Landlords and tenants are advised not to jump the gun and change their leases to include new clauses contained in the Rental Housing Amendment Act.
This is because the act has not yet come into law, effect Michelle Dickens, managing director of TPN. The Rental Housing Amendment Act 34 of 2014 will only become operational after it has been promulgated, which is a process of publication of the official date from which the act needs to be complied with.
“Any new clauses added to a current lease agreement that directly refers to the Rental Housing Amendment Act would be incorrect in law. It is risky business to pre-empt the law.”
Dickens says the new amendment act brings with it a number of changes that require development and training to ensure that nationally, the public is better supported through the Rental Housing Tribunal.