Rental Housing Tribunal: how to lay a complaint (South Africa)
5 min read · General information, not legal advice
Quick answer
Every province has a Rental Housing Tribunal under the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999. It's free and handles disputes such as deposits, repairs, unpaid rent and illegal lockouts. Its rulings are treated like a Magistrate's Court order.
What to bring
Your lease, the move-in and move-out inspection lists, proof of rent and deposit payments, photos and the messages between you.
Province guides
Read the Gauteng and Western Cape guides for local details.
- Gauteng Rental Housing Tribunal: deposits, repairs and lease disputes
- Western Cape Rental Housing Tribunal: deposits, repairs and lease disputes
Free to fill in
Residential Lease Agreement
Fill it in online free, preview it as you go, then download Word + PDF from R199.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rental Housing Tribunal free?
Yes.
Can the Tribunal evict a tenant?
No. Evictions need a court order under the PIE Act.
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