Frequently Asked Questions
General
You can call us at +27 11 568 5240 Alternatively, email us at admin@preferental.com
Our head office is in Ferndale, Randburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng.
Preferental provide both placement and management service. Kindly follow the link below to to see our services packages.
preferental.com/services
You can view our full pricing structure at preferental.com/services.
Didn’t find what you were looking for?
General
You are welcome to contact us on +27 11 568 5240, or alternatively email us at admin@preferental.com for assistance.
Our head office is located in Ferndale, Randburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng.
You can email us at admin@preferental.com
Preferental offers both tenant placement and property management services, with a modern approach tailored to landlords. You can explore our full range of service packages at preferental.com/services
We charge a monthly admin fee of R199, along with a percentage based on the package you select (Basic, Legal, Standard or Premium). Full details are available at preferental.com/pricing.
With regards to the PLACEMENT SERVICES we offer the following inclusions:
Property Listing
R249 per listing on Property24, MyProperty, Private Property, IOL and Gumtree
We list your property on all major platforms to maximise visibility and attract high-quality tenants. Our team manages the advertisement and connects you with interested applicants to schedule viewings. Boosting options are also available for increased exposure.
Comprehensive Tenant Vetting
Prospective tenants complete our digital application and screening process, allowing us to run full credit checks, affordability assessments and verification steps on your behalf. You simply send the application link and we handle the vetting to speed up and simplify the process.
Lease Agreements
R850 payable by the tenant | R2 500 placement fee payable by the landlord
Our professionally drafted lease agreements are prepared by specialist property attorneys to ensure full CPA and PIE compliance. The agreement is tailored to protect landlords and provide clarity and security throughout the tenancy.
Property Inspections
We conduct full entry and exit inspections through our online inspection system to document the property’s condition accurately. All inspection reports are securely stored and made available for future reference when needed.
With regards to Management services we offer the following inclusions:
Deposit Management
We securely hold all tenant deposits in an interest-bearing trust account with FNB. This ensures deposits are managed correctly, in line with legal requirements, and removes the administrative burden from you.
Invoices & Rental Collection
We issue monthly invoices to tenants by the 23rd of each month and follow up on rental payments through automated reminders. Our team manages the full invoicing cycle, collects rent on your behalf and communicates monthly statements to tenants for complete transparency.
Maintenance Coordination
We work with a trusted network of third-party maintenance providers to give landlords access to reliable service teams. You can view vetted tradespeople, request assistance when needed and obtain quotes without obligation, helping you resolve issues quickly and professionally.
Letter of Demand
Late rental payments are handled on your behalf. When a tenant pays late, we issue a formal Letter of Demand and apply the relevant penalties (2% late fee and an additional R500 after the 7th of the month). This keeps the process consistent and removes emotion from difficult conversations.
Qualifying packages and the required deposit are determined by the tenant’s risk assessment.
All packages include a once-off placement fee of R2,500.
For a full overview of our pricing and service packages, please visit preferental.com/pricing
If you need any further assistance, you are welcome to ask. Alternatively, you can share your contact details (name, phone number, email address and location) and a member of our team will get in touch with you.
We offer a range of service packages designed to suit different landlord needs, from basic rental support through to fully comprehensive protection that includes legal cover, rental guarantees and property damage benefits.
Because each package varies in features, fees and included benefits, you can find a full breakdown of every package – Basic, Legal, Standard and Premium – on our pricing page at preferental.com/pricing.
This page provides clear comparisons of what each package includes, how the monthly percentage fees work and what once-off costs apply.
Kindly follow the link below to see our terms and conditions
preferental.com/terms-and-conditions
Please do not hesitate to ask if you need any further help.
If you have already found a tenant who would like to apply, you can process them through our online screening system. From your Preferental dashboard, send the tenant a screening invite linked to your property. The tenant will receive an SMS and email with a secure link to complete their tenant screening online and submit their documents. Once they have completed the screening and accepted your invite, their application is automatically linked to your property, making it much easier to track and manage.
Our online screening system manages this for you. Once you send the tenant an invite from your dashboard, they complete their screening online and accept your invite. After submission, a full report is generated automatically and their qualification status appears on your dashboard. You will be able to view their affordability, credit results and the package they qualify for, helping you make an informed decision with confidence.
We ensure that your rental income remains secure even when a tenant falls into arrears. Depending on your selected package, you will receive your rent on the 1st or the 5th of the month, guaranteed, so your bond obligations are always covered. We continue paying your rent for up to four months, regardless of whether your tenant pays late, partially or not at all. Our team then manages the collection process directly with the tenant, which may include negotiating a repayment arrangement with your approval.
