A recent High Court judgment confirms, yet again, that if a property seller knows about a hidden defect and keeps it quiet, no exemption clause will save them.

A recent High Court judgment confirms, yet again, that if a property seller knows about a hidden defect and keeps it quiet, no exemption clause will save them.
A recent High Court judgment confirms, yet again, that if a property seller knows about a hidden defect and keeps it quiet, no exemption clause will save them.
A recent High Court judgment confirms, yet again, that if a property seller knows about a hidden defect and keeps it quiet, no exemption clause will save them.
A recent High Court judgment confirms, yet again, that if a property seller knows about a hidden defect and keeps it quiet, no exemption clause will save them.
Contracts often contain suspensive conditions, a common example being the bond clause in a property sale agreement. The standard bond clause provides that the buyer must obtain a bond by a set deadline, and everyone’s rights and obligations under the agreement are suspended until the bond is granted.
South African property buyers and sellers will have been cheered by news that we are now officially the most affordable country in the world in which to buy a home. We’re only a nose ahead of the USA and Bahrain in this particular race, but it’s great to be a world leader in something so positive for a change.
You pay no transfer duty if the property you are buying sells for less than the set threshold. The threshold wasn’t increased last year, so this year’s proposed 10% increase from R1,100,000 to R1,210,000 (from 1 April) is a welcome adjustment for inflation.
A standard clause in loan agreements, suretyships and the like is the “certificate of balance” or “COB” clause.
You find the perfect plot on which to build your dream home in a security estate. Your offer is accepted and transfer proceeds – happy days!
Are you a visitor dreaming of waking up with giraffes on your lawn and wondering how to make it happen? Or a local being asked by overseas friends and relatives: “This country’s magic, how can I buy myself a property here?” We have all the answers…

We are a firm of attorneys with substantial experience in Contractual Agreements, Litigation, Employment Law, Lease Agreements and related legal services.
We specialise in Immigration Law, Residence Visas, Work Visas and Temporary Residence Visas.
Johannesburg
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Phone: +27 (0)11 268 5916
Email: goolam@kvnlaw.co.za
Cape Town
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146 Campground Rd, Newlands 7700.
Phone: +27 (0) 21 879 7007
Email: jp@kvnlaw.co.za