Can neighbours interfere in building plans?
Disputes between neighbours tend to ensue where an owner decides to build on or renovate their property and the neighbouring owner believes that such building works will have a detrimental effect on their property rights. Neighbours who are disgruntled by the noise nuisance, possible obstruction of an existing view from their property, or the aesthetic features of the building works, […]
Fast forward your property transfer
Buying a house is a big decision, one in which the buyer will have invested numerous hours of research, planning and careful consideration. It makes sense then that a buyer would want their property transfer to be finalised as quickly as possible. But while property transfers are of nature a time-consuming process, there are steps buyers can take to make sure the […]
The tenant-landlord relationship
The relationship between landlord and tenant is a symbiotic one, where the efforts of either party results in the best outcome for both parties. During the lockdown, this two-way relationship between many tenants and landlords has been threatened. The biggest contributor to this is quite simple: a lack of information. Paying your dues One of […]
Why taking care of your home is good for insurance
Taking out home insurance is one of the biggest favours you can do for yourself as a homeowner, but how do you ensure there are few hassles when it comes time to claim? Well, proper care and home maintenance will get you off to a great start. Owning a home is perhaps one of the […]
Is 2020 still the best time to buy property?
The beginning of 2020 saw a real estate market that became more favourable for buyers with increasingly large numbers of home loans being granted by banks and interest rates being cut to lower than they had been in a long time. This is above and beyond the fact that the transfer duty threshold was lifted to R1 million, making the purchase of a property more affordable for everyone. Prior to the lockdown, […]
Post-lockdown property
At the end of the national lockdown, many South Africans will have gotten to know their properties better than the architects who designed them. For some, this time will lead to ways they plan to improve their homes, for others, it will leave them desperately wanting to never see the same four walls again. But […]
Finding the middle ground
The impact of the lockdown is affecting landlords and tenants alike. The threat of a diminished income and the subsequent inability to pay rent is an issue many may soon have to face. But it’s best to face it sooner, rather than later, in these uncertain times. Being trapped in one’s home for 3 weeks, […]
The lessees’ right of pre-emption
A developer who wishes to establish a sectional title scheme on a piece of land where there is an existing building, has certain statutory obligations should the building be wholly or partially let for residential purposes. This is not applicable to commercial leases. The Sectional Titles Act 95 of 1986, (the Act), as amended, requires […]
Has your braai been approved?
Every HOA has applicable building guidelines which are stipulated in a Constitution or Memorandum of Incorporation (“MOI”) which every homeowner should be made aware of, read and understood. The guidelines will differ from estate to estate and it is important for the homeowners to adhere to these provisions. When one wants to erect a building […]
Make the most of your rental property
Investing in a property can be one of the best decisions you make. It is also one of the investments you need to consider most carefully to make sure you continue reaping its benefits when the market shifts. The key to an informed purchase and continuing growth is keeping up to date with the property […]