Smart rentals start here: Your new year lease check-up

• Annual lease reviews prevent disputes, reduce risk and keep agreements aligned with laws, property conditions and market changes.
• Landlords must update clauses, responsibilities and new technologies to ensure leases stay accurate, compliant and legally defensible.
• Tenants should review costs, maintenance duties and new additions, asking questions to protect themselves and secure fair renewals.

A New Year, a fresh look at your lease

‍January is more than the start of a calendar year,it’s a financial reset for households and one of the busiest renewal periods in the rental market. According to Pieter van den Berg, Director at Just Property Prosper, this makes it the perfect moment for landlords and tenants to reassess their lease agreements.

A lease should never be a “sign-and-forget” document. When it becomes outdated or unclear, it exposes both sides to unnecessary risk. A simple annual review prevents disputes, reduces confusion and ensures both parties are protected.‍

Practical tips for Landlords: Keep it accurate and legally compliant

‍Too many landlords only revisit a lease when trouble arises. Van den Berg stresses that a proactive annual review is far more effective.

Key areas to update include:

• Escalation rates: Adjust increases to reflect current market conditions.
• Utilities and tariffs: Prepaid meters, separate billing or shared services must be clearly stated.
• Added technology: Backup power, solar, inverters, fibre or prepaid water systems must appear in writing.
• Maintenance duties: Specify responsibilities clearly to avoid future disputes.

Vague clauses remain the root of most rental disagreements. A single clarified sentence can prevent months of tension. Van den Berg also recommends ensuring full compliance with the Rental Housing Act, CPA and POPIA and conducting proper ingoing inspections with dated photos to protect both sides. Open communication, he adds, builds trust and long-term tenant retention.

Practical tips for Tenants: Review, question, protect yourself

‍Tenants often rush renewals, but a lease is their first line of defence. Before signing, they should review escalations, deposits, billing methods, maintenance responsibilities and notice periods. Any new technology added to the home from fibre to backup power must be written into the agreement.

‍

Tenants with strong payment records and good conduct have real negotiation power. As van den Berg notes, “A reasonable landlord will always prefer keeping a reliable tenant at a fair rent over risking a vacancy.” Asking questions isn’t confrontation, it’s protection.

‍

A clear lease sets the tone for a better year

‍With January’s financial pressures, it pays to start the year with a lease that is updated, clear and organised. A well-maintained lease protects the investment, the property and the people living in it. As van den Berg believes, a yearly check-up is one of the smartest habits in modern renting, for both sides of the agreement.

‍