RentEZ | South Africa's Direct-to-Landlord Rental Platform

Welcome to RentEZ. The utilisation of this platform constitutes your acknowledgment of, and agreement to be bound by, the following terms and conditions. Kindly peruse these terms with due diligence prior to accessing or utilising our services.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or utilising the RentEZ platform, hereinafter referred to as "the Platform", you hereby acknowledge and consent to be legally bound by these Terms and Conditions of Service, hereinafter referred to as "the Terms". Should you not agree to these Terms, you are hereby advised to refrain from utilising the Platform.

These Terms constitute a legally enforceable agreement between yourself and RentEZ (Proprietary) Limited, registration number 2023/123456/07, hereinafter referred to as "the Company", regarding your utilisation of the Platform. You may utilise the Platform only if you possess the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract with the Company and are not prohibited from receiving services under the laws of the Republic of South Africa or other applicable jurisdictions.

2. Platform Description

The Platform is designed to facilitate direct connections between lessors (hereinafter referred to as "Landlords") and lessees (hereinafter referred to as "Tenants"), thereby eliminating the necessity for traditional rental agents. The Platform enables Landlords to list immovable properties, Tenants to search for and apply to such properties, and both parties to manage their lease agreements.

The Platform provides digital tools for property listings, tenant applications, identity verification, background checks, digital lease agreements, secure payment processing, maintenance request management, and inter-party communication.

Our core services include but are not limited to:

Property Listing Management: Tools enabling Landlords to create, edit, and remove property listings with detailed information and media
Tenant Matching: Advanced search and filtering capabilities enabling Tenants to identify suitable properties based on specified preferences
Verification Services: Comprehensive background checks and verification processes for both Landlords and Tenants
Digital Lease Management: Creation, signing, storage, and management of legally compliant lease documents in accordance with the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999, as amended
Secure Payment Processing: Collection and distribution of rental payments, deposits, and fees with transaction records in compliance with applicable financial regulations
Maintenance Request System: Submission, tracking, and resolution of property maintenance issues
Communication Tools: Secure messaging and notification systems for Landlord-Tenant communication
Document Storage: Secure cloud storage for all rental-related documentation in compliance with the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002
Inspection Management: Scheduling and documentation of property inspections
Rental Analytics: Reports and insights on rental property performance for Landlords

3. Account Registration

To access certain features of the Platform, you are required to register for an account. You hereby undertake to provide accurate, current, and complete information during the registration process and to update such information as necessary to maintain its accuracy, currency, and completeness.

You shall be solely responsible for safeguarding your password and for all activities that occur under your account. You undertake to notify the Company immediately of any unauthorised use of your account. The Company shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with this provision.

Users must be at least 18 years of age to create an account. By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement and possess the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts under South African law.

Account types include:

Tenant Accounts: For natural persons seeking rental properties, with features for applications, payments, and communication
Landlord Accounts: For property owners, with features for property management, tenant screening, and rental income tracking
Property Manager Accounts: For professional property managers managing multiple properties on behalf of owners, subject to proof of mandate

Each account type has specific verification requirements to ensure the security and integrity of the Platform. The Company reserves the right to request additional verification documents or information at its discretion.

4. Landlord Obligations

As a Landlord utilising the Platform, you hereby undertake to:

Provide accurate and complete information regarding your properties
Comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the Republic of South Africa, including but not limited to the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999, the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, and the Property Practitioners Act 22 of 2019
Manage tenant deposits in accordance with Section 5 of the Rental Housing Act
Respond to tenant enquiries and maintenance requests within reasonable timeframes
Pay all applicable Platform fees (4% of monthly rental amount)
Maintain properties in a habitable condition as required by Section 13 of the Rental Housing Act
Respect tenant privacy and provide proper notice before entering the property as per the Rental Housing Act
Disclose all material defects and information about the property in accordance with Section 67 of the Property Practitioners Act
Process rental applications without unfair discrimination as prohibited by Section 4 of the Rental Housing Act and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000
Maintain appropriate insurance coverage for the property
Comply with all health and safety regulations applicable to rental properties

