Residential Rentals RoundUp #2 | Residential Property Rentals, COVID-19 & the 21-day ‘Lockdown’

Residential Rentals RoundUP

Today has been an extraordinary day – one unlike I think any of us have experienced before – not only the uncertainty about the 21 day lockdown, but, unfortunately, some (opportunistic?) people also spreading fake or untrue information.

So, to help you sift through it all I’ve decided to put together a summary for you of the most important (and confirmed) information I have managed to gather . . .

‘Fake news’: Department rubbishes letter claiming landlords can’t collect rent from tenants

The health department has dismissed claims that Health Minister Zweli Mkhize had barred landlords from collecting rent money from their tenants for the next 90 days.

Source: News24 (22 Mar, 2020)

Confirmed: Guideline that government will only help ‘51%-black-owned companies’ is fake

Numerous people and groups, including AfriForum, have already launched a campaign against the ‘racist policy’, but government advises that it is fake news

Source: The Citizen (24 Mar, 2020)

Webinar: Disaster Management: Tenants + Corona Virus

Source: YouTube – SA Property Investors Network / TPN / SSLR (24 Mar, 2020)

When does the lockdown commence?

At 23:59 on the evening of Thursday 26 March 2020.

Source: Far South Covid Response Group, Facebook

Cancellation and empty home? (as received from TPN and SSLR inc)

  • Question #4: Can the tenant cancel their lease agreement in the usual way?
  • Question #5: I have a vacant property, can I charge my new tenant rent from the 1st of April even though they can’t move in?

Click on the title above to read the post.

Source: Property Practitioners Facebook Group

Rental holidays unlikely without decision from govt, says property attorney

Property attorney Marlon Shevelew says a decision on Covid-19 rent holidays needs to come from South Africa’s national executive.

“If a policy decision does not come from the top”, Shevelew says, “rental reprieves are not a realistic expectation.”

Source: CapeTalk

Can a tenant can refuse to pay rent due to COVID?

Thoughts from Robert Krautkramer . . .

Basically, it will be a question of proving that the inability to pay arose directly as a result of legal measures being implemented to deal with this disease.

Click here to read the post.

Source: Robert Krautkramer on Facebook

I already have an eviction order. Will the sheriff evict the occupier?

“Further clarity must be provided by the Presidency or the Judiciary on the enforcement of court orders and legal process, but it is highly unlikely that evictions will be allowed to proceed in light of the purpose of the lockdown.”, says Marlon Shevelew

Want updates faster by Whatsapp?

I’ve created a WhatsApp Group (‘RentalsOnly’ by ShaunLuyt’) in which I will be sharing information on a regular basis. This is the quickest way to get updated on new information published. You can join the Group by clicking on this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K5LJL1LwPtR6EaIO2xKl2r

I have set up the Group in such a way that only I can send messages to the Group, so you won’t be bothered by any other ‘chatter’.

Following me on Facebook?

I’m also sharing as much relevant information as possible on my Facebook Page, so feel free to Like / Follow my page: https://www.facebook.com/ShaunLuyt.PropertyRentalTrainingConsulting/

Join my Mailing List

Just need to complete the pop-up on my page.

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