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Suretyship vs Guarantee. What’s the difference?

02 May 2024

In this article, we look at two primary forms of security commonly found in financial transactions, namely suretyship agreements and... guarantees, and explain the difference between these two forms of security.

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26
Article

Leave to Appeal vs Special Leave to Appeal

02 May 2024

On 4 April 2024 in the matter of Savannah Country Estate Homeowners Association v Zero Plus Trading 194 (Pty) Ltd... and Others (773/2022) [2024] ZASCA 40, our Supreme Court of Appeal (“SCA”) had to address the important difference between an application for leave to appeal and an application for special leave to appeal. In this article, we analyse the SCA’s views in this regard.

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40
Article

Can Landlords unilaterally charge for additional services?

02 May 2024

The relationship between landlord and tenant can be a complex one fraught with dangers for a careless landlord. In this... article, we explore whether a landlord can provide additional value-added services to its tenants beyond the scope of what is outlined in the lease agreement and then unilaterally charge extra for such services or remove existing services without consequence.

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22
Article

Blazing changes in the National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill

24 April 2024

In early April 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill.  

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24
Article

Can a Homeowners Association take over refuse removal from a local authority?

27 March 2024

With many local authorities struggling to provide municipal services to residents, a key question that arose in a recent case... was whether a Homeowners Association was entitled to take over the function of refuse removal from the local authority and whether the local authority was still entitled to charge for refuse removal.

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65
Article

What to expect from the new draft Employment Equity Act Regulations

27 March 2024

The Employment Equity Amendment Act 4 of 2022 (“Amendment Act”) was introduced in April 2023 but the commencement date has... yet to be promulgated. To address the sectoral numerical targets provided for in the Amendment Act, new draft regulations were issued for comment on 1 February 2024 (“Draft Regulations”). In this article we take a look at the draft regulations and what they mean for employers.

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113
Article

How liable is an owner for damage caused by animals?

26 March 2024

One has often read about owners being held liable for a dog attack on a person, but what about an... animal on the road which ends up causing an accident? Can the owner be held liable for the resulting damage?

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686
Article

To click or to ink? Are electronically signed sale of property agreements valid in SA?

26 March 2024

In the current digital era, the use of electronic signatures has substantially increased, reshaping traditional practices with their convenience and... efficiency. From large corporations to small businesses, organisations are embracing electronic signatures to streamline processes and adapt to a digital business landscape. This article explores the validity of electronic signatures and specifically how it affects the validity of a sale of property agreement. 

READ MORE
709
Article

Suretyship vs Guarantee. What’s the difference?

02 May 2024

In this article, we look at two primary forms of security commonly found in financial transactions, namely suretyship agreements and... guarantees, and explain the difference between these two forms of security.

READ MORE
26
Article

Leave to Appeal vs Special Leave to Appeal

02 May 2024

On 4 April 2024 in the matter of Savannah Country Estate Homeowners Association v Zero Plus Trading 194 (Pty) Ltd... and Others (773/2022) [2024] ZASCA 40, our Supreme Court of Appeal (“SCA”) had to address the important difference between an application for leave to appeal and an application for special leave to appeal. In this article, we analyse the SCA’s views in this regard.

READ MORE
40
Article

Can Landlords unilaterally charge for additional services?

02 May 2024

The relationship between landlord and tenant can be a complex one fraught with dangers for a careless landlord. In this... article, we explore whether a landlord can provide additional value-added services to its tenants beyond the scope of what is outlined in the lease agreement and then unilaterally charge extra for such services or remove existing services without consequence.

READ MORE
22
Article

Blazing changes in the National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill

24 April 2024

In early April 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill.  

READ MORE
24
Article

Can a Homeowners Association take over refuse removal from a local authority?

27 March 2024

With many local authorities struggling to provide municipal services to residents, a key question that arose in a recent case... was whether a Homeowners Association was entitled to take over the function of refuse removal from the local authority and whether the local authority was still entitled to charge for refuse removal.

READ MORE
65
Article

What to expect from the new draft Employment Equity Act Regulations

27 March 2024

The Employment Equity Amendment Act 4 of 2022 (“Amendment Act”) was introduced in April 2023 but the commencement date has... yet to be promulgated. To address the sectoral numerical targets provided for in the Amendment Act, new draft regulations were issued for comment on 1 February 2024 (“Draft Regulations”). In this article we take a look at the draft regulations and what they mean for employers.

