Rental being increased by R1000.
Good afternoon, please provide me with some advice on a way forward. My landlady called me on 18.12.2017 to inform me that because she has not increased the rent in the last 5 years she is know increasing it by R1000 as of 1 Janary 2018. I have to give her my response by 22 December 2017. I would like to know can she actually get away with only giving me 2 weeks notice? She has increased the rent by 20% is this legal? I cannot find R1000 extra in my current budget but maybe can try to pay R400 instead. I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks so much.
Category: Property, Rental Matters
Region: South Africa, Gauteng
1 Answer
Did you have a written lease agreement in place? If so it will stipulate when and how she can increase the rental. If not she should give you at least a month’s notice period. If you want to maintain your amicable relationship, you should sit down with her, and in a friendly manner explain to her why the short and sudden notice period disrupts your budget. Tell her what you can genuinely afford. If she is disagreeable you can always take the matter to the Rental and Housing Tribunal. Can find their contact detail online. Best of luck for 2018.