Cannabis Farms in Rental Properties: What SA Landlords and Letting Agents Need to Watch For

Our take

While these cases are from the UK, the risk is real and growing in South Africa too — and SA landlords and letting agents should take note. Illegal cannabis cultivation inside rental properties is not uniquely a British problem; SA's expanding rental market, combined with the legal grey area created by the Constitutional Court's 2018 decriminalisation of private cannabis use, can make it harder for landlords to act decisively when they suspect something is wrong. For SA landlords and property managers, the practical takeaways are clear: conduct regular property inspections as permitted under the Rental Housing Act, ensure lease agreements explicitly prohibit illegal activity on the premises, and document the condition of the property — including utility meters — at the start of each tenancy. Bypassed electricity meters are a serious red flag; they expose landlords to liability with Eskom or the local municipality. Agents doing routine inspections should photograph meters and flag unusual modifications immediately. If you suspect illegal activity, contact SAPS rather than attempting to handle it yourself. Tenants, too, have a right to safe, law-abiding living environments — so reporting suspicions protects everyone in the building.