Advice & News

Browse all of our latest blog posts and get the best information for all of your property enquiries.

Latest News

AllSectional Title Governance
AllRental Management
AllProperty Finance
AllMarket News
AllLegislative Guidelines
AllContractual Matters
Land Claims' Impact on Mortgage Bond Registration
Legislative Guidelines

Land Claims' Impact on Mortgage Bond Registration

When it comes to commercial lending transactions, the lender – usually a commercial or corporate division of a bank – may require confirmation that there are no land claims in process in respect of the property or properties that will form part of the security to be registered in the lending structure.

December 3, 2020
Legal victory for heterosexual life partners
Legislative Guidelines

Legal victory for heterosexual life partners

In the recent decision of Bwanya v The Master of the High Court and others, the court discussed the legal status of heterosexual life partners, specifically the rights of a surviving life partner to the proceeds of a deceased partner’s estate.

December 3, 2020
Coronavirus lockdown and Offer to Purchase
Contractual Matters

Coronavirus lockdown and Offer to Purchase

We are experiencing unchartered territory with the current lockdown due to the Coronavirus and while it is impossible to predict what the future holds or have immediate answers to what this might mean for each property related scenario, we can offer some advice to those who have signed an Offer to Purchase prior to or during the lockdown in South Africa.

April 6, 2020
Rectifying information on a title deed
Contractual Matters

Rectifying information on a title deed

A title deed is the formal record of who the current owner is of a specific piece of land so naturally, making sure that this information is accurate and up to date is incredibly important.Title deeds contain a number of important facts and information relating to the property, including the legal description, the size / extent of the property, conditions that the property is subject to, the last recorded purchase price and details of both the seller and purchaser. One of the most pivotal stages in the transfer process is where the Deeds Registry endorses the new title deed and rights are tra

April 6, 2020
What is the role of an estate agent?
Rental Management

What is the role of an estate agent?

An estate agent plays an integral part in most property transfers, acting as the link between the seller and buyer, negotiating the terms of the offer to purchase and helping to ensure a smooth and positive process for both parties.

April 6, 2020
Documents required for transfer of property
Contractual Matters

Documents required for transfer of property

We know that paperwork isn’t everyone’s favourite thing, and while the property transfer process does require quite a few documents, it needn’t be overwhelming for buyers or sellers. That’s why we’ve put together this list of documents required for transfer of property.

February 26, 2020
What should I know about bond registrations and cancellations?
Contractual Matters

What should I know about bond registrations and cancellations?

For the majority of property buyers, taking out a bond to help finance the purchase of their dream home is an essential step of the process. The good news for Snymans clients is that our experienced team can guide you through the process…

February 26, 2020
The Rental Housing Tribunal
Rental Management

The Rental Housing Tribunal

It is always the hope that tenant and landlord relationships remain respectful and positive, but when things take a turn for the worse, the Rental Housing Tribunal is there to help. Here’s what you need to know…

February 26, 2020
Effective Cause – who earns estate agent commission?
Contractual Matters

Effective Cause – who earns estate agent commission?

An estate agent can be an invaluable asset in helping you secure a quick and lucrative sale, but in cases where more than one agent might be marketing your property, how do you know who you owe commission to when a sale is concluded?

January 31, 2020
Types of property transfers: the basics you need to know
Contractual Matters

Types of property transfers: the basics you need to know

Whether it’s through a sale, inheritance or divorce settlement, there are a number of reasons for a property to be transferred from one owner to another. Each scenario is dealt with in slightly different ways, and our experienced team of conveyancing attorneys have put together a brief guide to help you understand the basics of each property transfer type.

January 31, 2020
6 top tips from the Snymans Team
Contractual Matters

6 top tips from the Snymans Team

For many, the start of 2020 means a new property search, or in some cases a sale. Because there is so much to think about when embarking on this exciting process, the team at Snymans Inc have put together some of their top tips to help you on your journey.

January 9, 2020
New year, new home
Contractual Matters

New year, new home

The new year has just kicked off and now is the perfect time to put plans in place to buy your new dream home. If you’re wondering where to start, read on to get some advice from the experts…

January 9, 2020
What does the new Airbnb law mean for Cape Town property owners?
Legislative Guidelines

What does the new Airbnb law mean for Cape Town property owners?

Cape Town has approved new legislation that will have a significant impact on how short-term and holiday rentals will operate in the city, enabling property owners to financially benefit from the tourism industry.

January 9, 2020
Property Registration and Transfer Costs: Responsibilities Defined
Contractual Matters

Property Registration and Transfer Costs: Responsibilities Defined

A property transfer comes along with significant expenses, but being well informed about what registration and transfer costs you can expect to incur means that you can plan carefully and avoid any unpleasant and costly surprises.

December 5, 2019
Attorney Trust Accounts
Legislative Guidelines

Attorney Trust Accounts

One of the fundamental components of being a legal practitioner is acting as a fiduciary of client funds which comes with a duty of care and significant responsibility.

December 5, 2019