Property Advice Articles in South Africa

A successful rental journey requires careful attention to budgeting, lease agreements, and legal tenant rights and obligations.

If there are no legitimate deductions, the deposit together with the applicable interest must be returned. This is why a properly documented incoming inspection is as important for the tenant as it is for the landlord.

The amount is agreed between landlord and tenant and must be reflected in the lease. In practice, deposits of between one and two months’ rent are common.

Maintenance is one of the most underrated parts of property investment. A well-maintained home attracts better tenants, gets better rental returns, and gives everyone peace of mind. It’s not a chore, it’s part of building long-term value.

This is one of the most common sources of tension between tenants and landlords, and the good news is that the rule is actually fairly simple once you understand it: it comes down almost entirely to what your written lease agreement says.

Whether you’re a landlord or a tenant, communication is your best maintenance tool. Tenants should report issues as soon as they arise, even if they seem minor.

Knowing your legal rights when terminating a lease early allows you to provide proper notice, avoid disputes with your landlord, and navigate early cancellation costs with confidence.

Under Section 5 of the Rental Housing Act, your landlord, or the property practitioner managing the property on their behalf, is legally required to invest your deposit in an interest-bearing account at a recognised financial institution, and the...

Renting a flat or a home is a significant part of many people’s lives. Young people often start by renting before purchasing a home. Others may rent for financial reasons or for the mobility it offers.

Most landlords don’t start out thinking about lease structures. They start out thinking about income, tenants and protecting their investment. The operational framework behind that lease, however, plays a significant role in how smoothly the...

If you are still keen on selling the property, the agent can continue marketing it until a suitable offer is received. In the meantime, the seller will have benefited from earning a rental return on the property.

When renting a property, one of the biggest concerns for tenants is ensuring the return of their security deposit at the end of the lease. To avoid deductions and secure your full deposit, it is important to be proactive from the start.

With homeownership becoming increasingly challenging for many South Africans, alternative property financing structures are attracting renewed attention. One model often discussed is rent-to-buy, where tenants rent a property with the option to...

Integral to ensuring a return on investment in a rental property is finding and retaining the right tenants. Whether it’s a commercial or residential property, South African landlords should rely on the expertise of a rental agent to help them...

Tenants should also ask themselves how much they ideally want to be spending on a home each month instead of asking what is the maximum they can afford.

Signing a lease is a big commitment. Whether you're a first-time renter or a seasoned tenant, asking the right questions can save you from future headaches.

In an ideal world, rental relationships should benefit both landlord and tenant. To support this goal, the government has implemented detailed legislation in the form of the Rental Housing Act which outlines the rights and responsibilities of...

While generating income from a rental property is a great way to bolster personal wealth, it can also lead to some financial troubles if tenants are not properly vetted and expenses are not properly budgeted for.

The best way to ensure you get your full rent deposit back is to look after the property as if it is your own home. Before exiting, it must be fully restored to the condition as at the date of occupation.

Investing in rental properties has long been a popular strategy for building wealth and generating passive income. With the potential for stable returns and property appreciation, it's an attractive option for many investors.