Western Cape Rental Housing Tribunal continues to address backlog

Between 1 October 2020 and 31 December 2020, the Western Cape Rental Housing Tribunal (WCRHT) has made significant progress in addressing its backlog, by reducing its cases from 1 635 to 1 167. This is a reduction of 468 cases.

Further to this, 614 complaints were entered, 1 513 cases were closed, while 1 529 remain open. In the previous quarter, between 1 July 2020 and 30 September 2020, the WCRHT reduced its cases from 1 903 to 1 635.

In terms of the Rental Housing Act No 50 of 1999, the Rental Housing Tribunal is legislated to finalise matters within 90 days.

It is pleasing to note how the WCRHT is working to reduce the backlog. This must be commended. During the past year the Tribunal had to contend with various challenges, none more so than the different coronavirus alert levels, which made their task more challenging.

The WCRHT has innovated to overcome these challenges. The optimal use of technology was adopted, and virtual hearings were conducted, while the very first WCRHT web and mobile app solution, which forms part of the WCG e-Service Portal, was also completed. This solution will enable citizens to register and track a complaint online.

All citizens are encouraged to register on the following website https://westerncapegov.custhelp.com/ and follow the simple instructions.

The effort by the WCRHT to conclude their cases, clearly demonstrates their commitment to assisting the residents of the Western Cape, where landlords and tenants might have disputes that requires a form of intervention. I’d like to thank the Chairperson, Mr. Lionel Esterhuizen and the entire Tribunal for their relentless efforts to assist our people.

As the WCRHT was established to assist the residents of the Western Cape, I’d like to encourage landlords and tenants who might be in need of the services of the WCRHT, to utilize it optimally. The type of disputes includes, for example:

• Failure to refund deposit
• Unlawful notice to vacate
• Exorbitant increase in rental
• Failure to accept notice
• Failure to provide municipal services
• Failure to pay rental
• Failure to do maintenance
• Unlawful eviction / illegal lockout
• Unlawful seizure of possessions

At this stage, the Rental Housing Tribunal can be contacted as follows:

Monday to Friday 08h00 – 16h00

021-483 5020
021-483 0645
021-483 2396

Rht.disputes@westerncape.gov.za

Rht.enquiries@westerncape.gov.za