out less the costs of damages caused by you and any monies you may still owe to the landlord in terms of the lease. + WHAT MAINTENANCE MUST THE LANDLORD DO? It depends on what your lease says. Usually, a landlord maintains the outside of the property and a tenant the inside. + WHAT CAN I DO IF THE LANDLORD REFUSES TO MAINTAIN THE THINGS HE SAID HE WOULD? Lodge a complaint with the Rental Housing Tribunal. + CAN MY LANDLORD ENTER THE PROPERTY WITHOUT MY PERMISSION? Your landlord has a right to enter the property to perform routine inspections and so on, but only after letting you know well in advance to arrange a time that suits you. You do not have the right to deny him reasonable access. + CAN MY LANDLORD INCREASE MY RENT WHEN HE WANTS TO? No, the lease or verbal agreement determines when, and by how much, your rent can be increased. If the agreement does not specify an amount or date for an increase, the landlord has to negotiate the increase with you. Neither you nor your landlord can make changes to your original agreement without checking with the other party first. + BY HOW MUCH CAN MY LANDLORD INCREASE MY RENT WHEN I RENEW THE LEASE? This is specific to the renewal terms of your agreement. If your agreement doesn't specify a reasonable escalation, your landlord has to negotiate an acceptable rent with you. + WHAT CAN I DO IF MY LANDLORD SAYS I HAVEN'T PAID THE RENT WHEN I HAVE? It is your responsibility to make sure that your landlord receives the rent, so it will be up to you to provide proof of payment (for example, a bank deposit slip). If you can't, your landlord will be able to give you notice in terms of your agreement and seek a court order for eviction. It is your right, in terms of the Rental Housing Act (Act 50 of 1999), to insist on a receipt for all payments if your landlord does not automatically supply you with one. A receipt must contain the following information: The date of issue. The address of the property for which the payment is made. The reason for the payment (whether it's rental, arrears or a deposit). The period of the payment (for example, the month for which the rent will be paid). If your landlord refuses to give you a receipt, lodge a complaint with the Rental Housing Tribunal. + CAN MY LANDLORD TAKE MY POSSESSIONS IF I FALL BEHIND ON RENT? He has to obtain a court order first. Then the Sheriff of the Court will attach your property to the amount of the money you owe. If your landlord takes your possessions without a court order, it's theft and you should contact the South African Police and lodge a complaint with the Rental Housing Tribunal. + HOW CAN I END MY LEASE EARLY? It depends on the cancellation clause in your agreement. If there is no such clause, the only way you can end your lease early without being in breach of contract is if your landlord agrees to it or if your landlord is in material breach of the lease (for example, by failing to maintain the outside of the property, as agreed in the contract, and this makes it impossible for you to remain on the property. But you will have to prove this, though). You can still end the lease early in terms of the Consumer Protection Act [68 0f 2008]. Section 14 allows for the tenant to prematurely cancel a fixed lease [by given 20 business days notice] however it should be noted that the landlord may impose a reasonable cancellation penalty . It should be noted that this penalty amount should not be to punish the tenant but reflect reasonable costs in securing a replacement tenant. + CAN MY LANDLORD REFUSE TO RETURN MY DEPOSIT? A deposit is there to cover any money you may still owe your landlord, and/or the cost of repairs to any damage to the property, exceeding fair wear and tear, that you have caused. If your landlord retains your deposit and is unable to furnish you with proof of the costs he has incurred, you should lodge a complaint with the Rental Housing Tribunal. To prevent this, be sure to follow these steps: When you move in, inspect the property together and list, in writing, any existing defects. Both of you should sign this document and it must be attached to the lease agreement. When you move out, inspect the property together again. Compare the new list of defects with the list made earlier. You may be given a chance to repair the damage yourself, or you can agree that the landlord will do it. If the landlord does the repairs, you have the right to see all receipts for repairs paid for out of the deposit. If repairs cost less than the deposit plus the interest accrued, your landlord will have to reimburse you the difference. + HOW DO I CHECK A POTENTIAL TENANT'S BACKGROUND? Speak to the tenant's current landlord for a reference. It's also a good idea to speak to previous landlords, as the current landlord may give a good reference as a way to get rid of an unwanted tenant, and to get a letter from your tenant's employer to verify his permanent position and income. You can also do an ITC credit check (call TransUnion ITC on 0861 482 482 or visit www.transunionitc.co.za). + SHOULD I ASK FOR A DEPOSIT? Yes, it's a good idea to put it in the lease. Remember that the deposit must be put in an interest-bearing account for the duration of the lease and given back to your tenant, plus the interest it has earned, when the tenant moves out. If, however, your tenant still owes you money on moving out, or if the property has been damaged beyond normal wear and tear, you can use the deposit to pay for repairs or to cover the money owed to you. + WHAT MAINTENANCE MUST THE TENANT DO? It