Locking Out a Tenant by Changing the Locks: Why It’s Unlawful and the Serious Consequences Under South African Law
Introduction Disputes between landlords and tenants over unpaid rent, alleged lease breaches, or property damage can be highly stressful. However, taking matters into your own hands—specifically by changing the locks to lock a tenant out—runs directly afoul of South Africa’s constitutional and statutory protections. This article explores in depth why unilateral lockouts constitute unlawful eviction, […]