The North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Desbo Mohono says that the increase in the volume of cases being reported to the North West Rental Housing Tribunal could be attributed to increased awareness of the services of the tribunal and confidence in its ability to mediate rental disputes.
According to MEC Mohono, eighty cases were reported in the first quarter of the current financial year with most cases being from Rustenburg, Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp.
The North West Rental Housing Tribunal was established in terms of the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999 to regulate and promotes stability in the rental housing sector by resolving disputes that arises between tenants and landlords.
the Act stipulates that any tenants or landlord or group of tenants or landlords or interests group may lodge a complaint with the Tribunal concerning an unfair practice. Once a complaint has been lodged the parties have an opportunity to have their problems addressed at a mediation to achieve a negotiated settlement or hearing.
Where the Tribunal is of the view that the dispute is of such a nature that it cannot be resolved through mediation or mediator, a certificate to the effect that the parties are unable to resolve the dispute through mediation would be issued and a hearing conducted. The tribunal may then make a ruling as it may consider just and fair in the circumstances. A ruling of the Tribunal is deemed to be an order of a magistrate’s court in terms of the Magistrate’s Court Act, 1944 (Act No 32 of 1944)
Any person who has been duly summoned to appear before the Tribunal and fails, without sufficient notice will be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment not exceeding two years or both such fine and such imprisonment.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 391 0420
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