depends on what your lease says. Usually, a landlord maintains the outside of the property and a tenant the inside. + WHAT MAINTENANCE MUST THE TENANT DO? It depends on what your lease says. Usually, a landlord maintains the outside of the property and a tenant the inside. + BY HOW MUCH CAN I INCREASE RENT WHEN I RENEW THE LEASE? It depends on what it says in your contract. If your contract doesn't specify a reasonable escalation, you will have to negotiate an acceptable rent with the tenant. + WHAT CAN I DO IF MY TENANT HAS NOT PAID THE RENT ON TIME? Technically, your tenant is in breach of contract. Refer to the breach clause of your contract (or, in the case of a verbal agreement, the agreed on terms for termination) and act on it. If you don't have a cancellation agreement, it is good practice to write a letter giving your tenant seven days to pay, failing which you will cancel the lease. + CAN I TAKE MY TENANT'S POSSESSIONS IF THE RENT IS IN ARREARS? You will have to obtain a court order first. The Sheriff of the Court will then attach your tenant's property to the amount of the money due to you. If you take your tenant's possessions without a court order, it's theft. + CAN I ENTER THE PROPERTY WITHOUT MY TENANT'S PERMISSION? You have a right to enter the property to perform routine inspections and so on, but only after arranging with your tenant to do so at a reasonable time, and with reasonable notice. Your tenant does not have the right to deny you reasonable access. + CAN I CHANGE THE LOCKS AND LOCK MY TENANT OUT? No. That would be an illegal eviction. If you change the locks, you have to give spare keys to the tenant. + WHAT CAN I DO IF THE TENANT HAS DAMAGED THE PROPERTY? If you asked for a deposit, you can use the money to repair damages attributed to the tenant beyond normal wear and tear when the tenant moves out. Be sure to follow these steps: When your tenant moves in, inspect the property together and list, in writing, any existing defects - both should sign this and it must be attached to the lease agreement. When your tenant moves out, inspect the property together again, ideally no earlier than three days before the tenant moves out. Compare the new list of defects with the list you made earlier. You may give the tenant a chance to do the repairs personally, or you can agree that you will do it. Hold on to receipts for repairs paid for out of the deposit. Your former tenant has a right to see them. If repairs cost less than the deposit plus the interest accrued, you will have to reimburse your former tenant with the difference. Ask a question
|
Back | Back to top |
Hits to date: 20802
Kwikwap Website Consultant: Wendy intouchwithwendy@gmail.com / 0723257865 |
Copyright © 2019 RECOM Properties. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions
Website consultant: Wendy Email: intouchwithwendy@gmail.com Cell number: 0723257865 1. Introduction These are the general terms of the relationship between you (website visitor) and us (website owner). The terms cover all use of this website. You agree to the terms by visiting and using this website. 2. Definitions and interpretation 2.1 Definitions. In the agreement: terms means the terms, consisting of: these terms of use; and any other relevant specific terms, policies, disclaimers, rules and notices agreed between the parties, (including any that may be applicable to a specific section or module of the website); we, us, or our means RECOM Properties, the owner of the website. It includes our officers, agents, employees, owners, co-branders and associates where the terms limit or exclude our liability; you or your means any visitor to this website, including any other person, website, business or agent (including any virtual or robotic agent) associated with the visitor. 2.2 Conflict. If the meaning of any general term conflicts with any other relevant specific term, the specific term will apply. Specific terms apply to a specific section of the website or have been specifically agreed between you and us. 3. Use of this website 3.1 Licence. We grant you a limited licence to use this website on these terms. We may cancel your licence at any time for any reason. Your licence is automatically cancelled if you do not get our written permission before using this website in a way these terms do not allow. 3.2 Breach. If you breach any of the terms or infringe any other person's rights (including copyright), we may cancel your licence, block you from using the website, claim specific performance or damages against you and take any other steps the law allows, without affecting our rights. 3.3 Framing. You may not frame this website or any of its pages. 3.4 Linking. You may only link to the home page of this website. You may not deep link (link to any other page) or link in any way that could suggest that we endorse or support you, or that you have any rights in our website or intellectual property. 3.5 Virtual agents. You may not use any technology (including spiders, crawlers, bots and similar virtual agents) to search or gain any information from this website. 4. Your capacity 4.1 Capacity and agreement. You promise that you may visit this website and agree to the terms because you are: are at least 18 (or regarded as legally adult), and have the legal right and capacity to do so; or are not 18 yet, but have permission from your parent (or legal guardian) to do so. 4.2 Accurate information. You promise that you will give only accurate information to us and this website. 