EMM fails residents – for now
“I pay my whole pension for rent and electricity,” were the words of Pauline Davis Court resident John de Bruin, who was under the impression his rent would decrease, but is instead increasing.
Market-related rental tariffs were due to be removed as of July 1; however, due to incorrect calculations, the report was resubmitted for analysis.
“The City approved a rental tariff determination in May 2017; however, it was incorrectly calculated,” said Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality spokesperson Themba Gadebe.
“The council will consider the final tariff to be paid in due course.”
In the meantime, not only will tenants pay the market-related rentals, but they will also see an annual increase of 10 per cent according to their lease agreement, Gadebe said.
“Many residents in these council flats are poor and do not have a steady income,” Ward 29 councillor Haseena Ismail said to the City Times in June.
“As a result, some residents have been evicted or they stay without lights because they cannot afford these high rentals and neither can they afford to make arrangements to pay off these arrears.”
According to Ismail, market-related rentals were calculated at 25 per cent of the owner’s income.
“Therefore, individuals were paying different amounts based on their income,” Ismail said.
De Bruin said his pension goes into rent and electricity and they are dependent on his wife’s pension for the monthly necessities, such as groceries.
“My rent and electricity is about R1 600, but not everyone pays the same amount,” de Bruin explained.
According to de Bruin, only those who moved into the council-owned flats since 2009 pay a higher rate.
Ismail also mentioned this agreement in June to the City Times.
“In 2008 the ANC with their majority passed a resolution that required tenants living in council flats to pay market-related rentals,” she explained.
Ward 73 councillor Sinethemba Matiwane said the promised tariffs need to be implemented.
“The tariffs were public knowledge for months and an expectation was created by council that elderly residents’ rent would come down,” Matiwane said.
“It will be a huge embarrassment if it is not implemented as soon as possible.”
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