The last two years have been some of the toughest ever experienced in South Africa\u2019s rental market. Pandemic-driven pressure saw tenant churn and vacancies climbing, tenant reliability and rental collections dropping, and already-slow average rental escalation entering negative territory.<\/p>\n
Despite less-than-ideal circumstances, the last half of 2021 showed the first signs of light at the end of the tunnel. Tenant payment behavior improved, churn dropped, and vacancies began to trend downwards.<\/p>\n
According to Jacqui Savage, national rentals manager for the Rawson Property Group, these positive indicators are likely to continue into 2022, even with ongoing concerns over Covid-19 and its economic fallout.<\/p>\n
These are the main trends she expects to be driving the positive momentum.<\/p>\n
Strong emphasis on tenant quality<\/strong><\/p>\n While 80% of existing tenants are now in good standing (up to date on their rental payments), Savage said it\u2019s become increasingly difficult to find new tenants that pass muster.<\/p>\n \u201cSince the start of Covid-19, we\u2019ve seen a huge drop in the quality of tenant applications,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s not unusual for up to 80% of applications for a rental property to be unsuitable.\u201d<\/p>\n As a result, landlords and their rental agents are casting their nets much wider to find quality tenants and subjecting applicants to far more stringent vetting procedures.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s just no room to take risks,\u201d said Savage. \u201cWith inflation, rising petrol prices, higher utilities and municipal charges, tenant affordability is being eroded on every side. It\u2019s become vital that tenants not only have stable income and a good track record, but also the ability to weather a few bumps in the road, should they come.\u201d<\/p>\n Because of these increasingly conservative tenant placement trends, Savage is optimistic that payment performance will continue to shift back towards pre-pandemic levels in the coming year. Landlords with a lighter touch on tenant vetting could have a different experience, however.<\/p>\n Greater focus on affordability<\/strong><\/p>\n As financial pressures increase, Savage said the rental industry\u2019s focus is extending beyond simply ensuring tenants meet affordability criteria. There are also proactive steps being taken to create more affordable rental opportunities, both through new developments and cost-saving improvements to existing properties.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019re going to see more developers focussing on the affordable rental housing space, tapping into trends like co-living and mixed-use properties,\u201d said Savage.<\/p>\n \u201cForward-thinking landlords are also going to be leveraging things like energy- and water-saving improvements to reduce costs for tenants, making their properties more affordable without necessarily having to sacrifice rental income.\u201d<\/p>\n Growing demand in \u201czoom towns\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n While rental properties in major metros may have their work cut out for them in 2022, Savage said demand in the so-called \u201czoom towns\u201d could well begin to outstrip supply in the coming year.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve seen an amazing about-face in demand, thanks to Covid and work-from-home,\u201d she said. \u201cWhere metros were once thriving rental centres, we\u2019re now seeing properties in small towns \u2013 particularly on the coast \u2013 flying off the metaphorical shelves.\u201d<\/p>\n With commute times no longer an issue, people are very clearly choosing quality of life over city proximity. Savage does not expect this to change any time soon, regardless of whether businesses return to some semblance of workplace normality in 2022.<\/p>\n Technology-driven service improvements<\/strong><\/p>\n Not everything to come out Covid-19 has been negative for property rentals. Savage said the pandemic has been an important push for the industry to embrace the power of technology.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no doubt that technology has improved the experience we\u2019re able to offer both landlords and tenants,\u201d she said. \u201cThings like virtual viewings, online lease applications and electronic leases with digital signatures have made the rental process much more efficient for everyone involved.\u201d<\/p>\n While the investment in technology came at a significant cost to many rental agents, Savage strongly believes it will pay real dividends in the coming months \u2013 both to the agents themselves and their clients.<\/p>\n “As rental agents get more familiar with digital tools and processes, their efficiency is going to grow exponentially,” she said.<\/p>\n “That\u2019ll free up a lot of time previously spent on mundane admin, providing a golden opportunity to refocus on the asset management element of their role. This will be the key to minimising risk and maximising returns for property investors in 2022, making the most of every opportunity the coming year holds.”<\/p>\n
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