Preferental, together with our legal partners, ensures the correct procedures are followed throughout the eviction process. All legal steps and communications are handled on your behalf, giving you peace of mind while we manage the matter from start to finish.
We understand that some tenants may leave a property with damages. Preferental provides cover for property damage up to the value of one month’s rental, giving you added peace of mind. Our claims process is straightforward and designed to minimise stress and support you when you need it most.
T&Cs apply.
You can rest assured that your tenant’s deposit is securely held in our trust account, where it continues to earn interest on their behalf.
We partner with Xpello, one of South Africa’s leading property law firms. If you require legal assistance, please email applications@xpello.co.za and their team will contact you directly.
You can manage utilities directly from your Dashboard by selecting the “Upload Utilities” option. Once uploaded, our system automatically sends the invoice to your tenants. Utility payments are processed on the 2nd business day of each month, and then every Wednesday and Friday thereafter.
To ensure accuracy, our system only issues a payment instruction once the full utility amount has been received from the tenant. Automated reminders are also sent to tenants if payment has not been made.
This service is free of charge. However, if you would prefer us to take over the full utility management process, this is available as an optional add-on at 5% of the monthly rental amount, in addition to the approved package.
If you are on the Premium package, your rental payment is made to you on the 1st of each month. For all other packages, payment is made by the 5th, depending on the tenant’s approved product. We then invoice and collect the rent from your tenant. Rental invoices are issued on the 23rd of each month to ensure tenants receive them well in advance.
Yes, we can assist with tenant placement. We will market your property across major listing platforms to maximise visibility and help you reach a wider pool of applicants. You are also welcome to advertise privately, and we will still screen any tenants you source yourself. This ensures a smooth, convenient and reliable placement process at all times.
Yes, we provide access to trusted third-party maintenance service providers who can assist with a wide range of property issues. These partners are available around the clock and can help with everything from minor repairs to urgent call-outs. They typically offer competitive rates and transparent quotations, giving you reliable support without the hassle of sourcing contractors yourself.
Property damage cover applies when a tenant vacates the property and an outgoing inspection has been completed. To process a claim, we require the completed deposit claim form, the incoming and outgoing inspection reports, and the landlord’s repair invoices. Once these documents are received, the claim will be assessed by our insurer for potential payout.
We are only able to manage commercial properties under our Basic Management package, as Preferental is not registered with the EAAB to provide full management services for commercial properties.
Unfortunately, there is no fixed timeframe for an eviction, as the duration depends on the tenant’s response, court availability and the specific circumstances of the case. However, we ensure that all legal steps are followed promptly and correctly to secure the earliest possible outcome.
Yes. Our legal partners manage the full eviction process from start to finish, ensuring all steps are completed correctly and the tenant vacates the property in accordance with legal requirements.
We have been operating since 2016.
Yes, landlords may include additional clauses in the lease agreement using the addendum section.
The minimum rental period is three months. After the initial three-month term, you may allow the lease to continue on a month-to-month basis if that suits your needs.
All legal fees for the eviction process will be covered by Preferental. The deposit will be utilized to initiate the eviction process. Legal fees regarding additional legal advice during the lease period are, unfortunately, not covered.
No, that is the landlords choice to do so as stipulated in the lease agreement
Yes, should you wish to downgrade to a lower package at a later stage you will be able to do so. All that we require is written notice and we will send you a new mandate to sign.
(Kindly note that the allowed package is based on the risk profile of the tenant, but Tayla from our Applications Department, will guide you on the way forward once you receive applications.)
All SAPIN member get -50% off listing fee and Wave activation fee.
SAPIN professional members also have -10% off Premium management package (Only Valid for 12 months.
No, a tenant can move in whenever the property is available and the first-month rental and deposit are paid before they take occupation, we would charge the pro-rata rate the following month.
Unfortunately, we do not cover already defaulting tenants. We also do not cover any defaults prior to signing the mandate with us.
Yes, we do, you can visit our website and on your dashboard, you’ll be able to see if they qualify by submitting the lease agreement you have with the screening (if any) conducted on the tenant. We can then use this information to identify whether we’ll be able to cover the existing tenant.
Our lease agreements are designed to be signed online by both owners and renters. You will receive a lease agreement via email, click on the yellow “Review Document” button and start completing the required fields.
You will notice that the last page (Addendum) can be used to mention any property specifics that the tenant either needs to take note of or that will be their extra responsibility. (i.e. If they need to pay a fixed water or electricity amount, responsible for the cleaning of the pool or garden, any wooden floors that requires extra TLC, etc.)