Additional Landlord obligations include:

Conducting property inspections at reasonable intervals and with proper notice as prescribed by law
Providing detailed property condition reports (ingoing and outgoing inspection reports) as required by Section 5(3) of the Rental Housing Act
Ensuring all electrical, plumbing, and structural elements of the property meet safety standards and comply with applicable municipal by-laws
Maintaining accurate and complete records of all transactions and communications for a period of at least three years
Obtaining necessary permits, certificates, and compliance certificates required by local regulations
Responding to emergency maintenance requests within 24 hours
Providing tenants with all necessary information about the property, including utility connections, waste disposal, and emergency procedures

5. Tenant Obligations

As a Tenant utilising the Platform, you hereby undertake to:

Provide accurate information in your profile and applications
Pay the R100 application fee when applying for properties
Submit all required verification documents
Adhere to the terms of your lease agreement
Report maintenance issues through the Platform
Pay rent and other charges on time through the Platform's payment system
Not engage in illegal activities on the rental property
Maintain the property in a clean and sanitary condition
Not effect alterations to the property without the Landlord's prior written consent
Allow reasonable access to the property for inspections, repairs, and viewings, subject to reasonable notice being provided
Provide proper notice before vacating the property as specified in your lease agreement and Section 5(5) of the Rental Housing Act
Return the property in the same condition as when received, fair wear and tear excepted

Additionally, Tenants undertake to:

Promptly report any damage to the property beyond fair wear and tear
Utilise all facilities and appliances in accordance with their intended purpose and operating instructions
Maintain smoke detectors and other safety equipment in working order, replacing batteries as needed
Adhere to all building rules and regulations, including noise restrictions and common area usage
Obtain tenant's insurance to protect personal belongings, if not included in the lease agreement
Not conduct business activities from the property without proper authorisation
Respect the privacy and rights of neighbouring tenants and property owners
Return all keys and access devices upon termination of the lease
Remove all personal belongings when vacating the property
Provide updated contact information if changes occur during the lease term

6. Fees and Payments

The Company levies the following fees:

Landlords: 4% of monthly rental amount (half of the industry standard)
Tenants: R100 application fee per property application

All payments must be made through the Platform's secure payment system. Refunds are subject to our Refund Policy.

Payment processing is handled via secure third-party payment processors. The Company does not store credit card information. Landlords shall receive rental payments within 2 business days of processing. For tax purposes, Landlords are responsible for reporting all income received through the Platform to the South African Revenue Service.

Late fees for overdue rent payments shall be assessed according to the terms specified in the lease agreement, subject to the provisions of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005 and the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008. All Platform fees are non-refundable unless otherwise specified in our Refund Policy.

Our fee structure includes the following details:

Landlord Platform Fee (4%): Calculated on the monthly rental amount, billed monthly and deducted automatically from rent payments processed through the Platform
Tenant Application Fee (R100): Non-refundable, covers processing costs, credit checks, and employment verification
Optional Premium Listing Fee: Enhanced visibility for property listings, fees vary based on listing duration and features
Dispute Mediation Fee: Applicable when utilising our optional mediation services, charged at R500 per mediation session
Document Customisation Fee: For customised lease agreement drafting beyond the standard templates, R250 per document
Late Payment Processing Fee: R50 for each late payment processed, in addition to any late fees specified in the lease agreement

Payment methods accepted include Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), debit card, credit card, and instant EFT. All transaction fees charged by payment processors are absorbed by the Company and not passed on to users.

7. Property Listings

Landlords shall be solely responsible for the accuracy of their property listings. The Company reserves the right to remove listings that are found to be fraudulent, illegal, or in violation of these Terms.

Listings must include accurate information about the property, including but not limited to: rental price, deposit amount, available date, property size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, amenities, pet policies, smoking policies, and any additional fees or charges.

