Your House Burns to the Ground: Can You Hold the Seller Liable?
“Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides.” (William Shakespeare, in King Lear) A recent High Court judgment confirms, yet again, [...]
A Bond Clause Deadline Whooshes by and a Sale Dies – Can You Revive it?
“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” (Douglas Adams in The Salmon of [...]
Private Prosecution: Neighbours at War
“I charge you by the law.” (William Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice) Victims of crime are entitled to see [...]
A R4.25m Warning to Choose Your Conveyancer With Care
“Trust me, I’m a lawyer.” (Popular T-shirt slogan) South African property buyers and sellers will have been cheered by news [...]
How to Avoid Fighting Over the House – A Guide for Life Partners
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of bandages and adhesive tape.” (Groucho Marx) It’s a perennial topic of [...]
When Does a Property Defect Justify Cancellation? A Costly Case of Buyer’s Remorse
“Look before you leap.” (Wise old proverb) Imagine sealing the deal on your dream property, only to wake up at [...]
Can a Body Corporate Cut the Power? It’s Complicated
“A body corporate’s lot is not an easy one.” (With apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan) One of a body corporate’s [...]
Budget 2.0: A Mixed Bag, With Good News for Property
“Good in parts” (Like the curate’s egg) Transfer duty threshold increased by 10% You pay no transfer duty if the [...]
Why You Should Check That Your Estate Agent is Registered With the PPRA
“All that glisters is not gold” (William Shakespeare in Merchant of Venice) Buying or selling a home could be one [...]
Mortgage Bond Arrears: Can You Challenge a Certificate of Balance?
“O, I do not like that paying back.” (Falstaff, in Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part I) A standard clause in loan [...]
