COVID-19 "Permit to Move" In Or Out Of Rental Properties For Tenants At End Of April Is Illegal

Tenants who are desperate to move in or out of their rental premises at the end of April, have according to Michelle Dickens of TPN latched on to an idea of a police issued "permit" to move house.

Actually this "permit " is nothing more than an Affidavit signed by the tenant at their local police station on a SAPS Sworn Statement Form. The contents of the Affidavit confirms the address of the new lease and that the tenant gives themselves "permission" to move on 1st May.

In terms of the Disaster Management Act and the current regulations, the police may only issue permits to travel between provinces for the attendance of funerals.

TPN has confirmed with a high level Advocate at the National Prosecuting Authority that, "SAPS cannot issue such permits and the current regulations do not permit this."

This was also confirmed by a Lieutenant Colonel at SAPS in a statement that "SAPS are only authorised to issue permits for travel for funerals between provinces."

We would highly encourage that all tenants do not attempt to move with these self-made permits as it could potentially lead to arrest or fines.

Once the final regulations have been published, there will hopefully be clarity at which level tenants will be allowed to move - we will update you as soon as it is received.

Until then, TPN strongly advise tenants not to move.