Petition calls for regulations on residential properties in Edenvale enforced

After an online petition was established, concerns about overcrowding and unlawful room rentals in Edenvale reared its head.

The petition started anonymously, calls for action from the council, local law enforcement authorities, town planning and immigration to increase efforts to monitor housing practices, enforce housing regulations and take action to eliminate such practices.

As of August 30, the online petition had garnered 1 247 signatures. Its goal was 2 000.

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In the hope of gaining insight into this problem, the Bedfordview and Edenvale News spoke to Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart, the Shadow MMC for City Planning in Ekurhuleni.

“We have a severe socio-economic problem in this country. Our economy is barely growing, and there is no creation of jobs or prosperity are being created.”

Hart said as is happening elsewhere, people seeking employment gravitate towards cities and towns such as Edenvale.

She said there are scenarios where migratory workers stay near their place of work and visit their families on weekends or during holidays.

“It makes sense for them to find accommodation near their workplace.”

Hart said acceptable and affordable accommodation would have been provided if there was a functioning state, city, or municipality.

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“We need affordable housing or a block of bachelor flats. If this were available, community members would not need to spend money sharing accommodation in a room or house.”

Hart said while that is not an issue, what does become a problem are the associated side effects when properties are neglected and pavements not maintained.

“The problem arises when somebody else profits off the deterioration of surrounding property values.”

Another issue on which Hart has received several complaints is that Edenvale is suburbia, not a city.

“There is a difference between a family living next door and a group of young people wanting to party all weekend.”

Hart explained that the way this problem arose is an interesting phenomenon.

“I think it starts with an ageing population and pensioners who can no longer look after their properties. The elderly then sell to an opportunistic buyer. In a good scenario, the buyer renovates and resells the property.

“In many instances, it is seen as an opportunity for a landlord to buy a property at low cost and start generating income by renting to people looking for work,” she said.

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Although there is a process to apply for densification or rezoning properties, it is not done, and this irritates and frustrates the surrounding residents.

Following the petition’s start, Hart has received a list of 180 properties in the Avenues suspected of being in contravention.

Hart said when there is a situation when rooms are rented, the neighbours need to escalate the matter to city planning or their local ward councillor.

“A big reason residents need to report these situations is because city planning could limit the number of persons staying in a house and on a property. By rule of thumb, 10 people is what an average house and services can accommodate,” said Hart.

Hart explained that when a property gets reported, the local councillor or one of the two development control inspectors for the greater Edenvale area visits it to verify the information.

“If it appears there are contraventions, it is escalated to city planning, which handles the situation,” said Hart
She said property owners who do not comply could face fines of R15 000 monthly.

Hart highlighted that not all properties where room rentals occur are problematic. She said some are well-maintained and look like ordinary suburban properties.

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Hart called on residents to unite and work together to report matters of overcrowding at properties. She said they could do this through the CoE’s customer care centres, via email, at the city planning offices or through local councillors.

Hart appealed to residents to understand the situation of those needing affordable housing and urged the community to come together.

Residents can email the CoE’s City Planning Department via Samke.ngcobo@ekurhuleni.gov.za, Elsebe.steyn@ekurhuleni.gov.za, and Fani.mabena@ekurhuleni.gov.za.
Alternatively, residents can email Hart on Heather.Hart@ekurhuleni.gov.za