Can I stay in the unit if I’m divorced, separated from the legal tenant, or the legal tenant dies?
No; the person who signed the lease is the legal tenant. In the case of a death or a divorce, the family member remaining in the flat should contact the Johannesburg Housing Company immediately, produce a death or divorce certificate, and sign a new lease agreement in their name. This will be treated as a new application and the new applicant must meet the JHC’s qualifying criteria.
Do I have to maintain my unit?
Yes; you should aim to hand back your unit at the end of your tenancy in the same state as you found it when you moved in. You will then get your deposit with interest refunded.
Can I make alterations or additions to my rental unit?
No alterations of any kind may be made.
Maintenance Issue Reporting
If there is a repair that needs to be done in your unit, make an entry in the Maintenance Register at Security. Emergency repairs are attended to immediately. The will HSV tell you how and when the repair will be done, and will complete a Task Order. The repair should be completed within 7 working days, unless you are told differently by the HSV. Please make your keys available for the service provider and HSV to access your unit. Once the repair is done and the HSV is happy with the quality of work, he will bring you the Task Order and, if it is your responsibility to pay for the repair, he will tell you how much it costs. You will sign the Task Order when the repair is completed and you are satisfied.
Can I change the people who share my unit with me?
Yes; you must complete a change of occupant form. The names of the old occupants who have moved out must be stated on the form and the new ones who have moved in must provide copies of their ID books or passports and a contact number. You are responsible for all the occupants living with you. If they no longer live with you, you are required to inform the building supervisor to disconnect their fingerprint so they do not have access to the building.
Can I sub-let a part of my unit?
No; you can share your unit with another person but you may not move out and leave the flat to someone else as you, the leaseholder, are fully responsible and liable for all charges relating to the property.
Can I change the door locks without informing the JHC?
No; if you need to change your locks for any reason, you must tell your building manager and the work will be carried out by JHC contractors, at your expense. The JHC needs to be able to access any unit in an emergency.
Can I rent a parking bay as well?
Yes; you need to complete a separate parking application form, which can be done at the building when you first move into your new flat, or any time thereafter, and you will need to sign a separate lease for the parking bay.
How much will I need to pay?
Before signing a lease, you must pay a once-off administration fee, a deposit equalling to one month’s rent, a R500 utility deposit and the first month’s rental charges. The total amount you will need to pay to move in will vary between buildings and your application type. If you are self-employed you will need to pay a double deposit.