A reader wants to know who is responsible for the payment of water and electricity charges during a lease and how he can compel his former landlord to reimburse his deposit without delay. … [Read more...]
Search Results for: Tenant
Tenant wants shorter term on renewal of lease
A landlord wants to know how to handle a tenant who wants to renew his lease for a period of less than a year. … [Read more...]
Can my tenant choose a shorter term on renewal of lease?
I would like to know what my options are in the case of a tenant who does not want to sign a lease for a term of another year, but prefers a shorter period. We have also had negotiations over the rental amount. A fixed-rand sum was agreed as an increase, but this is short of the requested eight per cent rise. Thank you, Rental Matters See what the experts have to say. … [Read more...]
Does landlord or tenant pay for drafting of lease agreement?
A reader would like to know whether it is the landlord or tenant's responsibility to pay for the preparing and drafting of a lease agreement. … [Read more...]
What to do when tenant stops paying rental on unsigned lease?
My tenant only paid the first month's rental of a three-month lease and I would like to know if I can pursue legal action to remedy the situation. The tenant asked for the short-term lease and promised to sign an agreement to this effect. However, after taking occupation, he refused to sign and failed to pay the rest of the monthly instalments. It is now time for him to vacate the property … [Read more...]
Tenant stops rental payments on unsigned lease
A tenant only paid the first month's rental of a three-month lease and the landlord now wants to know if he can pursue legal action to remedy the situation. … [Read more...]
How do I deal with tenant who left without paying?
I would like to know what can be done about money owed by a tenant who failed to pay his rent for five months while also running up municipal debts. The lease with the tenant was concluded approximately two years ago. He settled his rental haphazardly, paying part of it one month and nothing the next. During this time, he had managed to run up a municipal bill in excess of R150 000. I … [Read more...]
Tenant leaves without paying rent and municipal debts
A reader wants to know what can be done about money owed by a tenant who failed to pay his rent for five months while also running up municipal debts. … [Read more...]
Can landlord retain deposit if new tenant backs out of lease?
A reader who changed her mind about renting a property after paying the deposit wants to know if the landlord can legally retain the deposit until another tenant is found. … [Read more...]
Landlord keeps deposit after potential tenant cancels lease
I changed my mind about renting a property after paying the deposit and I would like to know if the landlord can legally retain it until another tenant is found. After viewing the property, I and my husband liked what we saw and paid the deposit to secure the lease. However, after my attorney viewed the lease contract, he pointed out a number of issues that caused us to review our decision … [Read more...]
Do I have to refund tenant’s deposit pro rata?
I have a tenant in a granny flat adjacent to the main dwelling on my property who has been retrenched and says he can no longer afford the rental. After his retrenchment, the tenant asked me to release him from the lease and suggested that his deposit be used in lieu of the last month's rental. As my daughter is moving back home and possibly available to take over the flat, I agreed and … [Read more...]
No obligation to refund part of tenant’s deposit
A reader who rents out a granny flat wants to know if he is obliged to refund the tenant part of his deposit after he was retrenched and could no longer afford the rental. … [Read more...]
Procedure to evict tenant after verbal abuse
Our reader, who has allowed his daughter and her two children to move into a wendy house on his property, wants to know whether a formal process must be followed to have them evicted. … [Read more...]
How do I evict tenant after verbal abuse?
My daughter and her two children moved into a wendy house on my property after she was separated from her husband. However, I have suffered verbal abuse by her and I would like her to vacate the property without delay. There is no formal lease in place and the daughter contributes a nominal amount to the utilities payable in respect of the property. The problem is that she refuses to move … [Read more...]
Tenant wants his pre-emptive right recognised
After finding out that his landlord wants to sell the property he has been renting for several months, a reader wants to know how he can give effect to a right he has to purchase the premises. … [Read more...]
Tenant questions validity of early termination of lease
The early termination of a lease comes under the microscope in this week's question. … [Read more...]
Should tenant or owner repair shattered shower panel?
I arrived home to find a glass panel in a shower at the property I rent had shattered without any explanation. The shower was not in use nor had it recently been used. Having examined the lease agreement, it was unclear whose responsibility it was to repair the damage and I would like some clarity on the way forward. Regards, Shattered Tenant See what the experts have to say. … [Read more...]
Tenant ‘responsible’ for repair of damaged rental property
The conditions which govern damage to a rented property form the basis of today's reader question. … [Read more...]
