Most Rent Tribunal Decisions Go Against Landlords – A Warning Worth Heeding

Our take

While this research is UK-based, it carries a clear lesson for South African landlords and rental agents operating under the Rental Housing Act and its tribunal system. South Africa's Rental Housing Tribunals – active in provinces including Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal – similarly adjudicate rent disputes, and landlords who cannot substantiate proposed increases with comparable market evidence risk having those increases reduced or rejected entirely. For SA landlords, the practical takeaway is straightforward: before issuing any rent increase notice, gather solid comparable rental data for your suburb, document your reasoning, and ensure the proposed figure genuinely reflects open-market conditions. Increases that feel reasonable to a landlord but lack evidence are vulnerable. For tenants, this data is a reminder that formal dispute channels exist and do work. If a proposed increase seems out of step with the local market, a tribunal referral is a legitimate option. For rental agents, this reinforces the value of proper market appraisals at lease renewal – not just a finger-in-the-air figure. Getting the number right from the start protects both your landlord client and your professional reputation under EAAB obligations.