{"id":47923,"date":"2024-02-16T12:34:44","date_gmt":"2024-02-16T10:34:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/beware-of-scams-pitfalls-lessees-must-look-out-for-before-paying-a-deposit-20240216-2\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T23:10:16","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T21:10:16","slug":"beware-of-scams-pitfalls-lessees-must-look-out-for-before-paying-a-deposit-20240216-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/beware-of-scams-pitfalls-lessees-must-look-out-for-before-paying-a-deposit-20240216-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Beware of scams: Pitfalls lessees must look out for before paying a deposit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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With high demand for accommodation in Cape Town, rental scams are prevalent, says seasoned rental specialist Janine Swart, owner of Alexander Swart rentals in Brackenfell.<\/p>\n

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In a sit down with TygerBurger<\/em> this week, she cautioned prospective tenants to be vigilant when renting a property.<\/p>\n

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There are many red flags to look out for and consumers must tread carefully, according to Swart.<\/p>\n

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To start of with, lessees (or renters) must make sure they have a valid address and contact number of the rental agent or homeowner, and to make sure they are who they say they are.<\/p>\n

READ | Brackenfell rental \u2018scam\u2019 have families all packed up and nowhere to go<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cAfter a property is advertised and viewed, interested tenants will then receive an application form that requires among others their bank statements, payslips and identity documents for vetting,\u201d Swart related.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this stage no deposit is required. A small fee of about R185 will be required to do a credit check. The application will then be qualified and submitted to the owner.

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\u201cAfter the application is approved and accepted by the owner, a lease agreement is drawn up. Only after this process is completed a lease agreement is signed by both parties, and are the renter required to pay the deposit. This is standard practise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Swart advises prospective tenants to never pay a deposit \u201cto secure the house\u201d before an agreement is signed.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe moment you sign a lease agreement it means you have secured the home and as a consumer you are then protected by the Consumer Protection Act.<\/p>\n

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\u201cLease agreements can be cancelled only for valid reasons. If a consumer is not sure about the aspects around this they can approach the Rental Tribunal for help. Owners who plan to put a home in the market in the short term should be honest about this before the lease is signed, and notice periods must be clearly stipulated.<\/p>\n

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Finally, Swart advises tenants to make sure municipal accounts are paid up, and in case of a living complex to double check the levies and to obtain the rules of the complex. \u201cAlways make sure you know what you are paying for,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n