On Thursday, 7 May 2026, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) launched two new research brief series examining land and housing through a women’s equality lens. The briefs focus on rental disputes in the inner city of Johannesburg, as well as their access to South Africa’s formal system of registered property.
The first series, Access to formal property: title deeds and sales in execution, explores the historical, legal and structural barriers that continue to shape women’s access to secure tenure. It provides an overview of South Africa’s registered property system, referring to legally recognised tenure arrangements recorded in the national deeds registry. While this system includes individual ownership, it extends beyond it and stands in contrast to the informal, off-register systems that many women still rely on.
- Brief 1: Historical and Contemporary Barriers to Registered Property
- Brief 2: Registered Title Deeds
- Brief 3: Loss of Homes Due to IndebtednessLoss of Homes Due to IndebtednessLoss of Homes Due to Indebtedness
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The second series, Rental disputes in the inner city of Johannesburg, examines rental disputes and how conflict between landlords and tenants is produced, managed and resolved. It highlights how disputes often arise from insecure tenure, informal agreements, unaffordable rent and poor living conditions, alongside power imbalances between landlords and tenants. While legal mechanisms exist, many tenants, particularly women, struggle to access effective remedies. The research also documents how renters and community-based organisations have developed local, informal dispute resolution practices.
- Brief 1: An Introduction and Overview
- Brief 2: Common Types of Rental Housing Disputes
- Brief 3: Statutory and Judicial Dispute Resolution Mechanisms
- Brief 4: Dispute Resolution Mechanisms Outside the Courts
- Brief 5: Gendered Dimensions of Rental Disputes
- Brief 6: The Cost of Being a Woman
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The launch kicked off with presentation on the research briefs from lead researchers Lauren Royston and Nolwazi Mahlangu. The launch featured a panel discussion with both researchers, including, Matthew Wilhelm-Solomon and Freedah Motshwane. Although attendance was smaller than anticipated, the discussion was engaged and substantive. The setting allowed for meaningful contributions from a range of stakeholders, including academics, representatives from the Department of Human Settlements, and officials from the Gauteng Rental Housing Tribunal.
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A representative from the Tribunal contributed to the discussion by responding to findings on the accessibility and effectiveness of the Tribunal. She noted ongoing efforts to improve public awareness through a new marketing campaign, including the use of social media. She also highlighted practical challenges in enforcing rulings, particularly where tenants are unable to identify or locate landlords. The Tribunal confirmed that most disputes relate to non-payment of rent and indicated that a fraud and corruption unit is in place to address allegations of misconduct.
An important outcome of the launch was the Tribunal’s invitation to engage further with civil society organisations. This presents an opportunity for collaboration, particularly as SERI’s Women’s Spaces project moves into its advocacy phase.
This workshop forms part of the Women’s Spaces project at SERI which focuses on women’s rights to land and housing in sub-Saharan Africa. The project is supported by Rooftops Canada and Global Affairs Canada.