5. Intellectual property 5.1 Ownership. Except as provided to the contrary in the agreement, all right, title, interest, and ownership (including all rights under all copyright, patent, and other intellectual property laws) in, to or of this website are our sole property or will vest in us or a third party licensor. All moral rights are reserved. 5.2 Trademarks. Our logo and sub-logos, marks, and trade names are our trademarks and no person may use them without permission. Any other trademark or trade name that may appear on our marketing material is the property of its respective owner. 5.3 Restrictions. Except as expressly permitted under the agreement, the website may not be: modified, distributed, or used to make derivative works; rented, leased, loaned, sold or assigned; decompiled, reverse engineered, or copied; or reproduced, transferred, or distributed. 6. Limits to our liability 6.1 You use this website at your own risk. We provide the website `as is`. We do not give any express or implied warranty or make any other promise about this website. For example, we do not warrant that it is good quality, fit for any particular purpose, accurate, complete, up-to-date, legally effective or secure. We also do not warrant that it is free of latent defect, errors, malicious software or infringing content, or that you will have quiet or uninterrupted use of it. 6.2 You indemnify us. You indemnify (or promise to protect) us against any claim, demand, loss, damage, cost, or liability (including reasonable attorneys' fees) related to your use of this website. 6.3 Faults. We will do our best to fix any fault in this website as soon as reasonably practical after we find out about it. This is the limit of our responsibility and liability for any fault in the website. 6.4 Direct damages limited. If the previous clause does not apply for any reason, our maximum liability to you for all claims for direct damages is R100. This limit applies whether a claim is based on contract, delict (tort) or any other legal cause of action. 6.5 No liability for indirect damages. We will never be responsible for any indirect or consequential damages or losses, even if we should have foreseen them. These may include any loss of profit, loss of goodwill, loss of use or damages related to lost or damaged data. 6.6 Other website. We are not responsible for anyone else's website. 7. General 7.1 Entire agreement. The terms are the entire agreement between the parties on the subject. 7.2 Changes to website. We may change or stop publishing this website without notice and will not be responsible for any consequences. 7.3 Changes to terms. We may change the terms by placing a notice on this website. If you do not agree with the change, you must stop using this website or the changed terms will apply to you. 7.4 Facts about website. If an administrator of this website signs a letter confirming any fact related to the website, that letter is conclusive proof of its contents. These may include the version of the terms that apply to any dispute, or what content or functions the website had at a particular time or date. 7.5 Waiver. We do not ever waive (give up) our rights, even if we allow you any favour or extension of time, or we delay enforcing our rights against you. 7.6 Severability. Any term that is invalid, illegal or cannot be enforced must be regarded as deleted. The remaining terms continue as intended. 7.7 Law and jurisdiction. South African law and conditions (such as time and date) govern the terms. Only the South African courts may decide any dispute about the terms. Privacy Policy 1. Collection We collect certain information: when you contact us on our website; from your web browser; from cookies we may send to your computer and from web beacons on our website to track how you use our website and to try and give you a personalised experience; and optional information, that you provide when you upload or download content from our website. 2. Use We may use your information: to send you send administrative messages and email updates to you regarding the website; for marketing purposes; targeted content in certain, specified instances. 3. Disclosure We might disclose your information in the specific circumstances mentioned in this policy. 4. Security Our hosting company will host your website in a secure server environment. 5. Your choices You can turn off cookies in your browser; or You can opt-out of marketing communications with us. 6. Contact us You can contact us with privacy related questions at enver@recom.co.za address 7. Audience This policy applies to all visitors to our website (`you` and `your`). 8. Purpose of this policy We respect your privacy and take the protection of personal information very seriously. The purpose of this policy is to describe the way we collect, store, use, and protect information that can be associated with a specific natural or juristic person and can be used to identify that person (`personal information`). Personal information: 8.1 includes certain information collected when you contact us (see below); and optional information that you voluntarily provide to us (see below). 8.2 excludes information that has been made anonymous so that it does not identify a specific person; permanently de-identified information that does not relate or cannot be traced back to you specifically; and non-personal statistical information collected and compiled by us and information that you have provided voluntarily in an open, public environment or forum including (without limitation) any blog, chat room, community, classifieds or discussion board. Because the information has been disclosed in a public forum, it is no longer confidential and does not constitute Personal Information subject to protection under this policy. 