Residential Rent Relief Programme (RRRP) – Phase 2

The Residential Rent Relief Programme (RRRP) aims to help tenants in social housing who were financially affected because of the COVID-19 pandemic (these tenants or housing beneficiaries are defined in the Social Housing Act and Regulations). Tenants who were lost their jobs or had their income cut can apply for rent relief during the period of April 2020 to September 2020 only.

The RRRP is now in Phase 2 of implementations. The following changes have been effected for Phase 2 of the programme:

  • The revisions provide for an extension of the period to provide for 1 April 2020 up to 31 March 2021. It also considers the impact of the pandemic on the financial position of the landlords and proposes measures to address that.
  • Rent Relief could not be implemented from 1 April 2022 and final payments were made in March 2022 since the funds needed to be accounted for in the Annual Financial Statements of the SHRA. Further implementation was dependent on approval to retain the cash surplus from National Treasury, which has been received.
  • The rent relief funding is a temporary grant that will apply up to 31 March 2023 and it is a separate grant to assist and support, given the impact of the pandemic period (1 April 2020 – 31 March 2021).
  • It is anticipated that the revised framework and policy will assist the landlords with the historic debt that created major challenges for their day-to-day operations and still has a major impact on these landlords where it ultimately also affects security of tenure for tenants within the social housing projects.

Who can apply?

Only social housing delivery agents who have social housing units under their care [management] and are regulated by the SHRA. These agents can apply on behalf of their tenants. All social housing institutions including municipal-owned entities and other delivery agents are eligible to apply on an institutional basis behalf of their tenants.

What is the process

The landlord must complete the RRRP Phase 2 application form. Click here to download the application form.

What is the qualification criteria?

1.The Social Housing Institutions (SHIs) and Other Delivery Agents (ODAs) who are the landlords and who are accredited by the SHRA or have approved social housing projects under management where grant funding was made available to develop the social housing projects.

2.Beneficiaries where a valid lease agreement and proof of being adversely affected by the pandemic is made available.

3.The tenant is a South African citizen or is in possession of a valid South African permanent residence permit.

4.The tenant must have been renting the property for his/her private and primary residential use prior to 31 March 2020 in terms of a valid lease agreement (written).

5.The tenant’s combined household income must be R15,000 or less per month as on 31 March 2020.

6.The tenant must participate in a full means testing for the entire household.

7.The tenant must furnish proof that the income for the applicant has been reduced due to the state of disaster resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic – the material period for determination of loss of income is the period for which relief is sought (and not income at the time of application), and prioritization must be given to applicants that have experienced a reduction more than 50% in income.

8.The tenant must not have been in rental arrears, as at end of February 2020, OR if less than 30 days in arrears by end of March 2020, must have a repayment agreement in place.

9.The tenant demonstrates that she or he has been unable to pay full rental during the lockdown because of loss of income caused by the economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

10.The tenant is over 18 years of age on the date of lodging an application for the Residential Rent Relief.

Who do I contact for more information?

Email rentrelief@www.shra.org.za 

Call: 011 274 6200