Neighbours building? Know your rights re plan approval
“You can be a good neighbour only if you have good neighbours” (Howard Koch, “Invasion from Mars” author) Your neighbours apply to the municipality for approval of building plans. You object strongly – if allowed, you say, the new building/addition/alteration will seriously impact on your property’s appeal and value. It will be unsightly and objectionable. […]
Property buyers: Beware unlawful occupiers!
“The time of maximum pessimism is the best time to buy, and the time of maximum optimism is the best time to sell” (Sir John Templeton, billionaire investor) You are it seems in good company if you view times of depressed property prices and general uncertainty as a great buying opportunity. Just be aware that […]
Reg 68 – Update on lost title deed procedure
In last month’s newsletter we placed an article (Property owners, buyers and agents: Check for the title deeds before 25 February!) on the new procedure to obtain certified copies of lost title deeds. The Chief Registrar of Deeds has since then decided to put the implementation of this new procedure on hold. The pre-existing position […]
New property valuations and valuation objections – Cape Town
Most property owners in Cape Town have already received their new property valuation from the City of Cape Town. On 31 January 2019 the Municipal Valuer certified the 2018 Municipal Roll (GV2018). The 2018 Municipal Valuations of properties is currently available for viewing. If you are a property owner and haven’t received a notice of […]
Property owners, buyers and agents: Check for the title deeds before 25 February!
“Time is of the essence” (legal phrase meaning ‘speed is essential, there’s a deadline, this is an emergency, hurry up, do it now’ – The Phrase Finder) You sell your house/apartment/office/factory/plot of land. You instruct your conveyancer to pass transfer to the buyer, and start dreaming of what you will do with the proceeds. But […]
Our client is selling in Vredehoek
As Conveyancers and Property Lawyers, part of our service to our clients is to assist them with the marketing and selling of their properties. Where our clients prefer or require a hands off approach, we take mandates on a 2,5% + VAT basis. Our latest listing is a beautiful apartment in Vredehoek: The short video […]
Buying property this festive season? Check the title deed first!
“Don’t wait to buy land, buy land and wait” (Will Rogers) If you plan to buy property this Festive Season – perhaps your new dream house, or a holiday home, or an office for your business, or purely as an investment – check the title deed of the property you have your eye on before […]
Our client is selling in Green Point
As Conveyancers and Property Lawyers, part of our service to our clients is to assist them with the marketing and selling of their properties. Where our clients prefer or require a hands off approach, we take mandates on a 2,5% + VAT basis. Our latest listing is a beautiful house in Green Point: The short […]
What to do when someone dies
The inevitability of death doesn’t detract from the shock and distress that it brings to the grieving survivors, and much as we don’t like to plan for these things it will help at least a little to know what to do in practice after a death. The formalities There is unfortunately a lot of red […]
Selling your house: Disclosing defects
“Honesty is the best policy” (Benjamin Franklin) A recent High Court decision again confirms that when it comes to selling your house, honesty is indeed the best policy. Specifically, disclose all defects you know of to potential buyers, or risk expensive litigation and damages claims. Defects and Defences The buyers of a house, who had […]