On Monday, 7 November 2016 the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled that if someone buys a property that has an outstanding municipal-related debt to it – incurred by the previous owner(s) – the new owner cannot be held responsible for paying that debt.
The court ruled that the practice by the City of Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, in holding new owners liable for the payment of historical debt amassed by previous owner(s), is constitutionally invalid.