Cabinet has recently approved a proposal that will bring some relief to consumers carrying the burden of settled debt on their credit records. More...

Often when we try to obtain copies of approved building plans for a property we market, we find that plans are not available at Council, and the sellers also do not have a copy. Why does this happen? Is it really necessary to have copies of approved building plans available? More...

A growing concern among owners renting out their property is that the initial deposit paid will not be enough if the tenant defaults and there is damage to the property. With this new product from PayProp, which is underwritten by RMB Structured Insurance Limited, owners now have cover of rent and damages at minimal cost to the tenant... More...

If you hold a residential property in the name of a company, CC or trust read on. You have a golden opportunity to save a huge amount of tax – provided you act now. The following article is published with the kind permission of Koos du Plessis of Du Plessis and Associates, who will be able to advise and assist in this matter. His contact number is 011 789 2528. More...

Working from home is a growing trend, not only because internet opened up so many new opportunities, but also because it is a great way to be self-employed without having the overhead of rented office space. In addition to that one is not stuck in traffic on a daily basis, and work hours can be flexible. But to turn that cottage into a work-from-home office legally, one has to adhere to certain rules.  More...

In an ideal rental environment, a deposit should be refunded immediately after the expiry of the lease. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. It is good to know the rules... More...

We all have busy schedules. Getting a notification that your presence is requested at the AGM of your body corporate is often met with a feeling of "Another boring meeting! I'll give it a skip. They can get along without me." Next time, think twice. It is in your interest to be there. More...

Can a deposit be utilised to cover the last month's rent? If not, why a deposit? And when can the tenant expect the deposit to be refunded? What about interest accrued on the deposit? What does the Rental Act say about this? More...

Everybody knows that one should spruce up a home and garden a bit before selling, to make it as attractive as possible for buyers. Another very important but often neglected preparation is to make sure that no legal or financial hiccups will slow down the transfer process. Take care of the following matters before you put your property on the market, and you will save yourself a lot of frustration. More...