During the third quarter, which covers 1 October to 31 December 2020, the Western Cape Rental Housing Tribunal (WCRHT) closed a further 200 Communicare cases.
This takes the number of concluded cases up to 611, with the number of Communicare matters closed increasing from 156 to 411 between 1 July 2020 and 30 September 2020.
These matters were either concluded through facilitation, mediation and or hearings.
In terms of the Rental Housing Act No 50 of 1999, the Rental Housing Tribunal is legislated to finalise matters within 90 days.
I’d like to thank the WCRHT for continuing to assist all those who are in need of this free service. Through their efficient work, the WCRHT is clearly demonstrating that hearings are not always required as some the matters are resolved through mediations and facilitation.
Since the lodgement of these Communicare complaints in 2018, the WC RHT has helped to reduce the number of active or open Communicare complaints from 775 to 164, and this is highly commendable.
Of the 164 open cases, 130 will be finalised through hearings, while the remaining 34 is currently under investigation.
The use of technology is also proving to be quite effective and this is more so as the WCRHT has been conducting virtual hearings to ensure that citizens in these matters are still assisted. Those seeking to lodge further complaints can now also use the very first WCRHT web and mobile app solution, which forms part of the WCG e-Service Portal. Citizens can also track a complaint online.
These initiatives are demonstrating our commitment to being innovative and using technology optimally.
I’d like to encourage landlords and tenants who might be in need of the services of the RHT, to utilise it.
The type of disputes includes, for example:
- Failure to refund deposit
- Unlawful notice to vacate
- Exorbitant increase in rental
- Failure to accept notice
- Failure to provide municipal services
- Failure to pay rental
- Failure to do maintenance
- Unlawful eviction / illegal lockout
- Unlawful seizure of possessions
At this stage, the Rental Housing Tribunal can be contacted as follows:
- Monday to Friday 08h00 – 16h00
- 021-483 5020
- 021-483 0645
- 021-483 2396