9. Acceptance of terms By using this website you are deemed to have read, understood, accepted, and agreed to be bound by these terms. 10. Collection 10.1 On registration. Once you contact us on our website, you will no longer be anonymous to us as you will provide us with personal information. 10.2 Collection from browser. We automatically receive and record internet usage information on server logs from your browser (`usage information`). 10.3 Cookies. When you access our website we may send one or more cookies (small text files containing a string of alphanumeric characters) to your computer to collect certain usage information. We use information gathered by cookies to improve the website. Please note that some of our business partners (e.g. advertisers) use their own cookies or widgets on our website. We have no access to or control over them. Information collected by any such cookie or widget is governed by the privacy policy of the company that created it, and not by us. We use Remarketing with Google Analytics to advertise online. Third-party vendors, including Google, show your ads on sites across the Internet. Lead Find and third-party vendors, including Google, use first-party cookies (such as the Google Analytics cookie) and third-party cookies (such as the DoubleClick cookie) together to inform, optimize, and serve ads based on someone's past visits to this website. Visitors can opt-out of Google Analytics for Display Advertising and customize Google Display Network ads using the Ads Settings. 10.4 Web beacons. Our website may contain electronic image requests (called a `single-pixel gif` or `web beacon` request) that allow us to count page views and to access cookies. Any electronic image viewed as part of a web page (including an ad banner) can act as a web beacon. Our web beacons do not collect, gather, monitor or share any of your personal information. We merely use them to compile anonymous information about our website. 10.5 Recording calls. We will monitor and record telephone calls that you make to our call centre, unless you specifically request us not to. 10.6 Optional details. You may provide information on a voluntary basis (`optional information`). This includes content or product that you decide to upload or download from our website or otherwise use any optional features and functionality of the website. 10.7 Purpose for collection. We may use any optional information provided by you for such purposes as indicated to you at the time you agree to provide such optional information. 11. Consent to collection We will obtain your consent to collect personal information: in accordance with applicable law; and at the time you provide us with any optional information. 12. Use We may send administrative messages and email updates to you regarding the website. In some cases, we may also send you primarily promotional messages. You can choose to opt-out of promotional messages. 13. Disclosure 13.1 Sharing. We may share your personal information with: other divisions or companies within the group of companies to which we belong; and an affiliate, in which case we will seek to require the affiliates to honour this privacy policy. 13.2 Regulators. If you contact us regarding your experience with using any of our products, we may disclose your personal information as required by law or governmental audit. 13.3 Law enforcement. We may disclose personal information if required: by a subpoena or court order; or to comply with any law. 13.4 Marketing purposes. We may disclose aggregate statistics (information about the customer population in general terms) about the personal information to advertisers or business partners. 13.5 Employees. We may need to disclose personal information to our employees that require the personal information to do their jobs. 13.6 Change of ownership. If we undergo a change in ownership, or a merger with, acquisition by, or sale of assets to, another entity, we may assign our rights to the personal information we process to a successor, purchaser, or separate entity. We will disclose the transfer on the website. If you are concerned about your personal information migrating to a new owner, you may request us to delete your personal information. 14. Security of personal information Our hosting company will host our website in a secure server environment that uses a firewall and other advanced security measures to prevent interference or access from outside intruders. We authorize access to personal information only for those employees who require it to fulfil their job responsibilities. 15. Retention of personal information We will only retain your personal information for as long as it is necessary to fulfil the purposes explicitly set out in this policy, unless: retention of the record is required or authorised by law; or you have consented to the retention of the record. During the period of retention, we will continue to abide by our non disclosure obligations and will not share or sell your personal information. 16. Limitation We are not responsible for, give no warranties, nor make any representations in respect of the privacy policies or practices of linked or any third party websites. 17. Enquiries If you have any questions or concerns arising from this privacy policy or the way in which we handle personal information, please contact us. |