Advice &amp; News

Homeowners insurance is required for a bond

Financial institutions will typically require a buyer to take out homeowners insurance before approving a bond application.

July 22, 2016

Can a minor inherit immovable property?

South African law makes provision for a minor child to own an inherited property with the assistance of their legal guardian.

July 22, 2016

Sectional Title Governance

Can trustees be paid for their time?

The role of trustee is often a thankless and time consuming responsibility, and the question is often raised whether they should be remunerated for their work or not.

June 15, 2016

How to get a bond if you’re self employed

While there may be additional information required to successfully be granted a home loan, being self-employed should not be seen as an obstacle to accessing finance.

June 15, 2016

Back off my boundary!

When considering renovations to a property, there are typically requirements in place that stipulate how far a building must be from a road or a boundary wall.

June 15, 2016

Repainting a rented property – who should pay?

Maintenance of houses and apartments can be a costly aspect for any property owner, but when it comes to renting, who is responsible for these costs – the owner or the tenant?

May 23, 2016

Working from home can save you tax

Working from home is becoming increasingly popular, largely due to the increasing ease of connectivity. While there are many pros and cons that could be argued about making one’s home double up as an office, the tax implications of this decision should also be considered.

May 23, 2016

What to do when tenants refuse to leave

Eviction is a tricky process and one which needs to be handled correctly to avoid any legal repercussions. Find out which steps the eviction procedure follows.

May 23, 2016

All rental income should be declared to SARS

Income received from investment and rental properties falls into the category of taxable income, and as such should be declared to SARS and included in your annual tax return.

April 25, 2016

What happens if a suspensive condition is not met?

A suspensive condition is a term or clause within a contract that clearly stipulates a particular criterion that must be met in order for the contract to come into force. Should the suspensive condition(s) not be met, the contract will be void.

April 25, 2016

Cancellation a signed offer to purchase

An offer to purchase is a legal document and, once signed by both the buyer and seller, it becomes a legally binding agreement.

April 25, 2016

Beware of Capital Gains Tax when you sell

At first glance, Capital Gains Tax (CGT) may seem like yet another thing to worry about when completing a tax return, but it needn’t cause confusion.

March 29, 2016

Properties using borehole water must display a sign

Due to a significantly dry winter across the country, and many dams being alarmingly low, severe water restrictions have been implemented in most regions.

March 29, 2016

What happens to the ownership of my property when I get married?

There are three types of marriages that one can enter into in South Africa, each of which will have different consequences on the ownership of property.

March 29, 2016