Rental Housing Tribunal: How to Lodge a Complaint in South Africa
The Rental Housing Tribunal is a free, accessible dispute resolution body set up under the Rental Housing Act in every province. Tenants and landlords can lodge complaints about unfair practices, deposit disputes, illegal eviction threats, and maintenance failures — without going to court. This guide explains how to use the Tribunal.
What Is the Rental Housing Tribunal?
The Rental Housing Tribunal is a statutory body that hears and resolves disputes between landlords and tenants in the private rental market. It operates in each of the nine provinces and is administered by the provincial Department of Human Settlements.
Its services are free of charge. Tribunal members are appointed by the MEC for Human Settlements and have powers similar to those of a magistrate within their area of jurisdiction.
What Disputes Can Be Lodged?
- Non-payment or wrongful withholding of a rental deposit
- Unreasonable rental increases
- Failure to maintain the property in a habitable condition
- Harassment by a landlord or intimidation to vacate
- Unlawful cutting of utilities (water/electricity)
- Denial of quiet enjoyment
- Refusal to provide a written lease
- Disputes about deductions from deposits
- Any unfair practice by a landlord or tenant
How to Lodge a Complaint
- Contact your provincial Rental Housing Tribunal office (see contacts below) and request a complaint form, or download it from the provincial DHS website.
- Complete the form with details of the dispute, your lease terms, and the steps you have already taken to resolve the matter.
- Submit the form to the Tribunal office with copies of relevant documents: lease agreement, receipts, correspondence with the landlord.
- The Tribunal registers your complaint and assigns a reference number.
- A Tribunal officer contacts both parties to attempt mediation or conciliation.
- If mediation fails, the matter is set down for a formal hearing.
- At the hearing, both parties present their case and submit evidence.
- The Tribunal issues a ruling (judgment), which is legally enforceable.
Provincial Tribunal Contact Numbers
| Province | Contact Number |
|---|---|
| Gauteng | 011 355 4000 |
| Western Cape | 021 483 5020 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 033 355 5700 |
| Eastern Cape | 040 609 3500 |
| Limpopo | 015 284 5000 |
| Mpumalanga | 013 766 6087 |
| North West | 018 388 5000 |
| Free State | 051 400 4911 |
| Northern Cape | 053 839 4000 |
The Rental Housing Tribunal process is typically faster and cheaper than going to court. Most cases are resolved within 3 to 6 months of a complaint being lodged.
What Happens After a Ruling?
A Tribunal ruling is an order with the force of a magistrate's court order. If the losing party fails to comply, the ruling can be made an order of court and enforced by a sheriff.
Either party may appeal a Tribunal ruling to the High Court within 30 days of the ruling.