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Couzyn, Hertzog & Horak | Experienced Attorneys in Pretoria

Property Advice in an Election Year

Buy now, sell later. This year, almost half of the world’s inhabitants will head to the polls to elect their new governments, including eight of the world’s 10 most populous countries. In South Africa, we can expect our own election to put the property market into a temporary holding pattern, dragging on the subtle buyer’s […]

The rei vindicatio and the actio ad exhibendum

This article will briefly look at two actions that can be instituted simultaneously, and an alternative to each other, when you have been wrongfully deprived of possession of your property. The first action is the rei vindicatio. This action is instituted in order to claim the physical return of one’s property. The second action, which will […]

Exercise of rights and obligations under a praedial servitude

A servitude is a limited real right which entitles its holder either to the use and enjoyment of another person’s property or to insist that such other person shall refrain from exercising certain entitlements following from his or her right of ownership over and in respect of his or her property which he or she […]

Will-stipulated purchase option: Are there transfer duty impacts?

Any person drawing up a last will and testament, and who intends to include an option to purchase any of their properties, should be aware of the transfer duty implications such provision might bring forth. This article intends on discussing the before mentioned implications at the hands of the case of Secretary for Inland Revenue […]

The ABCs of lease agreements in South Africa

Navigating the world of lease agreements can be complex and fraught with potential pitfalls. In South Africa, these agreements are an essential tool for establishing clear expectations and protecting the interests of both landlords and tenants. Whether you’re a seasoned property manager, a first-time landlord, or a prospective tenant, understanding the nuances of these contracts […]

Navigating the amendments to the Trust Property Control Act: Beneficial ownerships in South Africa

The Trust Property Control Act, a key piece of legislation governing South Africa’s trusts, recently underwent a substantial transformation with the passage of the General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Act. This regulatory overhaul was aimed at strengthening the country’s trust governance, a direct response to its greylisting status, and has significant […]

Responsibility to maintain and repair foundations and boundary walls in a Sectional Title Scheme

This article will briefly consider the definitions of common property vis-à-vis sections in terms of the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act 8 of 2011 in order to establish who must maintain what in sectional title scheme developments. Many residential developments in South Africa are established in terms of South Africa’s sectional title scheme legislation. Residents […]

Buying or selling a home? Know the process

The transfer process is synonymous with building a house. The foundation must be laid and certain parts are built simultaneously in order for the process to be completed as one cannot be done without the other. There are many parties involved in a transfer process and each one has an important role to play. The […]

5 questions to get your homeowner relationship right

Despite the recent interest rate increase, South Africa is still currently in what is deemed a “buyer’s market”, where first-time homebuyers are enjoying the opportunity of entering the property market at a much earlier stage than their financial situations would have allowed in previous years. But it’s precisely the fact that so many homebuyers are […]