1. Work out what you can really afford
Rent is only part of the monthly bill. Before you search, add up what the place will cost you every month and what you must pay upfront.
- Rent: many people aim to keep this to about a third of their take-home pay or less.
- Utilities: prepaid electricity, water and refuse, and sometimes a levy or parking fee.
- Internet: fibre may need a set-up fee and a line to the property.
- Transport: a cheaper suburb can cost more once you add the commute.
- Upfront: the first month’s rent plus a deposit, commonly one to two months’ rent, and sometimes an admin fee.
2. Choose the areas that suit your life
Pick two or three areas rather than one, so you have choices. Look at how you will get to work or study, how safe the street feels at night and what is close by.
- Gauteng: Johannesburg, Sandton, Rosebank, Midrand, Pretoria and Centurion have very different prices and commutes. Check how near you are to the Gautrain, a taxi route or a main road.
- Western Cape: Cape Town is in high demand, especially near the city centre, the Atlantic Seaboard and Stellenbosch. Start early, and ask about seasonal or student rental periods.
- KwaZulu-Natal: Durban, Umhlanga, Morningside, Westville and Ballito each have their own feel. In humid coastal areas, check for damp and mould.
- Everywhere: ask about security, backup power or solar for load-shedding, and fibre coverage.
3. Search and set up alerts
Use the search on PropHive to filter by suburb, budget, bedrooms and move-in date. Save the search and turn on alerts so we email you when a new match is listed. Good places go fast.
- Rooms, apartments and houses are all in one search, so switch the type if you are open to more than one.
- Looking with friends or want a roommate? Post what you need and we will show matches and why they fit.
- Save the homes you like so you can compare them side by side.
4. Contact advertisers and ask the right questions
Message from the listing so there is a written record. Ask what you need to know before you spend time on a viewing.
- Is it still available, and from what date?
- What is the rent, the deposit and any other fee?
- What is included: water, electricity, internet, parking, a garden?
- How long is the lease, and how much notice do you need to give?
- Are pets, children or sharing allowed?
Be honest about who will live there and when you want to move. A good advertiser will do the same with you. Use the viewing tools to agree a time that suits you both.
5. View the place in person
Never rent a place you have not seen. Take a friend or tell someone where you are going, and look carefully.
- Check the walls, ceilings and bathrooms for damp, mould and leaks.
- Test taps, the geyser, plugs, lights, windows and locks.
- Look at the security: gate, burglar bars, alarm, lighting and how visitors get in.
- Check signal and Wi-Fi where you will work or sleep.
- Meet the person letting it and ask to see proof that they can let it, such as the owner’s permission or the agent’s Fidelity Fund Certificate.
6. Read the lease before you sign
A written lease protects you and the landlord. Read all of it, ask about anything unclear and keep a signed copy.
- Names of everyone on the lease, and the exact property.
- The rent, when and how it is paid, and any yearly increase.
- The deposit: how much, where it is held and when it is paid back.
- The start date, the length of the lease and the notice you must give.
- Who pays for what, and who fixes what.
Our guide on what to put in a rental or roommate agreement goes through this in more detail.
7. Pay safely and do the move-in inspection
- Pay only after you have viewed the property and signed the lease.
- Pay into the landlord’s or agency’s business or trust account, never cash or a personal e-wallet to someone you have not met, and keep proof of payment.
- Do a move-in inspection together before you move your things in. Write down every mark or fault, take dated photos and make sure you both sign the list.
- Keep the lease, the inspection list and proof of payment somewhere safe.
This guide is general information to help you, not legal advice. Laws and rules can change, and every situation is different. If you are unsure, ask an attorney or the Rental Housing Tribunal in your province.