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JOSHCO, the City of Johannesburg’s social housing company, lists rents of R1,200 to R2,500 a month for its Dobsonville flats, a complex of 502 one- and two-bedroom rental units at 11065 Motseme Street, Dobsonville. To rent one you apply to JOSHCO directly, starting with its WhatsApp line on 066 511 7139 or its online pre-screening form. There is no agent, and JOSHCO says it offers rental units only, never rent-to-buy or sales.
This page covers current prices, who qualifies, the application steps, contact details and how to avoid people who charge to “arrange” a unit. For other rentals see Flats to Rent in Dobsonville and Dobsonville Property.
Complex: JOSHCO Dobsonville, 11065 Motseme Street, Dobsonville, Soweto (JOSHCO Region D)
Units: 502 rental flats: 152 one-bedroom and 350 two-bedroom, per the City of Johannesburg
Rent: R1,200 to R2,500 a month (JOSHCO project page, checked 13 September 2026)
Who qualifies: gross monthly income of R1,850 to R22,000, excluding overtime (JOSHCO, October 2024)
Contact JOSHCO: WhatsApp 066 511 7139 | 011 406 7300 | [email protected] | Head office: 61 Juta Street, Braamfontein
Report fraud: JOSHCO hotline 0800 002 587 or SMS 32840
Joshco Flats to Rent in Dobsonville Prices: Current Market Overview
The Dobsonville project is one of JOSHCO’s social housing developments. JOSHCO lists the site as 32,013 m² with 502 rental units. The City of Johannesburg reported that building started in May 2014. After delays, Soweto Urban reported in September 2017 that work had resumed under contractor Murray and Dickson, with tenants expected from January 2019.
Social housing is subsidised rental housing for households that earn too much for an RDP house but too little for most private rentals or a home loan. Because rents are well below private rentals in the area, demand is high and units are not always available. Application guides say a message to JOSHCO’s WhatsApp line brings an automated reply listing available units and their rental requirements, so check there before you assume there is, or is not, a vacancy.
For comparison, the only private flat advertised in Dobsonville on Property24 on 13 September 2026 was a bachelor unit in Ext 3 at R4,200 a month.
Typical Prices / Rent
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly rent range, Dobsonville units | R1,200 to R2,500 | JOSHCO Dobsonville project page (checked 13 September 2026) |
| Deposit | Confirm with JOSHCO; paid only after your application is approved | JOSHCO application guide (October 2024) |
| Lease term | 2 years, with an option to renew | JOSHCO application guide (October 2024) |
JOSHCO does not publish a price per unit type for Dobsonville on its project page. Older figures you may see online, such as the R900 to R2,000 quoted by the City in 2016, were set before the complex opened and are out of date. Ask JOSHCO for the current rent for the unit you are offered, and whether electricity and water are billed separately.
Property Types Available
- One-bedroom flats: 152 units, suited to single people and couples.
- Two-bedroom flats: 350 units. The City said some are designed for people with disabilities; ask JOSHCO about accessible units when you apply.
- Bachelor units: Soweto Urban’s 2017 report also mentioned bachelor units with open-plan kitchens. JOSHCO’s current project page lists only one- and two-bedroom apartments, so confirm what is available.
JOSHCO describes the complex as well maintained and secure, with access to public transport and main roads. Pictures of the inside of the flats that circulate on social media are not official. Ask JOSHCO about viewing during the induction stage.
Areas to Consider
If the Dobsonville complex has no vacancies, JOSHCO manages other social housing projects around Johannesburg, listed on its JOSHCO Housing page. Online searches often mix Dobsonville up with other suburbs, such as Fleurhof, so check the project name and street address before you apply.
- Private flats and backyard units: Flats to Rent in Dobsonville
- Single rooms: Rooms to Rent in Dobsonville
- Whole houses: Houses to Rent in Dobsonville
- Neighbourhood guides: Areas in Dobsonville
Requirements & Application Process
Who can apply
JOSHCO’s October 2024 guide sets a qualifying gross monthly income of R1,850 to R22,000, excluding overtime. You will need to prove your income. The City’s 2016 article used a narrower R3,500 to R7,500 band for this project, so if your income is near either end of the range, ask JOSHCO which band applies to the Dobsonville units today.
How to apply for JOSHCO flats in Dobsonville
- Step 1: Pre-screening. Register through the QR code or links on JOSHCO’s website and official social media (Facebook: JOSHCO Rentals; X: @MyJOSHCO), or send a WhatsApp to 066 511 7139. Check that your ID number and contact details are correct.
- Step 2: Documents. If you pass pre-screening, a JOSHCO leasing administrator asks for supporting documents, such as your ID and proof of income, and gives you a unique reference number to track your application.
- Step 3: Deposit. Once approved, pay the deposit into JOSHCO’s official bank account, using your reference number. Do not pay anyone else.
- Step 4: Induction. Attend an induction where you finalise the lease, choose your unit and collect keys. You receive a tenant handbook on your responsibilities and payments.
After you move in
The Rental Housing Act applies to social housing too. You are entitled to a receipt for payments, a joint inspection before you move in and at the end of the lease, and the refund of your deposit with interest when you leave, less any proven repair costs. JOSHCO complaints go to [email protected]; unresolved landlord and tenant disputes can go to the Gauteng Rental Housing Tribunal free of charge.
Scam warning
- JOSHCO says it provides rental units only. Anyone selling a JOSHCO flat, or offering rent-to-buy, is not acting for JOSHCO.
- JOSHCO tells applicants to avoid third-party intermediaries. Do not pay anyone who offers to speed up your application.
- Pay only into JOSHCO’s official account with your reference number, never into a personal account or by cash or e-wallet.
- Report suspected fraud or corruption on 0800 002 587 or SMS 32840.
Transport, Schools & Amenities
- Shopping: Dobsonville Mall at 75 Elias Motsoaledi Road, Mmesi Park.
- Transport: minibus taxis are the main public transport. See Transport in Dobsonville.
- Clinics: the City lists Itireling Clinic at 5 Roodepoort Road, Dobsonville (011 988 3101). See Dobsonville Clinic.
- Police: Dobsonville SAPS, 01 Elias Motsoaledi Road, 011 983 1506.
- Schools: see Schools in Dobsonville.
Use “11065 Motseme Street, Dobsonville” in your map app to see distances to your work, school or taxi route before you accept a unit.
Current Listings / Where to Look
JOSHCO units are not advertised on Property24, Private Property or Gumtree. Adverts there claiming to offer a JOSHCO flat should be treated as suspicious. The official channels are:
- JOSHCO: Dobsonville project page
- JOSHCO WhatsApp: 066 511 7139 (send a message to receive the list of available units)
- JOSHCO contact page: 011 406 7300, [email protected]
Rents and criteria on this page were checked on 13 September 2026. JOSHCO can change them, so confirm before you apply.