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June 2003 |
Joburg residents warned against unscrupulous landlords
Housing MEC Paul Mashatile has warned residents in the Johannesburg inner city against unscrupulous landlords who exploit unsuspecting tenants by pocketing their money meant for rates and services.
“Rental accommodation in the inner city continues to be a big problem, especially the relationship between tenants and landlords. Among the problems are excessively high rentals for bad accommodation charged by landlords and often not rendering services expected from them,” Mashatile said.
He was speaking during a public meeting at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Doornfontein, as part of the provincial government’s Let’s Talk Campaign of direct interaction and dialogue with Gauteng residents. He was accompanied by Gauteng MECs, Johannesburg Mayor Amos Masondo and city councillors.
Calls were made for a plan to ensure proper management of buildings in the inner city.
Investigations had revealed cases where criminals had convinced unsuspecting tenants to pay money into fraudulent trust accounts and then disappeared with the funds.
Government leaders reported to residents about a range of initiatives to improve conditions in the inner city. City of Johannesburg representatives told residents at the meeting about their better buildings programme to revamp and ensure proper management of inner city buildings.
The Gauteng Rental Housing Tribunal had also been established to transform owner-tenant relations.
Tribunals are statutory bodies which have powers similar to those of magistrate's courts.
They can subpoena people and sentence those found guilty to pay fines or to prison.
"People should use the tribunal and not always wait for problems to arise," Mashatile said. "The City Council has a responsibility to close buildings that are not suitable for human habitation. If the tribunal does not assist you, then you have a right to come to the housing department." Through the social housing programme, the provincial government aims to increase its capacity to provide decent affordable accommodation, especially in the cities. It also aims to promote the provision of housing stock for installment sale and collective ownership in the form of co-operatives.
Since housing issues were among the key concerns of inner city residents at the meeting, Mashatile made a commitment that housing officials from the Gauteng government, City of Johannesburg and Housing Tribunal, would hold another meeting with residents in July.