Chairperson, hon Minister and members, the demand for rental housing will be on the increase, with an expected 81 000 units needed per annum. As more people turn to the renting of property, the role of the Rental Housing Tribunals becomes critical to ensure that the tenants and landlords enjoy the best possible benefits rental housing can offer.
Controls on rental housing must be strengthened to protect residents against the drug trade and criminal elements. The effective functioning of the Rental Housing Tribunals is required if a fair and reasonable practice is to be enforced upon both tenants and landlords. The tribunals should be given sufficient authority, in co-operation with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, to enforce orders of eviction when required to do so.
Our courts are overstressed with case backlogs. It would be in the best interests of the relevant parties that the tribunals be given reasonable powers to effect efficient and timely justice in cases of any unlawful or unfair practice. The FD believes that the rental housing sector must be protected with the best legal framework possible and we, therefore, wholeheartedly support the Rental Housing Amendment Bill. I thank you.