Does my rent include my electricity, water and sewerage?
- No; water, sewerage and refuse are all billed separately.
- Electricity is pre-paid in most buildings and can be bought at any supporting vendor.
- Water is billed according to the meter readings taken for your unit.
- Sewerage is billed at a fixed monthly rate according to the City of Johannesburg tariff schedule; this charge increases on 1 July each year.
What should I do to secure a unit?
Once your application is processed and approved, in order to secure the property, a minimum deposit that is equal to the administration fee is required. Should you not pay this, the unit will be treated as available for anyone to apply for and to secure.
Can I repair my car in the parking bay?
No; other tenants have the right to park their cars in a clean, uncluttered parking area.
How long does the application process take?
Applications that are personally submitted by tenants at our head office are processed on the spot, while applications submitted at the building take two business days.
Should I report vandalism, littering, loitering etc. to the Housing Supervisor or security?
Yes; on no account should you allow irresponsible people to affect the safety or cleanliness of the building you live in. Damaging property is a criminal offence. An individual may be prosecuted, and if convicted, will have a criminal record.
Do I have to pay for any damages caused by my visitors?
Yes; the situation is handled exactly as if you had caused the damage yourself. As the legal tenant, you are responsible for the behaviour of your visitors.
Can I change the lease to my co-tenant’s name?
Yes; we call this a change of name. You and the co-tenant must come to the Johannesburg Housing Company head office with the application form and supporting documents. Your deposit will be paid over to the co-tenant’s tenant account.