Tenant ‘Red Flags’ and How to Avoid Them

The wrong tenant can have a lasting negative effect. The residential property industry continues its upward trajectory, and investors are getting in on the action.  However, with the rise of investors choosing to take advantage of low prices and invest in ‘buy-to-let’ properties comes an excess supply of rental properties in areas with high supply […]

Can a Creditor Sell the Home of a Debtor to Recover Outstanding Debt?

Most South Africans today, are overburdened and overwhelmed with debt and are struggling to repay creditors. According to recent statistics, a third of people in South Africa with credit are struggling to repay their debts. This means, there are approximately 10 million people who are three months or more behind on debt repayments. This article […]

Contractual Consequences of Breaking Off an Engagement

Contrary to popular belief, an engagement is not a mere social agreement. South African common law recognises an engagement (or promise to marry) as a contract from which some contractual remedies may flow. The engagement contract is, however, a contract sui generis (of its own kind). Therefore, it gives rise to certain contractual remedies. If […]

VAT on Short-Term Lettings and Commissions

Are you acting as agent or principal—and what would be the pragmatic approach? There are very few people across the world who haven’t heard of Airbnb. Started in San Francisco in 2008, this multi-billion-dollar NASDAQ-listed company that employs around 7,000 people has revolutionised the short-term letting industry. Over four million property owners around the world […]