Property glossary
TPN
Also known as: Tenant Profile Network, TPN Credit Bureau
A South African credit bureau specialising in tenant rental payment profiles, used by landlords and agents to screen applicants and track behaviour.
Definition
TPN (Tenant Profile Network) is a registered South African credit bureau focused on the rental market. It aggregates tenant payment behaviour reported by landlords and agents into rental payment profiles, alongside credit and affordability data, so a prospective landlord can see how an applicant has paid in the past. TPN also publishes widely cited statistics on tenant payment performance and rental market trends.
In the South African context
As a credit bureau, TPN is registered with and regulated by the National Credit Regulator under the National Credit Act 34 of 2005, and its handling of personal data is subject to POPIA. Landlords and agents both contribute payment data to and draw screening reports from TPN, which makes the accuracy and lawfulness of what is reported important. A tenant is entitled to see and dispute information held about them.
Example
An agent pulls a TPN report on an applicant and sees a "paid on time" rating across two prior leases, plus an affordability indicator — strong grounds to approve the new R9 000-per-month tenancy.
Why it matters
TPN profiles give landlords market-wide visibility of a tenant's actual rental track record, which a one-off credit check alone does not show.
Informational only — not legal advice. Confirm specifics against the current Act and your scheme’s rules.
Sources
- National Credit Act 34 of 2005 — Registration and regulation of credit bureaux by the National Credit Regulator