RDP status check online: how to apply and check your housing status
The government of South Africa launched a subsidised houses programme for its citizens, commonly known as RDP housing. People who meet specific requirements are enrolled in the programme. All prospective beneficiaries are encouraged to learn how to conduct an online RDP status check to know if their house is ready for occupation.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What is RDP housing?
- How do you check your RDP status?
- How do you apply for an RDP house?
- How do you check your housing status in Cape Town?
- How do you get a house in the human settlement?
- How do you check your housing status in Gauteng?
- How do you check your housing status in Ekurhuleni?
- How much is the government housing subsidy in South Africa?
- Is it legal to buy an RDP house?
- Can you rent out your RDP house?
- How long is the waiting list for social housing?
- What happens to your RDP house if you die?
- What happens to your RDP house if you divorce or break up with your partner?
South Africa has relatively affordable and stable house prices. An estimated 70% of the population owns the homes they live in. Those who cannot afford to purchase or build homes depend on the RDP housing programme. Knowing how to conduct an online RDP status check is encouraged for all programme applicants.
What is RDP housing?
RDP housing is a South African government programme that ensures people from poor resource settings live in decent houses. RDP is an acronym for Reconstruction and Development Programme.
The late Nelson Mandela established the programme in 1994. Its aim is to promote the country's social and economic growth. The government runs the project, and the application process is free.
The programme provides beneficiaries with fully built houses RDP houses are provided free of charge by the South African government. However, beneficiaries are required to pay for all municipal rates, including water bills, electricity bills, and other service charges.
Online RDP status check: steps to follow
While the South African national government runs the RDP programme, the work involved in ensuring decent housing for all citizens is devolved. This means that each municipality or province has rules guiding the land and house allocation process.
Usually, applicants are not handed keys to their new homes immediately after completing the application form. The process takes some time. In fact, some projects take as long as two years, so applicants must exercise patience.
If you need to do the online RDP status check in Gauteng, Pretoria, Johannesburg, or other parts of the country, you can do it online via the Human Settlements System (HSS) portal.
If you have ever wondered how to conduct an HSS housing status check, follow the steps below. Note that you need an internet-connected device to complete the process. You should also know you can only check the status of your RDP house if you are on the housing waiting list.
- Visit the HSS online or RDP houses portal.
- Enter your email address, password, and One-Time PIN (OTP), which will be sent to your mobile phone.
- Navigate to the My Housing Subsidy section.
- Next, input your ID number into the box to check the progress of your application. This will take you a split second.
Source: UGC
Alternative ways of checking your RDP housing status
The alternative options to the HSS online status check described above are making phone calls, sending emails, or visiting the relevant offices. The contact details you can use are detailed below.
- Telephone number: 0800 1(HOUSE) 46873 Weekdays 08h00 - 15h30
- Emergency Housing Call Centre: 0800 063772
- Email address: info@dhs.gov.za
- Fax number: 012 341 8512
- Fraud & Corruption: 0800 701 701
- Postal address: DHS Private Bag X644, Pretoria, 0001
- In-person check: The last option is to visit your nearest housing provincial office with your Form C.
Other reasons to contact RDP/ HSS subsidy officials
The housing department asks all applicants to sign some documents that provide key details such as ID numbers and contacts. Once the house is ready for occupation, the relevant officials will contact you and give you the house keys and title deed.
The process normally takes time, and as you know, life is not constant. You must contact the nearest satellite office you have made changes in the things listed below.
- Your health status
- Your residential and postal address
- Your working status in case you lose a job
How to apply for RDP houses
The government does not charge an application fee for this programme. All qualified citizens are required to visit the nearest provincial or municipal offices of the Department of Housing for application.
You need the documents listed below to complete the process.
- Your and your partner's/ spouse's identity documents (the green books or ID cards)
- Your children's birth certificates
- Proof of income for employed persons, e.g. a pay slip
In-person application process
Follow the steps below to complete your application at the nearest provincial or municipal offices of the Department of Housing.
- Inform the officials in the office of your intention to enrol in the HSS housing/ RDP houses programme. The relevant officials will give you an RDP housing subsidy application form. Fill it out, ensuring all details are accurate.
