In Pretoria’s bustling suburbs of Sunnyside, Arcadia, and surrounding areas, property owners are facing a stern warning from the City of Tshwane: comply with municipal building regulations or face legal action. The issue stems from landlords illegally converting two-bedroom apartments into overcrowded five-bedroom units to maximize rental income, a practice that endangers vulnerable residents like students and young workers. Aaron Maluleka, the City’s MMC for Housing and Human Settlements, has called for immediate action to protect tenants and enforce compliance.
Sunnyside and Arcadia, popular for their proximity to universities and workplaces, are hotspots for affordable rentals. To capitalize on demand, some landlords have subdivided two-bedroom units into five-bedroom spaces by adding makeshift walls, often without municipal approval. These conversions violate Tshwane’s building regulations, including the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, which require approved plans for structural changes, adherence to fire safety standards, and compliance with zoning and occupancy limits.The risks are severe. Overcrowded units often lack proper ventilation, fire exits, or structural integrity, posing safety hazards. Poor sanitation and cramped conditions increase health risks, while tenants—many of whom are students or low-income workers—face exploitation through inflated rents for substandard living spaces.
On June 19, 2025, Tshwane launched a multi-disciplinary operation involving metro police, private security, and city officials to inspect illegally partitioned buildings in Sunnyside and Arcadia. MMC Maluleka emphasized, “These illegal partitions create dangerous living spaces to maximize profits. We will not tolerate practices that put our people at risk.” Property owners have been ordered to restore buildings to their approved layouts or face fines, forced evacuations, or condemnation of non-compliant structures. Recent operations in Sunnyside issued R80,000 in fines for related by-law violations, signaling the city’s commitment to enforcement.
For landlords, non-compliance risks significant penalties and legal proceedings. For tenants, unsafe living conditions threaten their well-being, while evictions from condemned buildings could exacerbate Tshwane’s housing shortage. The city’s “Reclaim Our City” campaign, led by Mayor Nasiphi Moya, aims to address such lawlessness, but balancing enforcement with affordable housing needs remains a challenge.
Property owners must submit modification plans to Tshwane’s Building Control Office and ensure fire safety compliance. Contact geoinfoservice@tshwane.gov.za for zoning inquiries or visit www.tshwane.gov.za for details. As inspections continue, Tshwane urges landlords to act swiftly to protect residents and avoid costly consequences.
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