With the increasing use of digital platforms in everyday life, the law is often required to adapt to new and evolving circumstances. One such development is the question of whether a will that exists only in electronic form, and which has been electronically signed, can be regarded as valid in South African law. As more […]
Can an Electronic Will Be Valid in South Africa? Read More »
The Case That Changed the Conversation A recent High Court judgment has introduced an important shift in how levy arrears are enforced in South Africa. While widely reported as “good news” for property owners in arrears, the reality is more nuanced and carries important implications for both debtors and body corporates. A body corporate pursued
Levy Arrears in South Africa Read More »
When purchasing a home, it is important to ensure that you, as purchaser, are aware of the costs that you will have to make provision for, as you cannot be guaranteed to have these included in your bond application amount and approved. Certain requirements exist for qualification for this product, and each banks has different
TRANSFER COSTS DECONSTRUCTED Read More »
On 1 February 2022 the property industry saw a major shift – the Property Practitioners Act (“PPA”) came into effect to replace the old Estate Agents Affairs Act, establishing the Board of Authority which would replace the Estate Agents Affairs Board. The PPA was written and designed to regulate the property sector with a more
THE PROPERTY PRACTITIONERS ACT Read More »
The Offer to Purchase, Deed of Sale, Agreement of Sale … similar documents just worded differently depending on the circumstances surrounding the transaction. Is the purchase “offering” to buy the property, is the seller wanting to sell the property or is a mutual agreement signed simultaneously? Either way, probably the most important document signed in
THE KEY … TO YOUR NEW HOME! Read More »
Owning a unit in a complex can in some instances include the right to certain additional areas within the complex, eg garages, carports, gardens, balconies or store rooms. These additional areas in most instances would form part of the common property, not the unit and this is where some further clarity would be required. Lets
YOUR UNIT HAS AN EXCLUSIVE USE AREA? OR IS THAT SOLE USE? Read More »
December 2025 is drawing near – did you know that you may need to ensure an Energy Performance Certificate (“EPC”) is available for your building and December 2025 marks the expiry of the amnesty period. We explore this … The “energy performance” of a building is defined as the net energy used per sqm, measured
IS YOUR BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFIED? Read More »
Legal Procedures Following the 2024 Election Results Following the declaration of the election results by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on Sunday, 2nd June 2024, under Section 57 of The Electoral Act 73 of 1998, we now focus on the subsequent legal procedures outlined by the Constitution and related legislative frameworks. Constitutional
DECODING DEMOCRACY: THE LEGAL JOURNEY POST-ELECTIONS Read More »
You’ve signed for your dream home, done your homework, and confirmed you can afford the repayments. You’ve even pictured that perfect lounge suite in the family room. But then, unexpectedly, the banks decline your application—not due to affordability, but because of risk. Risk, in this context, refers to an internal scoring system used by banks,
SEEN THE HOUSE OF YOUR DREAMS, BUT NO FINANCE? Read More »
A recent client survey conducted by Discovery Life reveals that while 98% of respondents believe having a Will is important, almost a third (31%) admitted that they do not have a will in place. Everyone wants their family members and loved ones to be cared for after they’re gone. Sadly, these good intentions are often
