When people talk about ‘tenure’, they mean the different ways in which you can own or occupy land or housing. When people use the term ‘security of tenure’ they mean that your right to stay where you are is secure. You cannot be thrown off or evicted easily.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF LAND TENURE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Private ownership: Private ownership means that a person or business owns the house or the land through having a registered title deed.

Communal ownership: This means people own land or property together as a community or as a group. This can be organised as a trust, Section 21 company, voluntary association or communal property association (CPA).

Renting: You can rent your house or land from its owner for a monthly fee.

LAWS THAT GIVE PEOPLE SECURITY OF TENURE

Tenure reform must give everybody the same amount of security wherever they stay. The following laws have been introduced to give people more security of tenure and prevent illegal evictions:

• Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA)
• Extension of Security of Tenure Amendment Act
• Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (PIE)