Renting out a property, whether it's a cottage in your garden or a flat you own, may bring in additional income, but for landlords it can become a headache - and tenants face the risk of an owner who is not willing to maintain the property. In the case of disputes, the first port of call should be the Rental Housing Tribunal, which provides a free service. The failure of landlords to refund deposits to tenants is one of the most common complaints dealt with, said attorney Trudie Broekmann, a member of the tribunal in the Western Cape. Before a property is rented out, both tenant and landlord must jointly inspect it for defects or damage. Should they find any, it's the landlord's responsibility to fix these, or, in terms of the Rental Housing Act, both parties may decide to merely "register" them on the lease. Similarly, in the last three days before the lease expires, the parties must inspect the property together for damage. According to the act: "Failure by the landlord to inspect...
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