Property Advice

Constantly evolving regulations, a fluctuating market, ever-changing neighbourhoods… the property market is a constantly-moving industry that requires expert insight and knowledge. Private Property provides the latest news and advice on everything property related for all sides of the spectrum. In our one-stop Property Advice portal, you can find:

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Property Advice

Tenancies and deposit handling

All landlords are entitled to take a deposit as security from their tenant, said Michael Bauer, general manager of IHFM, the property management company, and he says, from one month to two months’ rent as a deposit is a good ...

Property Advice

10 biggest lessons of 2012 for property investors!

Dear Property Investors “The man who trades freedom for security, does not deserve nor will he receive either.”  Benjamin Franklin Wow another year has gone by and I am either getting older ...

Property Advice

Electric fences need certificate of compliance

Recently certain parts of the Electrical Machinery Regulations (issued in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act) became operational. Of relevance to the property industry are the provisions that require the issuing of a ...

Property Advice

Another “Shocking” Property Requirement

In terms of the Electrical Machinery Regulations of 2011 issued under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, an additional compliance certificate is now required where there is a change of ownership of immovable ...

Property Advice

Make Sure your Letting Agent is up to Scratch

Landlords and tenants use rental agents because they assume that, as professionals, these agents know their business and will protect the rights of both parties. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and it is very ...

Property Advice

Pimp Your Tree

Tis’ the season to be jolly. And spend wads of cash on presents for ungrateful nephews. And have your ears assaulted by endless renditions of the Little Drummer Boy. The yuletide spirit certainly seems to disappear as we get ...

Property Advice

Every Cloud has a Silver Lining

The global real estate industry has had a shake-out by anyone’s reckoning. Like a sideways slide on a surfboard without a fin, property prices have been caught in the white water of the 2008 tsunami. As in any ‘disaster’ the ...

Property Advice

Landlords Obligations to Their Tenants

In the past, said Michael Bauer, general manager of IHFM, the property management company, tenants in most cases thought that their landlords had unreasonable rights. Things have changed and swung the other way now, he said, and ...

Property Advice

Agents Need to Embrace Online Technology

The South African estate agent office can still be seen in most South African suburbs and city centres with property photographs in the window and adverts on rubbish bins. However, consumers are far better served by an estate ...