Be realistic, SWC landlords told

2010-03-08 10:36

Johannesburg - Landlords should be realistic about rental prices for their properties during the 2010 Soccer World Cup, Randburg Rentals said on Monday.

"Landlords need to be realistic about how much they can expect to earn from renting out their properties during the 2010 Soccer World Cup," Tracy Pugin, director of Randburg Rentals.

The company deals with Seeff Property’s World Cup rentals in the Sandton and Randburg markets.

Don't rip off visitors

"Landlords need to take note of a request from the premier’s office that we, as a nation, need to be mindful of not ripping off our visitors."

Pugin said there had been ongoing criticism from the international media about the prices of accommodation and airfares.

"They suggest that the cost of airfares to a long haul destination coupled with inflated prices for accommodation have put the World Cup outside the reach of the average soccer fan."

Pugin said she had offered tenants to landlords who had rejected them.

"I have tenants who are willing to pay R50 000 for 16 days and four landlords have rejected them for this very reason."

She pointed out that, in the normal rental market, a four bedroom house in Sandton or Randburg would bring in between R8 000 and R12 000 per month.

"We are offering five to six times more over a shorter period and still finding owners saying a flat out no," she said.

Negotiate

Some home owners actually stood to lose more than they gained by refusing to negotiate prices.

"Many unrealistic owners, who think if they hang on they'll secure higher bookings right at the end, need to think again.

"For those who live in the home itself and are only planning to vacate for the period booked and stay with friends or relatives, this is fine."

However, Pugin said those who were sitting with rental properties were losing money by turning away long term leases in favour of short term, unrealistic rentals during a month long sporting event.

"Leases for up to two years would give them long term guaranteed income and immediate revenue."

Safety

Pugin said not all landlords were being unreasonable and some were prepared to drop prices drastically in favour of longer term bookings.

Those who had put up their properties for rental and well as those still considering doing so needed to realise that, because safety was of primary concern, the most wanted accommodation was in homes within complexes with electric fences and 24-hour security.

"Frequently requested home comforts include broadband, DSTV, gyms and spas as well as activities such as walking trails."

Pugin said proximity to stadiums was still a major deciding factor.

"We are lucky here in Sandton and Joburg, where almost 70% of the games are within a comfortable half an hour drive."

- SAPA