Maryna holds the BA, LLB, LLM degrees and is a Director at the Cape Town branch of STBB. She is an admitted Attorney, Notary Public, Conveyancer and Insolvency Practitioner with many years of experience in the fields of property law, conveyancing and the laws relating to corporate compliance (especially in respect of the FICA and POPIA laws). Up until 2018 she was also head of the firm’s national marketing portfolio. She is a seasoned public speaker and presenter, both in person and online. She prepares text for the majority of STBB’s internal and external publications and is editor and co-writer for two pivotal publications in the South African real estate industry – the ABC of Conveyancing (JUTA) and Delport’s South African Property Law and Practice (JUTA).

Thought of the Week | Five common mistakes that sellers make when signing a property sale agreement

STBB’s conveyancing team advises as follows:

  1. In sales of sectional title properties, there often is confusion as to whether or not the exclusive use areas of which the seller enjoys beneficial use form part of the sale. This depends on whether or not it is a formal exclusive use area registered in the deeds office or whether the rights are “informal” in the sense that the seller enjoys the use thereof assigned in terms of the rules of the relevant scheme. In the latter instance, the exclusive use area cannot be included in the property sale agreement as part of the property sold.
  2. Sellers often downplay the importance of making adequate disclosure in the property condition report which is attached to the property sale agreement. At present, it is not a legal requirement for the report to be attached to the sale agreement although it is recommended by the Estate Agents Affairs Board; but the law is about to be changed shortly to make it compulsory. Either way, it is best to give proper disclosure of the property’s condition in that report, simply because it is honest and the right thing to do. Also, if there is clarity upfront on the condition of the property, later disputes – that so often delay transfer or end in costly litigation – can be avoided.
  3. Sellers should take note that agreements place the liability to ensure that certain prescribed Compliance Certificates are in place, on them. These certificates are mostly obligatory and relate to electric, gas and water installations on the property, amongst others. There is a cost for the certificate itself as well as for the reparation work to be done, if indicated. These costs are for the seller’s account. Sellers however often forget to budget for this cost which can run up easily if the current installations have not been regularly maintained.
  4. Where the seller of a property is an entity (for example, a company or close corporation), it is very important to ensure that the members of the close corporation or directors of the company are in agreement with the sale. A properly drafted resolution is required, and the resolution will also appoint a particular person to be the signatory on behalf of the close corporation or company. If the seller is a trust, similar provisions apply, although more strictly because of legal differences between trusts on the one hand, and companies and close corporations on the other. As a rule of thumb, it is crucial that the resolution is drafted and signed before the property sale agreement is concluded.
  5. Sellers and buyers alike often have an incorrect understanding of the liability for the expenses in a transaction including a property sale agreement.

Download our brochure on Who Pays for What for an easy guide of the costs involved in a property transaction for the Seller and Buyer or contact us at info@stbb.co.za

Brochure: Who Pays for What

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