All property owners are obliged to pay rates and utilities in respect of their properties. Section 229 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa states that municipalities can charge rates on property and surcharges on fees for services provided by or on behalf of the municipality. These powers of municipalities are enshrined in […]
Tag Archivesproperty law
The days of exploiting residential property buyers are over!
Residential property buyers or those who intend to purchase property can breathe a sigh of relief, as the Property Practitioners Act 22 of 2019 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) was signed into law on 19 September 2019 to bring balance to the property market. The Act has now replaced the Estate Agency Affairs Act […]
Escaping the Offer: Section 29A of the Alienation of Land Act
Signing a contract for the purchase of immovable property is serious and exiting it unscathed is often impossible. As with any contract, it creates rights and obligations for both parties thereto. These rights and obligations must be adhered to, as failure may result in the innocent party claiming damages or specific performance. This article […]
The Voetstoots Clause
All too often individuals buy property with the expectation that they have just found their perfect home, only to later realise that there are hidden ‘skeletons’ buried therein just waiting to make an appearance at some point. Sometimes those skeletons rear their heads and bodies soon after the individual takes residence, other times, long after. […]
The offer to purchase is a binding agreement!
Introduction The purchase of property, especially for first-time buyers, may seem riddled with legalities and leaves the buyer with many questions around their rights, what they are entitled to ask and uncertainty about their responsibilities to the seller. Understanding the impact of the offer to purchase on the transaction will ensure that the buyer feels […]
