Can the landlord and/or estate agent do a credit check on me?

After a second, very welcome, drop in the interest rate and inflation’s sharp upward trajectory seemingly curbed, investor sentiment is cautiously optimistic, and South Africans are once again looking to invest rather than divest with many turning to real estate which is traditionally regarded as one of the most stable investment options.

outh Africa’s rental market saw robust growth in Q3 2024, with average rents increasing to R8,856 and tenant affordability improving. For the first time since early 2023, tenants spent less than 30% of their income on rent, thanks to rising disposable incomes and easing debt pressures. The Western Cape led provincial growth at 9.3%, while Gauteng experienced slower growth at 3.1%. Lower inflation and interest rate cuts are expected to further strengthen tenant finances and support sustainable rental market growth.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in real estate has revolutionised property transactions, offering tools for better property analysis and customer engagement. However, criminals are exploiting these advancements to perpetrate sophisticated scams that can be used to target property buyers and sellers in South Africa.