Metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini explained that a lease agreement expires after two years and cannot be renewed unless the tenants in arrears make appropriate arrangements with the finance department.
“Tenants formed a group of 51 applicants who took the metro to the high court. “The court ruled, a few years ago, that no credit control was to be carried out on these applicants while the matter was in court.
“This meant they had access to free electricity and have accumulated about R6-million in debt to the City,” said Dlamini. He added the cases were eventually withdrawn and now payment arrangements for the arrears are being made.
“Tenants need to understand the terms and conditions of leasing a council-owned flat and the housing policy before signing.
“The new housing policy came into effect on October 1 and the rentals are in accordance with the income provided by the tenants. “Tenants within the income bracket of R800 to R7 500 have had their rentals adjusted according to the rental tariffs provided by the approved housing policy; however, some do not want to disclose their income,” Dlamini said.
Residents of Delhi Court in Actonville, who did not want to be named, expressed their dissatisfaction with the new housing policy. They explained that some residents have lived in the councilowned flats for 10 years and simply cannot afford to pay the new rental fees.
They added that a few residents stopped paying their rent “in protest” and recently received eviction notices from the metro.
Requirements to lease a council-owned flat: Dlamini said that the metro continuously engages tenants regarding their individual accumulated arrears and they are allowed to approach credit control in the finance department to make suitable arrangements and payments.
“Tenants are not immediately handed over. However, in some instances where there have been non-payment for several years (five to six years) of giving them numerous chances to make suitable payments and/or arrangements. It is noted that payments of rentals and arrears are compulsory.
“Should the efforts undertaken fail, the tenants are issued with a written notice, which once again indicates they should approach the finance department before handover is considered.
“At the time of the handover, the tenants receive correspondence from the appointed attorney or court, which can still be considered for withdrawal, should they cooperate.” No payment/payment plan
“The finance department has a credit control policy that is adhered to, even though the tenants have also been handed over to debt collectors for the accumulated debt. “In many instances, this is ignored by the tenants,” he said.
“Notices have been issued to the tenants, advising the lease agreements are available for viewing and signing.
“To date, about 200 of the 450 notices have acknowledged the new rental and signed their lease,” he disclosed.
“Many tenants who are in arrears have made arrangements and will be monitored for two to three months before signing off their lease.”
Advice from the metro
To pay less rent, tenants in bigger flats should move to smaller flats.
“Single and couple pensioners have the availability of a pension unit where rental is R215, which is way below the rental of a family unit,” he concluded.
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