Accounts
We cover your rent and pay you when your renter defaults. Depending on your selected package, we pay your rent on the 1st of the month on a Premium Package guaranteed for 4 months. We pay your rent on the 5th of the month, guaranteed for 2 months, thus ensuring that your bond is covered on the standard package. No matter if your renters pay late, partial, or nothing. We will collect the rent from your renter or arrange for a repayment schedule with an agreement from the owner.
Preferental and our partnered lawyers will ensure that the right process is followed for a successful eviction to take place if needed. They deal with all processes and communications so that you don’t have to worry about a thing.
We know that you sometimes get bad renters that just don’t care about your property and leave with damages. With Preferental you never have to worry about this again, we cover your property damages to the value of one month’s rental. Our claims process is easy and convenient and designed to make your stress go away. T&C’s apply
Don’t you worry, we keep your renter’s deposit safe in a separate trust account that accrues interest for them.
We have partnered with Xpello, who is one of the best property law firms in South Africa. Should you require legal services, please send them an email on: applications@xpello.co.za so that we can get them to give you a call.
Didn’t find what you were looking for?
Accounts
We cover your rent and pay you when your tenant defaults. Depending on your selected package, we pay your rent on the 1st of the month on a Premium Package guaranteed for 4 months. We pay your rent on the 5th of the month, guaranteed for 2 months, thus ensuring that your bond is covered on the standard package. No matter if your tenants pay late, partial, or nothing. We will collect the rent from your tenant or arrange for a repayment schedule with an agreement from the landlord.
Preferental and our partnered lawyers will ensure that the right process is followed for a successful eviction to take place if needed. They deal with all processes and communications so that you don’t have to worry about a thing.
You no longer need to worry about tenants who leave your property with damages. Preferental provides cover for property damages up to the value of one month’s rental, offering added peace of mind. Our claims process is straightforward and convenient, designed to remove stress and support you when you need it most. T&Cs apply.
You can rest assured that your tenant’s deposit is securely held in a dedicated trust account where it continues to earn interest on their behalf.
We have partnered with Xpello, one of the leading property law firms in South Africa. If you require legal assistance, please email applications@xpello.co.za and their team will contact you directly.
All you have to do is visit your Dashboard and select the “Upload Utilities” option and our system will send the invoice out to the tenants. All utilities are paid on the 2nd business day of the month and then every Wednesday and Friday thereafter. Our system also only instructs a utility payment when the full utility invoice is received from the tenant. Electronic reminders are sent from our system to the tenants should no payment have been received. This is a free service that we offer, should you wish that we take over full management of utilities this is an additional service of 5% of the rental amount on top of the package approved.
On the 1st day of the month, we pay your rent (if you selected the Premium option, else latest by the 5th dependant on package approval) and we then invoice and collect the rent from your tenant. All our invoices are sent out on the 23rd of the month.
The property damage cover only applies when the tenant vacates the property after the outgoing inspection has been done. We will require our deposit claim form to be completed, an incoming inspection report, an outgoing inspection report, and the landlord’s receipts of the repairs before our Insurer would consider paying out the claim.
Although we cannot provide an exact time frame, we ensure that tenants in default are required to vacate as soon as legally possible, following the correct procedures.
Yes, our legal partner Xpello manages the full eviction process and will handle the matter until the tenant has been formally evicted.
https://www.xpello.co.za/
All legal fees for the eviction process will be covered by Preferental. The deposit will be utilized to initiate the eviction process. Legal fees regarding additional legal advice during the lease period are, unfortunately, not covered.
Inspections
Before the renter takes occupation of the premises or on the day that the renter moves into the property.
Yes, an incoming inspection activates the property damages claim you have against the renter and the outgoing inspection is required to prove the damages. Both should be conducted and signed with the renter.
Using our app you can always get back to the inspections by clicking on the property, inspections, and view the inspection submitted.
Listing Your Property
The best thing about our prices is that should you not be able to show the property to potential renters, you can still pay a placement fee with an estate agent and just opt to manage your own property. You will still save way more this way and your rent will be guaranteed.
You have 24 hours to inform us. If we hear from you later than 24 hours, you’ll have to pay the R349-00 listing fee again in order to advertise your property again.
Your property will stay active until a renter is placed.
There can be several factors influencing your traffic, namely:
- Incomplete property details
- Low quality photos
- Rental is too high
Didn’t find what you were looking for?
Listing Your Property
The best thing about our prices is that should you not be able to show the property to potential tenants, you can still pay a placement fee with an estate agent and just opt to manage your own property. You will still save way more this way and your rent will be guaranteed.
You have 24 hours to inform us. If we hear from you later than 24 hours, you’ll have to pay the R249-00 listing fee again in order to advertise your property again.
