The Rental Housing Tribunal: Your Free Mediator for Residential Rental Problems

Renting a home in South Africa should be easy, but sometimes disagreements happen between a tenant and a landlord. When these arguments turn into a big headache, the Rental Housing Tribunal (RHT) is there to step in and help.

Think of the RHT as a special, free, and easy-to-use court just for residential rental problems. It was set up by the government (under the Rental Housing Act) to help people sort out their disputes without the high cost and stress of going to a regular court.

Its main job is simple: to make sure both tenants and landlords are treated fairly and to resolve issues quickly so everyone can have peace of mind.

When Should You Call the RHT?

If you have a problem with your lease, rent, or living conditions, the RHT can usually get involved.

Common issues the Tribunal handles include:

• Rent Payment Problems: When tenants don't pay rent or other agreed-upon charges.
• Deposit Disputes: When a landlord doesn't give the tenant's security deposit back within 14 days after the tenant moves out.
• Illegal Eviction: When a landlord tries to force a tenant out unlawfully or uses threats/intimidation.
• Unfair Rent Hikes: When the rent increase seems too high or unreasonable.
• Utility Cut-offs: When the landlord illegally disconnects electricity or water.
• Other Unfair Actions: Any other bad behaviour by either side that goes against the rules of the Act.

The RHT's power only covers residential rentals — where people live. It cannot help with commercial leases (business properties) or other types of legal contracts; those must go to a regular court.

It's Free and Anyone Can Use It

The best part about the RHT is that it is completely free of charge. This ensures that everyone in South Africa, even those who can't afford expensive lawyers, has access to justice for their housing issues.

• Who Can Complain? Anyone directly affected by a rental problem can ask for help—tenants, landlords, and even sometimes neighbours.
• Do You Need a Lawyer? You don't have to hire a lawyer, but for very complicated cases, getting legal advice can be helpful to make sure your evidence is strong and your rights are fully protected.

How the Dispute Process Works

The RHT process is designed to be less scary than a traditional court. It usually follows these steps:

1. File Your Complaint: You submit your problem to the Tribunal. They first check to make sure it's a matter they have the legal authority to handle.
2. Mediation (The First Try): If they can help, both sides (tenant and landlord) are invited to a mediation session. A neutral person (the mediator) tries to help you both talk it out and reach a fair agreement without a formal trial.
3. Formal Hearing (If Mediation Fails): If you can't agree during mediation, the case goes to a formal hearing. This is less strict than a normal court. The person in charge (the chairperson) is actively involved, asking questions and investigating the facts. Both sides get to present their evidence, call witnesses, and tell their story.
4. The Ruling: After hearing everything, the Tribunal makes a final, binding decision. This ruling has the same legal power as a judgment from a Magistrate’s Court. If the losing party refuses to follow the ruling, the winner can enforce the decision through the proper legal steps.

Final Takeaway

The Rental Housing Tribunal is a crucial tool for fairness in South Africa's housing market. By offering a free, easy, and quick way to settle disputes, it makes sure that both landlords and tenants can defend their rights and that agreements are based on fairness, not just who has the most money for legal fees.