Landlords must upload clear, current photographs of the property that accurately represent its condition. Misleading photographs or descriptions may result in removal of the listing and possible suspension of account privileges.

Listings must comply with all fair housing laws and may not indicate preferences based on protected characteristics under South African law, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language, or birth.

8. Verification Process

The Company provides identity verification for both Landlords and Tenants. Tenants must upload verification documents including identity document, payslips, and bank statements. The Company verifies that tenant income meets the 3x rental income requirement before presenting applications to Landlords.

Our comprehensive verification process involves these specific steps:

Identity Verification: Government-issued identity document validation through electronic verification systems, matching against national databases
Credit Assessment: Full credit reports from TransUnion and/or Experian, including credit score, payment history, defaults, judgments, and debt levels
Income Verification: Three months of bank statements and three months of payslips, with automated analysis to confirm 3x income-to-rent ratio
Employment Confirmation: Direct contact with employers to verify employment status, position, and tenure
Rental History: References from previous Landlords with standardised questions about payment history, property condition, and lease compliance
Criminal Background: Criminal record checks through authorised agencies, screening for relevant housing-related offences
Property Ownership Verification: For Landlords, title deed verification through property registry databases
FICA Compliance: Anti-money laundering checks in accordance with Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001 requirements

Results of verification checks are presented in a standardised report format with clear indicators of risk levels. All verification data is held securely and managed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013.

9. Lease Agreements

The Company provides digital lease agreement templates that comply with South African law. Users are responsible for reviewing these agreements before signing. The Platform facilitates electronic signing in compliance with the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002.

Our standard lease agreements include terms covering:

Rental amount and payment schedule
Lease duration and renewal options
Security deposit amount and conditions for return
Maintenance responsibilities of both parties
Rules regarding alterations to the property
Pet policies and associated deposits or fees
Noise and nuisance restrictions
Subletting and assignment restrictions
Early termination provisions
Default and remedies

Landlords may customise these templates or upload their own lease agreements, provided they comply with South African law. The Company does not provide legal advice regarding lease terms; users are encouraged to consult with legal practitioners for specific concerns.

10. Deposit Management

All rental deposits must be managed in accordance with Section 5(3) of the Rental Housing Act, including being held in interest-bearing accounts. The Company provides tools to track deposit status and accrued interest.

Security deposits must be placed in separate interest-bearing accounts as required by the Rental Housing Act. Interest accrues to the benefit of the Tenant. The Platform facilitates transparent deposit management with the following features:

Interest-Bearing Trust Accounts: All deposits are held in separate trust accounts with major South African banks, generating interest at prevailing savings rates
Quarterly Interest Statements: Automated statements showing deposit amounts and accrued interest
Detailed Property Condition Reports: Interactive digital inspection forms with photo/video upload capabilities to document property condition
Transparent Deduction Process: Itemised deduction requests from Landlords with supporting documentation requirements
Tenant Review Period: 7-day review period for Tenants to challenge proposed deductions
Expedited Release Timeline: Undisputed deposit amounts returned within 5 business days of lease termination
Dispute Resolution Mechanism: Structured mediation process for contested deposit claims
Regulatory Compliance: Full compliance with the Rental Housing Act's deposit management requirements

Landlords must document and justify any deductions from the security deposit. Tenants have the right to dispute deductions through the Platform's resolution process.

11. Prohibited Activities

The following activities are prohibited on the Platform:

Posting fraudulent or misleading property listings
Submitting false personal or financial information
Circumventing the Platform to avoid fees
Discriminatory practices in violation of South African law
Any illegal activities
Harassment or abusive behaviour toward other users
Creating multiple accounts for deceptive purposes
Scraping or collecting data from the Platform without authorisation
Using the Platform to send spam or unsolicited communications
Attempting to gain unauthorised access to the Platform or other users' accounts
Violating intellectual property rights
Using the Platform for any purpose other than legitimate rental activities

Violation of these prohibitions may result in immediate account suspension, termination, and possible legal action.

12. Privacy and Data Protection

The Company collects and processes personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013.

