Human Settlements Minister Connie September has requested the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EEAB) to thoroughly investigate the extent of alleged discriminatory practices by some landlords and estate agencies, following a recent media report.

The report revealed that some estate agents and landlords still wished for a South Africa whose people lived in segregated areas based on their skin colour, the Minister said, adding that it was an indication that the Department of Human Settlements (DHS) was correct in insisting that the transformation of the country’s real estate sector should always be among its priority issues.

September stated that the EEAB had agreed to look into the allegations, and that it would provide her with a clear report, recommending steps that had to be taken to stamp out such practices.

According to the Rental Housing Act, “in advertising a dwelling for purposes of leasing it, or in negotiating a lease with a prospective tenant, or during the term of a lease, a landlord may not unfairly discriminate against such prospective tenant or tenants, or the members of such tenant’s household or the bona fide visitors of such tenant, on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin, colour, age, disability, religion,  conscience, belief, culture, language and birth”.

The Minister called on members of the public to exercise their democratic right by lodging complaints of any kind of discrimination in the real estate sector at the nearest provincial Rental Housing Tribunal as mentioned in the Act.

“Our Rental Housing Tribunals have achieved success throughout the country resolving many issues related to rental housing. It is [also] important to emphasise the fact that the Rental Housing Tribunal services are free,” she said.

Meanwhile, the DHS had also introduced a Rental Housing Amendment Bill that was currently undergoing the Parliamentary process.

“Interested parties and members of the public are called upon to participate in the public hearings regarding this Bill, which will take place on January 29 and 30. This is an opportunity for all of us to strengthen the effect of this particular Bill,” September added.

Other South African measures aimed at guarding against discrimination included the Equality Court, the Consumer Commission and local magistrates' courts around the country.