RDP houses will now be fitted with solar panels

From 1 April RDP houses will be fitted with solar panels so that households can have access to basic electricity. 

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NEW APPROACH TO RDP HOUSING PROGRAMME

“Our focus will be on the changes we are making to the subsidy quantum, the enhancements we are making on fully subsidised housing (Breaking New Ground, commonly known as RDPs), and our new approach to the Emergency Housing Programme,” said Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi on Friday.

The minister said that the department will increase the subsidy quantum to 29.7% for the 2023/2024 financial year.

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“The adjustment will ensure that we speed up the pace of delivery and also deal with the quality of homes we provide to beneficiaries. Kubayi said that this change will make sure that households who are far from electricity infrastructure can have access to electricity.

“It has come to our attention that the RDP houses we provide to persons with disabilities are vulnerable to burglaries. For this reason, all the units delivered to persons with disabilities will be fitted with burglar bars.”

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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT BUYING RDP HOUSES

• In the event that you are offered an RDP house without the seller having the necessary documentation (title deed & permission), you should also report them to their local Housing Department and the Police.

• Remember, someone wanting to sell their RDP home cannot do so in the first 8 years of occupancy. After this it must be offered to the State first

• The seller must have written consent from the Department of Housing

• Once a house is sold, a letter of authority from the deeds office must be attached to the sale agreement

• There is no charge for title deeds.

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