Your property will stay active until a tenant is placed.
There can be several factors influencing your traffic, namely:
- Incomplete property details
- Low quality photos
- Rental is too high
Yes we do, Our free vetting service is included in the Preferental Promise and covers the following:
Easily record property inspections using your mobile device, no need for paperwork and saving photos in random folders any more.
The report is stored on your app and dashboard to review at your convenience, allowing you to compare incoming and outgoing inspections for any future disputes.
The app has a full audit trail with time and date-stamps, while allowing for signatures from all parties involved in the inspection.
Our property inspections app is totally free to use and you can conduct as many inspections as you’d like.
Remove the hassle of property inspections with our free app.
You can download the app for Android using the following link:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myrentrapp
Our IOS app can be downloaded using the following link:
https://apps.apple.com/za/app/myrentr/id1181905978″
Our property inspection app is free to use for any landlord, we’ll be launching exciting new features to the inspection app soon.
If you’re applying as an employed tenant, we will require your FICA documents of which include: Certified ID copy, 3 months payslips, 3 months bank statements and proof of address.
We unfortunately don’t have any agents that go out to properties. All our landlords typically show the properties themselves while advertising the property through our platform. Showing the property yourself can save you up to one month’s rental which is normally paid to the placement agent.
Please reach out to landlord.
Please send all complaints through to admin@preferental.com and one of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please send an email to admin@preferental.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Yes we do full credit checks on tenants and have a direct integration with compuscan where we have hundreds of data points to identy all possible risks. We also have integrations with the banks to confirm bank account ownership and we have an integration with Home Affairs and the SAPS.
Yes we can definitely assist if your blacklisted. Please apply for a property on our platform, provide all reasons and supporting documents and one of our friendly staff members will reach out to you to take you through the process.
We are always looking for exceptional talent to join our dynamic team, please send your CV to admin@preferental.com and we’ll be in contact with you.
Oh no, let’s see what we can do to assist. Please send an email to admin@preferental.com and we’ll escalate this to our technical team to investigate and get back to you.
We are SA’s first and only digital property management platform that guarantees rent. Our collections rate is 98.9%, we have exceptional review ratings for our customer service and we work with the best in the industry making sure you have access to the best service providers to empower you to better manage and scale your portfolio.
After logging into your Preferental Dashboard. Click on the property that you would like to stop advertising. Click on ‘Stop Advertisement’, acknowledge the disclamier and choose your reason for removing your advertisment. Please note that it can. take up to 24 hours for your advertisement to be removed from all the platforms.
After logging into your Preferental Dashboard. Click on ‘Add Property’. Here you will follow the necessary steps, such as adding a location, property description, rental amount & occupation date, images and the contact person. You will then make the listing fee payment and then your property will be advertised.
After logging into your Preferental Dashboard. Click on the property that you would like to edit. Click on ‘Add Images’ and to update any other information, make the necessary changes, then click on ‘Save’ at the bottom right corner, then the changes will update on all the portals.
Yes, if a property is currently being advertised, it is still available. If you’d like to schedule a viewing, please enter your details where it says: ‘Contact/Message Agent’ then we’ll send you an SMS and email with the landlord’s details.
Vetting / Applications
We will need the following extra documents for your application to be processed: Business registration certificate, tax compliance letter, 6 months business bank statements, salary confirmation letter from your accountant.
Please ensure you are accessing the application link via Chrome or Firefox to upload your documents. If you are still having this issue, kindly inform us via our email address – admin@preferental.com. You are welcome to email your documents to the same email.
You need to earn at least double the rental amount after your monthly instalments have been deducted.
You can still apply, kindly just upload your passport details instead of a South African ID.
Didn’t find what you were looking for?
Vetting / Applications
We will need the following extra documents for your application to be processed: Business registration certificate, tax compliance letter, 6 months business bank statements, salary confirmation letter from your accountant
If you are having this issue, kindly inform us via our email address – admin@preferental.com. You are welcome to email your documents to the sam email.
You need to be earning at least double the rental after your monthly instalments.
You can still apply, kindly just upload your passport details instead of a South African ID.
Only two applicants are allowed to apply for 1 property.
Yes, this is the better option. Make sure you have viewed the property as well as met the owner before applying.
Yes, definitely. We are fully POPIA Compliant and all your personal information is safe in our database.
You can send any amount of application links through. Please also keep in mind that if numerous applications are received for one property, a prescreening will be conducted on each and a selected few will be chosen to move forward with a full comprehensive screening.
Yes, they can. In this case, that person will need to fill out the application link and provide consent of applying on your behalf and acknowledgement of all responsibilties of doing so.
