The Department of Housing is establishing a rental housing tribunal to solve disputes between landlords and tenants. This tribunal will assist many tenants who have been evicted by the landlords in their premises due to non payment of rents or other matters.
Recruitment for five members to serve on the board is at an advanced stage and short listing has already begun.
Established according to National Act Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999, the board will receive and record complaints, conduct investigations and resolve reported cases.
It will also facilitate mediation, dispute and hearing to inform landlord and tenants about their rights and obligations. Tribunal board members will serve a period of three years.
Members appointed to the board should have expertise and exposure in rental housing, property management, housing development and consumer education matters.
The tribunal must promote stability within rental housing stock by resolving disputes between landlord and tenant on reported cases of unfair rental practices.
The tribunal is expected to help thousands of tenants residing in townships ill treated by their landlords by illegally evicting them from the residential areas. The board will be appointed by the MEC for Housing Mrs Nombulelo Mabandla when the interview process is completed.
Contact: Lwandile Sicwecha
Cell: 071 6711 770
Issued by: Department of Housing, Eastern Cape provincial Government
9 September 2009
Source: Department of Housing, Eastern Cape provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za/)