READ MORE
113
Article

How liable is an owner for damage caused by animals?

26 March 2024

One has often read about owners being held liable for a dog attack on a person, but what about an... animal on the road which ends up causing an accident? Can the owner be held liable for the resulting damage?

READ MORE
686
Article

To click or to ink? Are electronically signed sale of property agreements valid in SA?

26 March 2024

In the current digital era, the use of electronic signatures has substantially increased, reshaping traditional practices with their convenience and... efficiency. From large corporations to small businesses, organisations are embracing electronic signatures to streamline processes and adapt to a digital business landscape. This article explores the validity of electronic signatures and specifically how it affects the validity of a sale of property agreement. 

READ MORE
709
Article
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Filter: Sectional Title
Are you allowed to install solar panels in your sectional title unit?

29 March 2023

As a result of the continuing woes of load shedding , many sectional owners are considering alternative and renewable energy... solutions like solar panels to minimize the effect that load shedding has on their households. A common question, therefore, being raised by sectional owners is whether they are allowed to install solar panels at their sectional unit.

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171
Article
How enforceable are penalties levied for failing to build your house in an estate?

28 February 2023

Every now and then we get a call from a perturbed client who has just received a sizable penalty on... his monthly levy account from his body corporate or homeowner’s association for failing to have started/completed (this can vary) the building of a house on their estate erf. The demand is to know whether this penalty is enforceable and fair.

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510
Article
Your responsibilities as a new home owner

15 September 2022

So many new property owners believe that once the property is in their name all that is left is to... enjoy their new home. Unfortunately, there are still a few other important responsibilities that should not be forgotten.

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1024
Article
Can I install a generator at my sectional unit?

14 June 2022

With the troubles of load shedding exacerbating the difficulty for many to work from home, many sectional owners are considering... the option of a generator to keep things going through load shedding. But can you just install a generator in your unit, or do you need permission to do so?

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645
Article
Are sacrificial rituals allowed in sectional titles?

14 July 2021

A neighbour in my sectional title unit is very traditional, and has been hinting that he wants to hold a... sacrificial slaughter at his home as an offering to his ancestral spirits. Although I have no objection to this, I am concerned as to whether this is allowed in a sectional title scheme as I think that there may be objections from other owners in the complex if he continues. Can he do this on his property in the complex?

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297
Article
The basics of starting a sectional title development

14 June 2021

I’ve inherited a piece of property that a few people have told me is ideal for a small sectional title... development. I know it will be costly and take time, but was wondering if you could briefly explain to me what will need to happen for me to make this a reality?

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437
Article
Can I run an Airbnb from my sectional title unit?

16 March 2021

I am an owner of a sectional title unit and would like to advertise my unit for short term rentals... on Airbnb, is this legally allowed?

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390
Article
What to do if my pesky neighbour keeps parking in the visitors parking area

06 January 2021

One of the residents of the sectional title scheme I live in, constantly parks his vehicle in the parking bays... designated for visitors. This is frustrating as there is limited visitors parking and often visitors are forced to park outside the scheme which is inconvenient and a safety risk. What can be done about this resident?

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449
Article
Can a body corporate institute action against the sectional title developer?

10 November 2020

In our sectional title scheme, it has become clear that many of the structures on the common property have been... poorly built and are defective. However, the body corporate is uncertain whether it can take action against the developer for these defects and accordingly nothing is happening. Surely the body corporate should be able to do something?

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348
Article
Sectional Title body corporates, and Covid-19

10 July 2020

I live in a small sectional title scheme and am on the body corporate. We have tried to comply as... much as possible with the Covid-19 regulations but am unsure about what we may or may not do in this time. Is it possible to get some guidance in this regard?

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464
Article
What does the Electronic Deeds Registration System mean for the consumer?

11 November 2019

I have a property portfolio and am constantly buying and selling properties. I’ve recently seen media reports that a new... electronic deeds registration system is coming for South Africa. For me speed of sale and registrations is vital. Will this new system improve or worsen the current registration processes?

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419
Article
When do the levies of a sectional owner increase after an extension of their unit?

16 October 2019

I live in a sectional title scheme and pay levies according to the participation quota of my unit. However, a... number of unit owners have recently extended their units and although the body corporate has approved such extensions, I know the sectional plans have not been amended. So now although their units are larger the owners are still paying the same levies. When must the body corporate increase their levies?

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346
Article

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