I would like to know what can be done about money owed by a tenant who failed to pay his rent for five months while also running up municipal debts. The lease with the tenant was concluded approximately two years ago. He settled his rental haphazardly, paying part of it one month and nothing the next. During this time, he had managed to run up a municipal bill in excess of R150 000. I … [Read more...]
Tenant leaves without paying rent and municipal debts
A reader wants to know what can be done about money owed by a tenant who failed to pay his rent for five months while also running up municipal debts. … [Read more...]
How to transfer an RDP house into a child’s name
An 80-year-old mother wants to transfer her RDP house into her daughter's name and the latter wants to know the process required. … [Read more...]
Procedure to transfer RDP house into child’s name
My mother, who is 80, wants to transfer her RDP house into my name and we would like to know what procedures we need to follow. I am the youngest of four children and my siblings all own their own properties. My mother would like me to own a dwelling as well. Thank you, RDP House Transfer See what the experts have to say. … [Read more...]
Neighbours parking on verge questioned
A reader questions whether his neighbours have the right to park on the verge in front of his house and if there is anything he can do about it. … [Read more...]
Can neighbours park on my verge?
I would like to know whether my neighbours have the right to park on the verge in front of my house and if there is anything I can do about it. The owner has rented his house to tenants, who use my verge whenever convenient to them. Thank you, Parking Poser See what the experts have to say. … [Read more...]
Can landlord retain deposit if new tenant backs out of lease?
A reader who changed her mind about renting a property after paying the deposit wants to know if the landlord can legally retain the deposit until another tenant is found. … [Read more...]
Landlord keeps deposit after potential tenant cancels lease
I changed my mind about renting a property after paying the deposit and I would like to know if the landlord can legally retain it until another tenant is found. After viewing the property, I and my husband liked what we saw and paid the deposit to secure the lease. However, after my attorney viewed the lease contract, he pointed out a number of issues that caused us to review our decision … [Read more...]
Usufruct holder wants owner to vacate property
After having his mother's property transferred to him and a usufruct created for her, a reader wants to know whether she can demand that he vacate the dwelling given that he is the registered owner according to the title deed. … [Read more...]
Can usufructuary ask registered owner to leave property?
My mother transferred her property into my name a few years ago on condition that I take care of her until her death. A usufruct in her favour was created for the property, which comprises a main dwelling, occupied by my family, and a granny flat, where she lives. My mother seems to have had a change of heart and has demanded that I and my family vacate the main house. I would like to … [Read more...]
Verbal lease agreement a valid contract
A tenant wants to know what he can do about his verbal lease agreement, which he entered into in 2015, being disputed. … [Read more...]
Dispute over validity of verbal lease agreement
I entered into a verbal lease agreement for a property from late-2015 to mid-2019, but now there is a dispute over the arrangement. The owner of the property suffers from Alzheimer's and therefore her daughter acted on her behalf. The daughter has now passed away and an attorney, acting on behalf of the owner, apparently instructed by her son, is disputing the validity of the lease. I … [Read more...]
Implications of transferring father’s property into son’s name
A reader is considering transferring his father's house into his name and wants to know the legal and financial implications. … [Read more...]
How to transfer father’s property into son’s name
I am considering transferring my father's house into my name and I would like to know about the legal and financial implications. My elderly father owns a house with a municipal value of R350 000 and he has given his blessing for the transfer. Thank you, Transfer Costs See what the experts have to say. … [Read more...]
Setting up usufruct on property to be inherited
I would like to know the process of setting up a usufruct over a property, which is owned by my father and that I will inherit in terms of his will. The value of the property is R3-million and his life expectancy is three to five years. Thank you, Usufruct Procedure See what the experts have to say. … [Read more...]
Setting up usufruct before owner’s death
A reader would like to know the process of setting up a usufruct over a property owned by her father that she will eventually inherit in terms of his will. … [Read more...]
Recourse after developer sells same plot twice
After purchasing a plot in 2015, a reader recently discovered that the developer had sold the same plot to a second purchaser and she would like to know her rights in this situation. … [Read more...]
Owner’s options after developer sells plot twice
I purchased a plot of land in 2015, but recently discovered that the developer had sold the same plot to a second purchaser. Compounding the situation is that the other purchaser has built a house on the plot. Please can you advise me of my rights in this situation? Thank you, Bewildered Buyer See what the experts have to say. … [Read more...]
