Established in 2012,  the unit ensures that tenants uphold the conditions of their rental agreements as well as focusing specifically on criminal activities and anti-social behaviour that could affect the quality of life of tenants.

‘Officers not only protect City assets against illegal occupation, but they also act against threats to the rights of residents to stay in a safe environment and ensure that the conditions of rental agreements are honoured. The Housing Safety Unit works closely with other City departments to address criminal activities. By visiting and patrolling these rental units, officers have on numerous occasions gained valuable intelligence on criminal activities, which they relayed to their enforcement colleagues and the South African Police Service,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

One of the biggest challenges that the unit deals with is illegal occupation that often results in some rental units being known as places of the distribution and sale of drugs, as well as other criminal activities. The unit will investigate such occupations and criminal activities and will assist the South African Police Service in addressing the matter.

Other functions of the Housing Safety Unit include:

• Providing protection escorts to public housing and maintenance staff
• Ensuring that tenants are compliant with the City’s rental agreement
• Conduct surveys at rental units identified by housing officials for possible unlawful occupation
• Serve letters/legal notices issued by the local housing office
• Assist the sheriff of the court with evictions
• Attend to any by-law contraventions and take appropriate action
• Monitor the erection of illegal structures at rental stock and advise tenants to apply for the necessary permission
• Conduct house visits when complaints of anti-social behaviour are received

In the first quarter of this year (January to March), the HSU investigated 297 complaints, issued 172 compliance notices and 162 fines, served 101 notices, conducted 30 surveys and checked 66 rental properties, and made 28 arrests.

‘The City’s rental units are home to thousands of residents, and unfortunately, criminal elements have been known to intimidate tenants or for using rental units as a base to operate or coordinate illegal activities in these communities. We call on the public, community organisations and Neighbourhood Watches to assist our officers in reporting any criminal activity or by-law transgressions.

‘It is everyone’s responsibility to work together to protect community assets. Reporting suspicious activity will enable enforcement agencies to investigate and address the issue before it festers,’ said Alderman Smith.

Residents can report anti-social behaviour or criminal activity by phoning 021 480 7700 from a cellphone and 107 from a landline.

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