Top 10 Red Flags When Renting Student Apartments In Pretoria 2025
As a student looking for accommodation in Pretoria, you are probably feeling pretty stressed about finding the right place. Trust me, I get it. The areas around University of Pretoria and Tshwane University of Technology are competitive, and places in Hatfield, Arcadia, and Sunnyside get snapped up quickly.
However, in your rush to secure housing, do not let desperation cloud your judgment. There are some serious red flags you need to watch out for to avoid getting scammed or ending up with a nightmare landlord.
1. Prices That Seem Too Good to Be True
If you are scrolling through rental listings and suddenly see an amazing apartment in Hatfield for way less than everything else, stop right there. I have seen this happen to friends, and it never ends well. Right now, shared places in Hatfield usually start around 3,000 Rand per month, and if you want your own space, expect to pay between 5,000 and 10,000 Rand monthly.
When landlords advertise places for much less, they are either hiding major problems with the property or setting you up for a scam. They hook you with the low price, then suddenly there are “additional fees” or they demand cash upfront without any paperwork. Always check what similar places are going for in the same area before getting excited about a bargain.
2. No Written Contract? Walk Away
This one is huge, and I cannot stress it enough. Any landlord who says “we can just do this verbally” or hands you some sketchy piece of paper with barely any details is bad news. South African law gives you the right to a proper written lease that spells out everything clearly.
Your lease should include exactly how much you pay, when you pay it, how long you are renting for, what the deposit covers, and what both you and your landlord are responsible for. Without this protection, you have basically no rights if things go wrong. I have heard horror stories of students getting evicted with no notice or facing surprise rent hikes because they had no written agreement to fall back on.
3. Demanding Big Cash Payments Before You Even See the Place
Here is where many students get caught. A landlord contacts you, maybe even shows you some photos, then immediately wants you to transfer thousands of Rand for deposits and rent before you have even signed anything or seen the property in person. This is a classic scam move.
Yes, deposits are normal – usually one or two months’ rent—but you should only pay after you have toured the property, signed a proper lease, and received official receipts. Legitimate landlords use bank transfers with proper references and give you documentation for everything. Anyone demanding cash transfers without letting you inspect the place first is trying to rip you off.
4. Refusing to Let You Actually See the Property
I know it sounds obvious, but you would be surprised how many students fall for this. Some landlords will send you photos and videos, make excuses about being out of town, or say the current tenant does not want viewings. Do not rent anything without seeing it with your own eyes first.
When you do get to inspect a place, really look around. Check that the taps work, test the lights, make sure the security features actually function, and take photos of any damage you notice. This last part is crucial because it protects you when you eventually move out and want your deposit back.
5. Properties That Look Run-Down or Unsafe
Safety has to be your number one concern, especially in areas like Hatfield, Arcadia, and Sunnyside. If you visit a property and notice broken security gates, dark corridors with burnt-out lights, electrical wires hanging loose, or plumbing that clearly has issues, those are major warning signs.
Landlords who do not maintain their properties properly usually do not care about their tenants either. You will likely struggle to get them to fix anything that breaks while you are living there, and the property might not even meet basic safety standards required by law.
6. Lease Terms That Sound Weird or Unfair
Read your lease agreement carefully, even if it seems boring. Watch out for strange clauses that seem heavily stacked in the landlord’s favor. Things like being able to raise your rent whenever they feel like it, not allowing you to have any visitors, making you pay for repairs that should be their responsibility, or saying they can enter your place whenever they want without giving you notice.
South African rental laws protect you from a lot of this nonsense. Landlords cannot just randomly increase your rent during a fixed-term lease, and they have to give you proper notice before entering your home except in real emergencies. If your lease tries to override these protections, that is a red flag.
7. Bad Reviews and Complaints Online
Before you commit to anything, do some detective work online. Check Google reviews, Facebook pages, student forums, and even ask around at your university. If you keep seeing complaints about a particular landlord or property management company, especially about things like keeping deposits unfairly, ignoring maintenance requests, or harassing tenants, stay away.
Your university housing office often knows which landlords to avoid too. They deal with student complaints all year round, so they usually have a pretty good sense of who the problem landlords are in the area.
8. High-Pressure Sales Tactics
Good landlords understand that choosing where to live is a big decision, especially when you might need to discuss it with your family first. Be suspicious of anyone who tries to rush you into signing immediately, claims there are tons of other people interested, or gets annoyed when you ask for time to think about it.
Scammers love using pressure tactics because they do not want you to have time to research them properly or ask other people for advice. Take your time, compare your options, and talk to people you trust before making any decisions.
9. Cannot Provide Proper Documentation
Your landlord should be able to show you official identification, proof that they actually own the property, and any permits required for rental properties in Pretoria. Some types of student accommodation need specific licenses to operate legally.
Ask to see the title deed, recent rates and taxes bills, and if it is a sectional title property, the body corporate certificates. If they cannot or will not show you these documents, they might not have the legal right to rent the property to you, or they could be running some kind of illegal operation.
10. Communication Goes Downhill Fast
Pay attention to how responsive your potential landlord is throughout the process. If they are quick to reply when they are trying to get you to sign, but suddenly become hard to reach when you have questions or concerns, that is a preview of what living there will be like.
Good property management means being available when tenants need help. Landlords who ignore you before you even move in will definitely ignore you once they have your money.
How to Protect Yourself
Beyond just spotting red flags, here are some practical steps you can take. Ask potential landlords for references from previous tenants, especially in high-turnover areas like Hatfield. Actually call these references and ask about their experience.
Consider working with estate agents who specialize in student housing. They usually screen landlords more thoroughly than you can on your own, and your university housing office probably has a list of approved agents they recommend.
Keep records of everything – every email, every payment, every photo you take during inspections. If something goes wrong later, this documentation will be your best friend when trying to resolve disputes or get your deposit back.
Know Your Rights
The Rental Housing Act is there to protect you, not just landlords. You cannot be discriminated against based on race, gender, nationality, or other personal characteristics. You have the right to challenge unreasonable rent increases through official channels, and you cannot be evicted without proper legal process.
Your landlord has to keep the property in livable condition and cannot just barge into your place without giving you reasonable notice. If you run into problems with a landlord who violates your rights, you can contact the Rental Housing Tribunal or get help from student legal aid services at most universities.
Conclusion
Finding good student accommodation in Pretoria takes time and effort, but it is worth doing properly. Start your search early so you are not making desperate last-minute decisions. Research every landlord and property thoroughly, and do not ignore warning signs just because your options seem limited.
Remember that the cheapest place is rarely the best value when you factor in safety, location, and whether your landlord will actually take care of problems when they come up. It is better to pay a bit more for a place that will support your studies rather than stress you out with constant issues.
By keeping an eye out for these red flags and taking the time to verify everything properly, you can find great student housing that makes your time at university in Pretoria much more enjoyable. Where you live has a huge impact on how well you do academically and how much you enjoy your university experience, so choose wisely.