Inspections when you move in and out of a rental
The law requires a joint inspection when you move in and before you leave a rental. Here is how to do both properly and protect your deposit.
Tenants’ rights and responsibilities in South Africa
What South African tenants and landlords can expect of each other, from deposits and repairs to evictions and the Rental Housing Tribunal.
Rental deposits: the rules for tenants and landlords
How rental deposits work in South Africa: where the money is kept, who earns the interest, and the deadlines for refunding it after the lease ends.
Renting a home: what to check before you sign
Before you sign a lease, check the landlord, the lease terms, the condition of the home and your costs. A practical checklist for South African renters.
The mandatory disclosure form: what sellers must declare
Sellers and landlords declare known defects on this form. See who must complete it, what happens if it's missing and why honesty protects you.
How to price your home to sell
How to set an asking price buyers will accept: compare recent sales nearby, get agent valuations, understand your costs and avoid overpricing.
Getting your home ready to sell
Practical steps to prepare your home for sale: fix small faults, declutter, sort certificates and paperwork, and present it well for photos and viewings.
Compliance certificates you need to sell a house
Which compliance certificates a South African seller may need: electrical, electric fence, gas, plumbing and beetle, plus rates and levy clearance.
Estate agent commission: how it works
Estate agent commission in South Africa is negotiable, often quoted at about 5% to 7.5% plus VAT. See how it is worked out, who pays it and what to ask.
Sole mandate or open mandate?
A sole mandate gives one agent the exclusive right to sell your home for a set period. An open mandate lets several agents compete. Here is how to choose.