What Property Owners Should Know About Storm and Flood Insurance

With weather patterns becoming increasingly unpredictable, property owners must ensure that they have the correct insurance policies to cover potential financial losses. As we recently witnessed, severe weather across the country, including heavy rainfall, storm surges, and localised flooding, caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and personal property. Many people were left with unmanageable financial […]

Banking on Home Financing? It’s Time for a Workout!

Competitive lending and stable interest rates, with the latest increase notwithstanding, make it the perfect opportunity for first-time homebuyers to embark on the journey to homeownership. However, the barrier to entry often lies in affordability and finances. While we have noted a healthy increase in approval for zero-deposit (100% home loans) and cost-inclusive home loans, […]

Rental Crisis Hits the Western Cape

High Demand and the Growing Risk of Exploitative Practices If you’re renting in the Western Cape, you already know how tough it is to find a decent property that suits your budget. Cape Town has become one of the most expensive cities to rent in South Africa, with demand far outstripping its supply. The steady […]

Whose Deposit Is It Anyway?

Navigating the tug-of-war over rental security The moment a tenant hands over a security deposit for a lease, the silent countdown begins. For the tenant, that money represents a future moving truck or a down payment on their next chapter. For the landlord, it is a vital safety net against the risks of property management. […]

‘Futureproofing’ Commercial Properties in Times of Uncertainty

The current geopolitical tension is drastically reshaping the global economic outlook, and South Africa is not immune. Both businesses and consumers are feeling the effects of the conflict escalation in the Middle East, with oil prices spiking to above $110 a barrel. The commercial property market faces a more complex operating environment. Rising energy costs […]

Evicting a Tenant vs an Unlawful Occupier: What Property Owners Must Know

South African landlords often make one critical mistake: treating every occupier who refuses to leave a property the same. The law clearly distinguishes between a tenant and an unlawful occupier, and confusing the two can derail the entire eviction process. The starting point is simple: does the person have lawful consent or a legal right […]

Buying Off Plan? How to Protect Your Deposit from Developer Bankruptcy

Buying property off plan remains a popular entry point into the South African property market in 2026, driven by the exemption from transfer duty and the potential for capital appreciation during the build phase. However, as recent market shifts have shown, the risk of developer insolvency is an ever-present variable in these transactions. Understanding the […]

No More Estate Fines Without Warning

For many South Africans living in estates or sectional title schemes (community schemes), fines have become part of everyday life. A penalty for speeding, a charge for parking, a debit on your levy statement for conduct you may not even have known was an issue. Most people pay these fines without question. The approach is, […]

When Relationships End, the Lease Doesn’t

It’s an unfortunate reality that separation often affects both your emotions and your finances, especially when the affected couple is bound by a lease. In these situations, landlords and tenants face many risks when the last thing on anyone’s mind is the paperwork that comes with moving on. However, ignoring the admin that goes with […]

Legal Distinction Between Private and Public Roads

A private road is defined as one that is not open to the public and is intended for the use of specific individuals, such as the owners or occupiers of the properties it serves. The term “private” inherently excludes public access, as established in Berdur Properties (Pty) Ltd v 76 Commercial Road (Pty) Ltd, where […]