beneficiaries to monitor progress on the building of their houses
24 October 2007
The Department of Local Government and Housing has urged housing
beneficiaries to take full responsibility of the processes undertaken when
acquiring a government low cost house. This is to assist them in benefiting
from the quality of the houses built for them and improve housing delivery
programme.
Beneficiaries have an obligation, right from the start when their
applications have been approved through to the stage where the house has been
completed. The beneficiary must make it their business to monitor the
construction and make sure that their needs are taken care of during
construction. According to the specifications, once the house is completed the
building inspector must sign off a completion certificate.
The beneficiary will also have to sign this document commonly known as the
'Happy Letter'. On signing of the 'Happy Letter' the beneficiary must ensure
that all snags or defects are written down for the contractor to remedy. The
'Happy Letter' must only be signed once the house is completed and the
beneficiary has taken occupation and is happy with the work done.
When signing the 'Happy Letter', the beneficiary is also confirming that
they have taken occupation of the house and that they are responsible for the
house as from that day. The immediate occupation of the house prevents
vandalism that occurs in some empty houses. The information is part of the
department's awareness campaign aimed at educating beneficiaries about service
delivery programmes for better understanding.
Contact person:
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931
Issued by: Department of Local Government and Housing, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
24 October 2007
