Purchaser wishes to renovate property before transfer is concluded

Should a purchaser wish to renovate / alter the property prior to registration of transfer, the contracting parties becomes vulnerable to certain risks they must consider: 1. Common law provides that the purchaser shall not be entitled to make any alterations to the property without...

Defects in My Home I Just Bought

It is quite common for buyers to discover defects in the property they purchased after they take occupation and then to complain of these defects which they were unaware of at the time of viewing the home and which was not disclosed to them by...

Alien and Invasive Plant Species in South Africa

On 1 October 2014 the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations (the Regulations) to the National Environment Management: Biodiversity Act (No 10 of 2004) came into effect. The Regulations aim to prevent the introduction and spread of alien and invasive species across South Africa. Invasive alien...

Analysis of the pros and cons of different property ownership vehicles

WHO CAN BUY PROPERTY? Private Company Close Corporation Partnership Trust Natural Person WHO MAY BE MEMBERS? 1 to 50 natural and/or legal persons 1 to 10 natural persons 2 to 20 natural and/or legal persons Parties to a Trust are: 1) the founder 2) the...

Applying for and Cancelling Municipal Services

MUNICIPAL SERVICES AND ACCOUNTS Termination of existing service accounts by sellers and application for new service accounts by purchasers. 1.  Electricity Electricity in Johannesburg is supplied by either ESKOM or by the CITY OF JOHANNESBURG depending on your area and property use. Make reference to...

Arrears Rates – the final word on who is liable

SECTION 118 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT: MUNICIPAL SYSTEMS ACT 32 OF 2000 118(1) A registrar of deeds may not register the transfer of property except on production to that registrar of a prescribed certificate – (a) issued by the municipality or municipalities in which that...