Landlord maintenance responsibilities south africa

The blocking of drains. Often this occurs due to roots growing in gardens and blocking gullies and drainpipes but can be caused by the hair of. Light fittings, switches and bulbs. It is generally accepted that the changing of lightbulbs is the tenant ’s. This would include repairing roof leaks, damp and rising damp.

If there is a pool, the landlord is responsible for any pool leaks , as well as maintaining pool covers in light of water restrictions. It is the landlords’ responsibility to ensure that the property is compliant in terms of health and safety regulations at the time of occupation by the tenant, and the tenant’s responsibility to maintain the same. Under common law, the landlord is under obligation to place the dwelling in a. As a rule of thumb, the landlord is responsible for fair wear and tear as well as maintenance of structural fixtures and fittings such as fixing roof leaks, replacing a geyser, or fixing plumbing and electrical problems.

He must also ensure that the tenant is not evicted. That the condition of the property at the onset of a lease must be fit for the purpose for which it is let. Landlords are responsible for the structural maintenance of the property , which would include the painting and maintenance of the external walls and the roof.

This is accomplished by making sure the rental is livable, safe and clean for your tenant. A landlord is also responsible for financials, taxes, utilities and property maintenance. Most municipalities have local building codes and state laws that lay out standards for the construction, maintenance and living standards of rental units. Taking care of the home is a shared responsibility.

While you own the property, your tenant is living in it. Together, you can protect the condition of your investment and preserve its value. Although the specific requirements will differ slightly by state, there are general responsibilities that all landlords will have. Here are six ways a landlord must keep up with property maintenance.

Some states attempt to make landlord access to the rules easier by collecting them all in one place. Cape Town boasts some of the highest rent prices, where you can find apartments in excess of USD 7per month for an average 120-sqm apartment, compared to around USD 4in Johannesburg. When a landlord fails to make the necessary repairs or maintenance after receiving advance notice from a renter, there could be a number of consequences.

It is recommended that maintenance is only carried out in emergencies. This might include plumbers, electricians and tradespeople who can work on and inside rental properties. Landlords should obtain tenant consent before the maintenance occurs. During maintenance , physical distance should be maintained and records kept for contact tracing.

Landlords must maintain rental properties to state and local standards for habitability. For every rental property, a warranty of habitability is implied. Essentially, the best principle to follow – as either a tenant or a landlord – is to ensure that before a lease is signed all existing problems are documented and that both parties are on the same page with regards to what repairs will be the tenant’s responsibility and what will remain the landlord ’s obligation. However, although the common law is still used in South Africa , the South African Constitution now de! Landlords and their agents cannot resort to illegal methods to drive out tenants.

How to deal with unfair landlords who break the law By. Big maintenance is the responsibility of the landlord. Small and daily maintenance and damages incurred by yourself. In most commercial leases the tenant is responsible for the rented premises including walls, floors, fixtures and inclusions and the landlord requires the tenant to repair and maintain the premises during the lease term. Repairs and Maintenance.

Your rights as a landlord are balanced (held in check) by a number of responsibilities , which are in place to protect both you and your tenant. This list of defects must be attached to the lease as an annexure. Landlords who own between and units or more often need to hold the security deposit in an interest bearing. In terms of a lease, the two parties ( landlord and tenant) can come to any division of maintenance they want.

If the lease is silent on the subject, the landlord owns the whole property and is responsible for the maintenance in all areas. Cleaning the chimney is usually the landlord ’s responsibility. Landlord responsibilities for indoor maintenance Chimneys. Being a landlord involves more than just collecting rents and maintaining the property.

Pamela Yardney, director with Metropole Properties, outlines what every landlord needs to know about their rights and responsibilities.