Most landlords don't lose money because their property is a bad investment.
They lose money because something goes wrong during the tenancy.
The wrong tenant. Poor screening. A weak lease. Missed inspections. Ignored maintenance. Poor records. An emotional response to a difficult situation.
One mistake might cost a few hundred rand. Another could cost thousands.
And sometimes the biggest cost isn't the money you can see immediately — it's the time, stress and disruption that follows.
If you own a rental property in Boksburg, Germiston, Benoni, Kempton Park or elsewhere on the East Rand, here are 10 mistakes worth avoiding.
1. Choosing the Tenant Because You Like Them
A Good Conversation Isn't a Credit Report
It's natural to form an impression of someone when you meet them.
They may be friendly, polite, well dressed and appear to have a stable job.
None of those things tells you whether they are likely to pay their rent consistently.
Tenant selection should be based on objective information and an appropriate screening process rather than simply on whether you "like" the applicant.
A professional screening process can help landlords assess information such as affordability and credit risk before making a decision.
Don't Guess About Tenant Risk
A+ Properties offers professional tenant screening and risk assessment services for landlords.
Screen a Tenant2. Accepting the First Applicant Without Comparing the Risk
A vacant property costs money.
That can make a landlord feel pressured to accept the first person who appears to qualify.
But there is an important difference between reducing vacancy and rushing the tenant-selection process.
The objective should be to find a suitable tenant as efficiently as possible without abandoning proper screening.
3. Setting the Rental Price Based on What You Need
Your Bond Is Not the Market
One of the most common landlord mistakes is deciding that the property "needs" to achieve a certain rental because of the owner's bond repayment.
The market doesn't know what your bond payment is.
Rental pricing should be based on what comparable properties are achieving, the condition of the property, location, demand and the overall rental market.
Overpricing can result in a longer vacancy, fewer enquiries and eventually the landlord having to reduce the price anyway.
A realistic rental from the beginning can often be more valuable than an ambitious asking price that produces no suitable applicants.
4. Using Poor Advertising
Your rental advertisement is often the tenant's first impression of the property.
Dark photographs, incomplete information and vague descriptions can make a good property look unattractive.
A strong rental advertisement should make it easy for a prospective tenant to understand:
- Where the property is located
- What type of property it is
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms it has
- What amenities are included
- The rental amount
- Deposit requirements
- Utilities and electricity arrangements
- Pet rules
- Important application requirements
The objective is not simply to generate enquiries.
It is to generate enquiries from the right people.
5. Failing to Verify Important Information
Good property management involves documentation.
Landlords should keep appropriate records relating to the application, lease, inspections, payments, maintenance and important communications.
When something goes wrong, being able to produce a clear record can make a major difference.
If an important conversation happens, make sure there is an appropriate written record of what was agreed or discussed.
6. Ignoring the Importance of the Incoming Inspection
Imagine a tenant moves out after two years and there is disagreement about the condition of the property.
What did the property look like when they moved in?
Without a properly documented record, answering that question can become difficult.
An incoming inspection should establish the condition of the property at the start of the tenancy, with appropriate supporting photographs or documentation.
The same principle applies when the tenant leaves.
7. Treating Maintenance as an Optional Expense
Small Problems Rarely Become Smaller by Themselves
Maintenance can be frustrating because landlords don't always see an immediate financial return from spending money on a repair.
But postponing legitimate maintenance can allow a relatively small problem to become considerably more expensive.
Good landlords don't necessarily spend money recklessly. They identify problems, establish what is required and deal with legitimate maintenance appropriately.
8. Becoming Emotional When Rent Is Late
This is where some otherwise sensible landlords get themselves into trouble.
A tenant doesn't pay. The landlord becomes angry. Messages are sent. Threats are made. The landlord wants the tenant out immediately.
But rental disputes should be approached systematically.
Document the breach, communicate appropriately and understand the lawful process that applies to the situation.
9. Thinking You Have to Manage Everything Yourself
There is nothing wrong with being a self-managing landlord.
In fact, many owners prefer it.
But self-management doesn't have to mean having no professional support whatsoever.
You might be perfectly comfortable communicating with your tenant and collecting rent while still wanting professional assistance with screening, documentation, inspections or difficult situations.
A+ Properties provides support services for self-managing landlords who want to remain in control while having access to professional assistance when required.
Want to Self-Manage With Professional Backup?
You don't necessarily have to choose between doing everything yourself and handing over complete control of the property.
View Landlord Support10. Never Reviewing Whether You Should Still Own the Property
This may be the most important mistake of all.
Landlords sometimes become so focused on keeping the tenant and collecting the rent that they stop asking whether the property still makes sense as an investment.
Your circumstances can change.
The property's value can change. Rental demand can change. Your financial position can change. Your plans for the next five or ten years can change.
At some point, you should ask:
"If I didn't already own this property, would I choose to buy it today as an investment?"
If the answer is no, it may be worth investigating why.
Should You Keep Renting or Consider Selling?
The A+ Property Decision Score™ helps property owners work through the factors involved in deciding whether selling, renting, keeping or waiting may make the most sense for their circumstances.
Use the Property Decision Score™What About Tenants Protecting Themselves?
Landlords aren't the only people who need to be careful in the rental market.
Tenants also face risks, particularly from fake listings and people pretending to be property owners or authorised agents.
Before paying a deposit or other money, tenants should take reasonable steps to establish who they are dealing with and whether the person advertising the property has the authority to do so.
A+ Properties offers a Property Owner Verification Service to help tenants verify property ownership and the person or party advertising the property.
A Good Tenant Is Valuable — But So Is a Good Process
Every landlord wants a tenant who pays on time, looks after the property and communicates properly.
But good tenants aren't simply "found".
They need to be attracted with a well-presented property, assessed through a proper application process and placed under a clear lease.
Then the tenancy needs to be managed professionally.
The Bottom Line for East Rand Landlords
Owning a rental property can be a very worthwhile investment, but it isn't completely passive.
The landlord who treats the property like a business is generally in a much stronger position than the landlord who simply waits for the rent to arrive every month.
And you don't have to choose between being completely on your own and handing everything over to an agency.
Professional screening, support and advice can be used exactly where they add the most value.
Thinking About Renting Out Your Property?
A+ Properties can help you decide whether renting makes sense, find and assess a tenant, or provide support if you prefer to manage the property yourself.
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