Annetjie is a practising Attorney, Notary Public, and Conveyancer, operating from both the Cape Town and Helderberg branches of STBB. Her responsibilities include Director of STBB, branch head of STBB Helderberg, and member of the firm’s Executive Committee. In addition, she is head of the Development Law Unit, which is a specialist forum addressing development requirements in the fields of planning law, environmental law, construction law, renewable energy law, and, importantly, local government law. As a practising Conveyancer, Annetjie deals with a conglomerate of property-related matters such as sectional titles, developments, bonds, transfers, and municipal work for local councils. Further, her expertise extends to all aspects of notarial work. She has worked on numerous large-scale developments in the Western Cape, particularly in Stellenbosch, Helderberg, and the Overberg area. Although she specialises in conveyancing, Annetjie is passionate about family law and has a special interest in the constitutional law aspects of children’s rights. She is actively involved in the firm’s marketing and brand development on a national level. Annetjie also oversees various compliance and reporting initiatives. She engages in substantial research activities related to the property market and property investment, communicating interesting and relevant facts to her clients and the media. In addition, Annetjie conducts Legal Updates for banks and estate agents. Her extensive knowledge and experience in the property market, along with her connections with key role-players in the property industry, make her an invaluable ally for any property investor. Demonstrating her commitment to professional growth, Annetjie is currently focused on becoming a specialist in the field of green energy law.

From the desk of Annetjie | Rate clearance procedure for vacant land in Overstrand

A “plot cleaning deposit” is included in the rates clearance figure issued to the transferring attorney, should the land not be clear upon inspection by the fire department. The amount of the deposit is calculated as a fixed standard fee plus an additional rate, calculated in accordance with the size of the property.

The following two options are available:

  1. The seller can arrange cleaning of the property after receipt of the figures, after which arrangements must be made for the fire department to do an inspection. If the fire department is satisfied, amended rates clearance figures (excluding a plot cleaning deposit) may be requested; or
  2. The seller pays the rates clearance figures, including the plot cleaning deposit and the rates clearance certificate is issued. After the Municipality received notification of transfer of the property, and the seller’s application for his refund, the fire department has to do an inspection. If they are satisfied that the property was cleared, the plot cleaning deposit will be refunded to the seller. If the property was not cleared by the seller at his expense, the plot cleaning deposit will be retained by council.

The “plot cleaning deposit” is calculated as follows: Standard Fee of R1 243.29) plus the following rates per square metre:
Hermanus (Voëlklip, Eastcliff, Hermanus Heights, Westcliff, Northcliff, Mount Pleasant, Zwelihle, Sandbaai, Onrustrivier, Vermont, Hawston, Fisherhaven) R2,60
Gansbaai (De Kelders, Perlemoenbaai, Blompark, Masakhane, Birkenhead, Van Dyksbaai, Franskraalstrand, Pearly Beach) R2,80
Stanford R2,50
Kleinmond (Rooi Els, Pringlebaai, Betty’s Baai, Overhills) R2,90
The Fire Department inspection fee amounts to a further R214

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