Municipality sets its sights on illegal student communes
Homeowners who illegally rent out their properties for student communes could face the wrath of the law as the Newcastle Municipality intensifies efforts to address growing social issues.
There has been an explosion in student communes in residential areas near Majuba College without following the proper application process required by the municipality.
“Following numerous complaints from residents regarding excessive noise, unruly social parties, and the overloading of local infrastructure, municipal officials have conducted site visits to some of these properties,” the municipality stated in a recent statement.
In some instances, these illegal student communes house up to 30 individuals under a single roof, with substandard sanitation facilities and poor living conditions.
The municipality has expressed deep concern over the unsanitary conditions found during site visits, noting that the lack of proper sanitation and overcrowding pose serious health and safety risks to the students residing in these homes.
“The majority of these houses are in poor condition, and landlords fail to adhere to housing standards resulting in unsafe living environments,” the municipality warned.
As stipulated by the Newcastle Municipality’s Policy on Establishment of Communal Housing (Residential Communes), owners of property are supposed to seek special permission first in accordance with Schedule 4 of the Newcastle Municipality’s Spatial Planning and Land Use
Bylaws (SPLUMA Bylaws) before converting residential houses into student communes.
“Non-adherence to these laws can have dire consequences.”
Homeowners who are convicted of violating the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act No. 16 of 2013 are liable to a fine of up to R50,000.
Newcastle Municipality launched a campaign to monitor and regulate communal housing to address these issues.
Property owners are welcome to visit the offices of Development Planning & Human Settlement on the 4th floor of Newcastle Municipality Tower Block, 37 Murchison Street, Newcastle, 2940, for guidance and registration.
“The municipality appeals to all affected homeowners to comply before further action is taken.”
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