- Depending on your location, completing the application form means registering with the Municipal Housing Demands Database or the National Housing Needs Register.
- After this, you will be listed on the waiting list and issued a Form C indicating your application date and number. You will need these details when conducting an online RDP housing status check.
- Make several copies of the above documents and certify them at your nearest magistrates' court or police station before submitting a copy to the satellite office.
Source: UGC
Online application process
If you are interested in online applications, follow the steps below.
- Visit the HSS portal and click Register to create an account.
- Once registered, log into the RDP online application portal.
- Select New Application.
- Fill in and verify your details before submitting.
Who qualifies for an RDP House in SA?
The requirements for RDP houses as given by the National Housing Subsidy Scheme are listed below.
- The applicant must be a South African citizen
- The applicant must be at least 21 years old
- The applicant must be married/ living with a partner/ single with dependents. The children do not have to be yours.
- Military veterans and the elderly also qualify
- The applicant must be mentally capable of signing a contract
- The applicant must be a first-time government grant recipient
- The applicant must be a first-time homeowner
- The applicant must be unemployed or employed, earning a monthly income of less than R3,500 per household
Worth of an RDP house
The worth of an RDP housing unit varies from one location to another because construction costs vary from one province or municipality to another. An average unit is around 50 square metres.
Source: UGC
How do you check your RDP status?
You can confirm your status via the HSS portal, phone call, email address, or in-person visit to the nearest office.
How do you apply for an RDP house?
You can apply for an RDP house via the HSS portal. Visit the portal and click Register to create an account. Next, click New Application and follow the prompts to complete the process.
How do you check your housing status in Cape Town?
If you are based in Cape Town, you can use the phone number 021 444 0333 or the email address housing.db@capetown.gov.za to confirm the status of your application.
How do you get a house in the human settlement?
You can get a house only if you meet certain criteria and submit an application. The details you should know are explored in the previous sections of this article.
How do you check your housing status in Gauteng?
You can check your status by visiting the housing department offices in Gauteng. Alternatively, you can use the official number or email address given by the Department of Housing.
How do you check your housing status in Ekurhuleni?
If you reside in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, you can check the status of your application at the municipality offices. You can also use the HSS portal or make a call to the office number given.
How much is the government housing subsidy in South Africa?
There is no cost associated with owning the property for those who are eligible for RDP homes. However, beneficiaries are required to pay their utility bills and other service charges.
Is it legal to buy an RDP house?
An RDP house can only be sold with the written permission of the municipality. It is illegal to buy or sell a unit without permission.
Can you rent out your RDP house?
Upon receiving the keys and title deed from the housing department, you own the unit. However, it is illegal to rent it out because the rules state you should not transform the house into a source of income.
How long is the waiting list for social housing?
There is no set waiting period. Some people get units faster than others, depending on the length of the waiting list. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to check the status of their applications often.
What happens to your RDP house if you die?
If you pass away, the person stated in your will and title deed is entitled to the property. In the absence of a will, the provincial Housing Department will give it to your dependents, who will occupy it until they purchase their homes.
What happens to your RDP house if you divorce or break up with your partner?
Normally, a couple's names are on the application forms and the Department of Housing's database. In case of a split, the court determines what happens to the house after divorce.
Learning how to conduct an online RDP status check is a must for all RDP housing applicants. The wait may be long or short, depending on the demand.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
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Peter Kinuthia Peter Kinuthia is a 2018 graduate of Kenyatta University with a Bachelor's degree in Health Services Management. With over five years of copy-writing experience about media, lifestyle, and health affairs, Peter has cemented a solid career in copy-writing/journalism. He previously worked with Ace My Homework before joining the Briefly team in 2017. With over 5 years of experience in Briefly, Peter has become a remarkable wordsmith. (Email: petekinuthia9@gmail.com)
Cyprine Apindi (Lifestyle writer) Cyprine Apindi is a content creator and educator with over six years of experience. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Kenyatta University. Cyprine joined Briefly.co.za in mid-2021, covering multiple topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. In 2023, she finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She received the 2023 Writer of the Year Award. In 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course. Email: cyprineapindi@gmail.com
