Pending Changes to Short-Term Rental Regulations in South Africa: A Guide for Property Owners

The Department of Tourism has recently released a draft Code of Good Practice for Short-Term Rentals, signalling a clear shift toward greater regulation, higher standards, and increased accountability across the industry.

While this code is not yet law, it gives a strong indication of what’s coming next.
And for property owners currently managing their own listings — this matters more than you might think.

What’s changing in the short-term rental landscape?
The proposed guidelines introduce a more structured approach to short-term rentals, with a strong focus on:

• Compliance with municipal bylaws and regulations
• Accurate and transparent property listings
• Guest behaviour management and responsibility
• Health and safety requirements (including equipment and emergency protocols)
• Minimising disruption to neighbours and communities

In simple terms:
Short-term rentals are moving from a casual side income… to a professionally regulated industry.

The hidden pressure on self-managing owners
If you’re currently managing your property yourself, you’ve likely already experienced some of this:

• Late-night guest issues
• Constant messaging and coordination
• Maintenance and unexpected problems
• Keeping listings updated and competitive

Now layer on:

• Compliance requirements
• Safety standards
• Legal accountability
• Guest screening expectations

It quickly becomes clear it’s becoming about running a fully compliant hospitality operation.

What happens to properties that don’t adapt?
As regulation increases, we’re already seeing a divide in the market:
Properties that struggle:

• Inconsistent guest experiences
• Poorly managed listings
• Lack of compliance or oversight
• Reactive (rather than proactive) management

These properties risk:

• Lower occupancy rates
• Negative reviews
• Guest complaints
• Potential regulatory issues in the near future

Properties that thrive:

• Professionally managed
• Operationally structured
• Guest-focused
• Fully aligned with emerging standards

These are the properties that:

• Rank higher
• Earn more
• Experience fewer issues
• Remain sustainable long-term

Why more owners are choosing professional management
This shift isn’t a challenge — it’s an opportunity.
Owners who partner with experienced management teams are able to:
✔ Stay ahead of regulation
✔ Protect their asset and income
✔ Deliver a consistently high-quality guest experience
✔ Remove the day-to-day operational burden

Most importantly:
They turn their property into a true hands-off, high-performing investment.

How we help you stay ahead
We’ve built our management approach around exactly where the market is heading — not where it used to be.
Our service ensures your property is:
✔ Fully managed; from guest communication and bookings to check-ins and issue resolution — we handle everything.
✔ Compliance-ready; we align your property with current best practices and upcoming regulatory expectations.
✔ Professionally presented; accurate listings, high-quality positioning, and ongoing optimisation to maximise performance.
✔ Protected; proactive maintenance, guest management, and systems designed to minimise risk.

The reality: the market is maturing
Short-term rentals are no longer a “set and forget” side hustle.
They are becoming:

• More competitive
• More regulated
• More operationally demanding

And that’s not a bad thing — it simply means:
The owners who treat their property like a business will be the ones who win.

Is it time to rethink how your property is managed?
If you’re currently self-managing, now is the ideal time to step back and ask:

• Is this still the best use of your time?
• Is your property performing as well as it could be?
• Are you prepared for upcoming regulatory changes?

If the answer is “not entirely” — you’re not alone.

Let’s future-proof your property
We work with property owners who want:

• Strong, consistent returns
• Less stress and time involvement
• Confidence that their property is being managed properly

​If that sounds like you, we’d love to help.
👉 GET IN TOUCH to discuss how we can improve your property’s performance and take the day-to-day management off your hands.