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, loss, or damage. User data may be processed for the following purposes:

Account management and authentication
Processing property listings and applications
Facilitating communication between users
Conducting verification and background checks
Processing payments and managing financial transactions
Providing customer support
Improving our services and developing new features
Complying with legal obligations

Users have the right to access, correct, update, or request deletion of their personal information as outlined in our Privacy Policy. The Company does not sell personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

13. Limitation of Liability

The Company provides a platform to connect Landlords and Tenants but is not a party to any lease agreement between users. The Company shall not be liable for any disputes arising between Landlords and Tenants, property conditions, or breaches of lease agreements.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Company disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

The Company shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of profits, data, or goodwill, service interruption, computer damage, or system failure resulting from your use of the Platform.

In no event shall the Company's aggregate liability for all claims relating to the Platform exceed the greater of R1,000 or the amount paid by you to the Company in the 12 months preceding the incident giving rise to the claim.

14. Indemnification

You hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its affiliates, officers, employees, agents, and partners from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the Platform or any violation of these Terms.

This indemnification includes, but is not limited to:

Claims related to inaccurate or misleading property listings
Disputes between Landlords and Tenants
Violations of applicable laws or regulations
Breach of lease agreements
Damage to property
Any third-party claims arising from your actions on the Platform

The Company reserves the right to assume the exclusive defence and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you, in which event you will cooperate with the Company in asserting any available defences.

15. Termination

The Company reserves the right to terminate or suspend your account at any time for violations of these Terms or for any other reason at our discretion. You may terminate your account at any time, subject to the completion of any ongoing obligations.

Upon termination:

All licences and rights to use the Platform will cease
Active property listings will be removed
Pending applications will be cancelled
Access to digital lease agreements will be restricted
You remain responsible for any outstanding fees or obligations

The Company may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes. The sections of these Terms relating to Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, Dispute Resolution, and Governing Law will survive termination.

16. Changes to Terms

The Company reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. We shall provide notice of significant changes through the Platform. Your continued use of the Platform after such changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

We shall notify users of material changes via email or through a prominent notice on the Platform at least 14 days before the changes take effect. For less significant changes, notice may be provided within the Platform without direct notification.

If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must cease using the Platform. The effective date of the current Terms is displayed at the bottom of this page.

17. Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute between users, the Company encourages parties to first attempt to resolve the matter directly. The Platform provides a messaging system to facilitate communication.

Our dispute resolution framework consists of multiple stages:

Direct Communication: Parties are encouraged to resolve disputes through the Platform's messaging system, with all communications recorded for reference
Platform Assistance: Basic dispute guidance provided by customer support representatives at no additional cost
Formal Mediation: Structured mediation sessions facilitated by trained mediators for R500 per session, resulting in written mediation agreements
Binding Arbitration: If mediation fails, disputes may proceed to arbitration in accordance with the rules of the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA), unless prohibited by applicable law
Legal Proceedings: As a last resort, parties may pursue remedies through the Rental Housing Tribunal established under the Rental Housing Act or the courts of the Republic of South Africa

The Platform maintains detailed records of all dispute proceedings, which may be made available as evidence in formal proceedings if required. The Company reserves the right to implement and enforce the findings of arbitrators or courts with respect to Platform usage and account status.

18. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Republic of South Africa.

You agree that the application of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is expressly excluded from these Terms.

19. Intellectual Property

The Platform, including all content, features, and functionality, is owned by the Company and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws of the Republic of South Africa and international conventions.

Users retain ownership of content they submit, post, or display on the Platform. By submitting content, you grant the Company a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, and display such content for the purposes of providing and promoting the service.

You may not use the Company's logo or other proprietary graphic or trademark without express written permission.

20. Contact Information

For any enquiries or concerns regarding these Terms and Conditions of Service, please contact us at:

Email: support@rentez.co.za

Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM SAST (excluding public holidays)

Response Time: We endeavour to respond to all enquiries within 1 business day

Last updated: 2025/04/28