The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure’s Rental Housing Tribunal unit (RHT) will soon make its free services to the public available to municipalities across the Western Cape.
The service is aimed at resolving disputes between landlords and tenants. In addition, it seeks to educate the parties about their rights and obligations should an unfair and unlawful act occur that contravenes any legislation.
Due to an increased demand for the services to be accessed in other areas in the province, Western Cape MEC for infrastructure Tertuis Simmers said residents can soon expect to access this critical service in their various local municipalities.
“We are currently in discussions with various municipalities and an announcement will be made on the expansion of the services beyond Cape Town.
“This is to ensure that citizens across the province have access to our services.”
Ntobeko Mbingeleli, spokesperson for Simmers, said he hoped to make an announcement soon.
The department will also then disclose the various municipalities to which the service will be rolled out and when it will be implemented and launched.
“We hope to make the announcement soon,” Mbingeleli added. “Without singling out Drakenstein Municipality, however, yes it is one of the municipalities [where the service will be made available].
“In addition to the minister’s quote, part of extending the services is to emancipate our partners at local government. The details of how it (RHT) will be rolled out will be revealed at the time of the official announcement.”
The RHT was established 23 years ago, in 2001, in terms of the Rental Housing Act, 50 of 1999 (RHA), and has since played an important role in the rental housing sector in the Western Cape.
Over the years it has assisted citizens by resolving disputes, such as but not limited to the following: unlawful notice to vacate, unlawful evictions, claim for damages, failure to refund deposit and more.
The latest third quarter (October-December 2023) statistical performance report indicated there were 777 cases captured and 715 cases closed off.
The RHT is legislated to finalise matters within 90 days, with a backlog of 261 cases.
Until the department has identified to which local municipalities the service will be rolled out to, landlords and tenants who have disputes can contact the Rental Housing Tribunal through the following avenues:
For enquiries, call the contact centre on 0860 106 166; send a
Please Call Me to 079 769 1207 or SMS the word “Help” to 31022.
For general and dispute-related enquiries, submit all complaint forms, annexures and a copy of your lease agreement via email to rht.disputes@westerncape.gov.za; call 021 483 5020/6495/3283 or send a fax to 021 483 3313.
