The three biggest challenges for landlords renting out property in South Africa, based on recent data and market insights, are;

1) Tenant Arrears and Non-Payment of Rent:

Tenant arrears are a significant issue, with 17.1% of tenants in arrears by Q4 2024, owing an average of 77.1% of their rent. Non-payment strains landlord cash flow, especially in a high-interest-rate environment where bond repayments are costly. Evictions, governed by the strict Prevention of Illegal Eviction (PIE) Act, are complex, requiring court orders and often alternative accommodation arrangements, leading to prolonged financial losses.

Trust Property Rentals offer rigorous tenant vetting using credit checks (e.g., TPN RentCheck) and income verification to select financially stable tenants, reducing default risks. We strongly advise all our landlords to use Xpello empowers residential landlords with the freedom and peace of mind to lease their investment properties. Xpello offers South African Property Owners an efficient, legal and cost-effective solution to deal with illegal tenants

2) Property Maintenance and Disputes:

Pain: Maintenance disputes are a leading cause of landlord-tenant conflicts, often escalating to the Rental Housing Tribunal. Landlords are legally responsible for structural repairs (e.g., roofs, plumbing, electrical systems) and ensuring the property is habitable, but tenants may misuse properties or fail to report issues promptly, increasing costs. Fair wear and tear disputes further complicate deposit refunds, requiring joint inspections that tenants sometimes skip.
Trust Property Rentals provides proactive maintenance management, coordinating with pre-vetted contractors for rapid repairs. We facilitate in-person joint inspections using the Red Rabbit mobile app which provides time-stamped photo system to document property conditions at move-in and move-out, minimizing disputes over damages. We strive to provide maintenance solutions which aligns with preserving the landlord’s asset value.

3) Rental Fraud and Scams:

Fraudulent tenants and rental scams are rising, with criminals posing as reliable tenants using fake income proofs or references, then defaulting on rent or subletting illegally. Scammers also fake rental listings in order to scam prospective tenants leading to lost income. In 2025, sophisticated scams have caused significant financial losses, exacerbated by economic pressures and a competitive rental market.

Trust Property Rentals offers enhanced fraud prevention by verifying tenant identities and documents through TPN credit bureaus. We also verify references and ensure that employment status, income and bank account verification is conducted and checks out.

Trust Property Rentals’ approach to Minimize Risks

1) Comprehensive Tenant Screening: Leverage TPN RentCheck tools to assess credit scores (average tenant score: 647 in Q4 2024) and payment histories, ensuring only reliable tenants are selected.

2) Legal and Compliance Support: Provide access to legal experts familiar with the Rental Housing Act, PIE Act, and Consumer Protection Act to draft robust lease agreements and handle disputes or evictions efficiently, reducing legal risks.

3) Technology-Driven Management: We use WeConnectU and the Red Rabbit platforms for automated rent collection, virtual inspections, and real-time portfolio tracking, streamlining operations and enhancing transparency to both Landlords and Tenants

By addressing these pains with technology, legal expertise, and financial safeguards, Trust Property Rentals could significantly reduce risks for South African landlords.

Unit 5, Village Square 2
2 Village Place
Parklands
7441