'Landlords grow rich in their sleep.' (John Stuart Mill, economist) If you are thinking of buying (or already own) a house or apartment in a residential complex with the idea of renting it out as an Airbnb (whether permanently or on an 'I can make a fortune this Christmas' basis), tread carefully. A recent High Court decision has signalled confirmation that your body corporate or homeowners’ association (HOA) can, within limits, regulate your right to do so. Residents vs Rent

'In the summertime, when the weather is high, you can stretch right up and touch the sky.' (Mungo Jerry) Summer’s here with its blue skies, happy holidaymakers from around the country and the world, and, as always, an upsurge in demand for houses. If you’re going to capitalise on this seasonal upswing, start planning your sales strategy now for selling your house with our simple, practical Seller’s Checklist below. Follow these 10 steps for a successful sale: 1. Ask yourself

When it comes to buying or selling property, understanding the process of property transfer services is essential. This process involves several legal and administrative steps that ensure the ownership of a property is correctly and legally transferred from one party to another. Navigating this process can be complex, but with the right information and support, it becomes much more manageable. Property transfer services cover everything from preparing legal documents to regi

'If you suspect deceit, hit delete!' (Online cybersecurity slogan) October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a good time to note that as cybercrime continues to grow, more and more businesses and individuals are falling victim to the dreaded 'BEC' or 'Business Email Compromise' fraud. The million-dollar question: Who takes the hit? Typically in a BEC fraud, email or other electronic communications between a creditor and debtor (often a seller and buyer, or service provider an

'Don’t wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and wait.' (Will Rogers) Spring is in the air and, as the annual uptick in property sales kicks in, let’s address two questions commonly asked by both sellers and buyers who are unsure about exactly what happens after they sign their sale agreement: How does the transfer process work? How long does it take before the seller gets paid and the buyer becomes the new registered owner? Let’s begin with this simplified 'in a nutshell'

'You aren’t buying a house, you’re buying a lifestyle.' (Anon) As more and more residential properties are subdivided and developed, an...

'Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides.' (William Shakespeare, in King Lear) A recent High Court judgment confirms, yet again,...

In today's complex world, legal matters can arise unexpectedly. Whether you're facing a family dispute, need help with a business...

'Look before you leap.' (Wise old proverb) Imagine sealing the deal on your dream property, only to wake up at 3am beset by sudden...

'I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.' (Douglas Adams in The Salmon of Doubt) Contracts often contain...

'A body corporate’s lot is not an easy one.' (With apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan) One of a body corporate’s core functions is to...

'Trust me, I’m a lawyer.' (Popular T-shirt slogan) South African property buyers and sellers will have been cheered by news that we are...

'All that glisters is not gold ' (William Shakespeare in Merchant of Venice) Buying or selling a home could be one of the most important...

'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.' (Benjamin Franklin’s warning to fire-threatened Philadelphians in 1736) Cases of...

'Home wasn't built in a day.' (Jane Ace, radio comedian) You find the perfect plot on which to build your dream home in a security...

'Good in parts' (Like the curate’s egg) Transfer duty threshold increased by 10% You pay no transfer duty if the property you are buying...

'A man’s home is his castle.' (Sir Edward Coke, English common law ruling, 1604) Of course, what we all want to hear at the end of our...

Learn the steps and legalities involved for foreigner buyers in SA's property market.

'Don’t wait to buy land, buy land and wait.' (Will Rogers) Summer’s a great time to look for property. Many sellers who’ve been holding...

' This sale agreement is no more! It has ceased to be! This is an EX-sale!' (With apologies to Monty Python) A 'bond clause' – standard...