Page 10 - The Ultimate Lanlord Guide_Neat

INSURANCE

Insurance is not specifically covered in the rental
legislation, but as a wise landlord, you SHOULD insure
your building and structure, and of course the
contents if your property is rented out as furnished.
You have an obligation to provide the rental property
for the tenant’s beneficial use and if the property is
damaged by example fire, it needs to be restored
without delay. Insurance is usually the best way to
ensure this. Should the property be in a Sectional Title
Scheme, the Body Corporate usually carries the

insurance of the building, but double check that you
are correctly covered.

The tenant is however usually responsible to insure
their own goods during the lease.

DURING THE LEASE PERIOD

As landlord you are obliged to ensure that the tenant
receives undisturbed beneficial use of the property
that is reasonably fit for human habitation.

In terms of the Rental Housing Act, the tenant has the right to privacy and as such the
landlord may only exercise his right to inspection in a reasonable manner and after
reasonable notice to the tenant. You may then only enter the property for the following
reasons:

To inspect the property and premises
To make repairs to the property

To show the property to any prospective tenant, purchaser, bank or its agents
If the property appears to be abandoned by the tenant
Pursuant to an order of court

The tenant has the right against the landlord not to have:

Their person or home searched
Their property searched
Their possessions seized (except in terms of the law with a court order)
The privacy of their communications infringed

Etchells and Young Property Brokers P A G E 9