How is your property’s value being affected?
Preparing a home that will soon enter the market is one of the first steps of the selling process. But these preparations, intended to make a property more attractive for prospective buyers, should always be approached carefully and, above all, strategically. These are a few key elements that may affect a property’s ultimate attraction without […]
Am I bound to the terms and conditions I never actually read?
In recent years the internet has transformed the commercial landscape and redefined the way we do business. The movement away from traditional paper and ink has led to the electronification of everything, including the conclusion of contracts. Online shopping, signing up for Uber, creating a Facebook profile – all subject to the familiar “I have read […]
Injury responsibility under Sectional Title Schemes?
The case of Du Plooy and The Cascades Body Corporate and Another deals with a slip-and-fall incident by one of the owners in the scheme and member of the body corporate who was subsequently entrusted by the owners with the duty of the cleaning and gardening services. Mr. Du Plooy, as Plaintiff, slipped and fell […]
Moving out? What tenants need to do before moving out
We all know that moving can be stressful and time-consuming, but before you start packing your boxes, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind before move-in day. As stressful and time-consuming as moving might be, it can also be exciting as you are moving on to better and greater things. However, […]
Landlords & tenants: Can a tenant cancel a lease?
When it comes to cancelling a lease early, both landlords and tenants must be aware of their responsibilities. It’s important to note that the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) has been put in place to protect consumers and it has changed the way that South Africans do business. The CPA also protects tenants in cases where […]
My neighbours are renovating
What one’s neighbour builds on their property, is not something the owner of the neighbouring property has a lot of control over. Unfortunately, it can have a negative impact on your property if the building work completed on your neighbour’s property does not comply with building regulations. Furthermore, it can be aesthetically displeasing, and be […]
What are tenant and landlord duties?
When it comes to letting a property – both the tenant and the landlord should always enter into any letting agreements openly and honestly and intending for each party to get proper value. Often it’s the approach which the parties adopt which will determine whether the relationship between the parties and the benefits they derive […]
Awaiting your deposit
What to know when your landlord has your deposit and has failed to pay it out You have viewed the new property and secured it by paying the correct deposit amount to the landlord. With the transition into your new space being as breezy as it was, no red flags were raised as to how […]
Determining the grounds for informed consent
If a person gives consent without acknowledging, understanding and considering their rights beforehand, is their consent legal and permissible in court? In eviction proceedings, it is questioned whether the granted eviction order may be cancelled after the unlawful occupiers had allegedly consented to it. Occupiers of erven 87 & 88 Berea v Christiaan Frederick De […]
Unlawfully evicted? Here’s a piece of PIE
Unless the sheriff of the court has evicted you, you should remain right where you are. If anyone else carries out an eviction, it constitutes as unlawful according to the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land (PIE) Act. Regarding the eviction process, the PIE Act stipulates this: Certain procedures must be […]