In South Africa, short-term rentals are commonly known as "self-catering accommodations." In local languages, they may be referred to as "vakansieverblyf" in Afrikaans and "indawo yokulala yesikhashana" in isiZulu. The South African government, through the proposed Tourism Amendment Bill, recognizes and defines STRs as accommodations rented out for short periods, primarily to tourists and travelers. They are usually listed on platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, and other local platforms.

Under common law, subletting is legal in South Africa unless your lease agreement states otherwise. In many cases, you’ll find a clause in your lease agreement that prevents you from subletting your property without the written consent of your lessor or landlord.

Even if your lease agreement doesn’t explicitly stop you from subletting, you are still bound by the following:

• Municipal by-laws: In South Africa, local municipalities are authorised to regulate rental activity. You should check if there are any restrictions in place that prevent you from subletting property. The City of Cape Town, for example, allows short-term letting from a house or flat but for a period not exceeding 30 consecutive days for the same guest. However, you would still need to abide by any rules set by your body corporate or homeowners' association.
• Body corporate rules: Depending on the rules of your sectional title scheme, you may not have the right to let out your property on a short-term or long-term basis. This is often included as a regulation for short-term renters as they have less interest in keeping neighbours happy and pose a security risk.
• Terms of use for hosting services: Online marketplaces, like Airbnb, that specialise in short-term lettings for lodging and holidays are also clear on letting and subletting restrictions. Airbnb’s terms of service, for example, encourages hosts to comply with local laws, rules, regulations, and contracts with third parties before listing properties.

You can get into legal troubles and also be evicted from your rental property without permission. Check your lease agreement, local laws, body corporate rules, and the terms of service of your hosting site before taking the next step.

‍

Short-Term Rental Accommodation is referred to as renting out of a part or full residency, where the owner doesn’t live himself. This rental is allowed only for less than thirty (30) days at a time. Otherwise, the leasing will be considered as long term.

The Tourism Act requires that all establishments offering short-term accommodation for reward must be registered with the South African Tourism Grading Council. Access the procedue for the registration here and the registration procedure below;

To register your accommodation establishment with the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA), you must first ensure that your property meets all basic legal and safety requirements, including municipal approval, correct zoning, public liability insurance, and valid health and fire safety certificates. Once these are in place, you should identify the correct accommodation category for your property (such as hotel, guest house, or self-catering) and complete the online application on the TGCSA website under “Get Graded.”

As part of your application, you’ll need to upload supporting documents such as your tax clearance certificate, business registration documents, B-BBEE affidavit (if applicable), and proof of compliance with local authority regulations. After submitting your documents, you’ll be required to pay the necessary assessment and membership fees, although many small businesses or individual hosts can apply for financial support through the Tourism Grading Support Programme, which helps cover grading costs.

Once payment and documentation are complete, the TGCSA will assign an accredited assessor to your property. The assessor will conduct an on-site inspection to evaluate your accommodation against TGCSA’s national grading standards and will recommend a star rating from one to five stars. The final decision is made by the TGCSA Approvals Committee, and once approved, you will receive an official grading certificate and star plaque to display at your establishment.

Your property will then be added to the TGCSA’s official online directory of graded establishments, confirming it as a quality-assured accommodation provider in South Africa. The grading is valid for one year and must be renewed annually, which may include another inspection and updated fee payment.

‍
For further assitance or guide, please contact the lodge compliance team.