Lisa Mace is a Senior Associate Attorney, Notary and Conveyancer at STBB's Noordhoek branch. After completing her LLB degree at Stellenbosch University, Lisa joined STBB in January 2013 and was thereafter admitted as an Attorney, Notary and Conveyancer in 2015. Whilst most of her work is in Real Estate Conveyancing and Property Law, Lisa also attends to Antenuptial Contracts and general notarial work. Lisa focusses on providing a boutique, relationship-based conveyancing service in line with STBB's 'Big Small Firm' ethos. Outside of the office, you may bump into Lisa in the ocean or on one of the many mountain trails in the Southern Peninsula.

Thought of the Week | Plans approved and added municipal requirements

Lees in Afrikaans    |    Inguqulelo ngesiXhosa

Once building plans have been approved by your local municipality and you have completed the renovation, alteration, addition or extension to your home in accordance with such plans in the required timeframe, it is imperative that you, or your project manager, make contact in writing with the municipality in order to request the issue of a Certificate of Occupancy. This certificate is signed off by the Municipal Building Inspector once he/she has visited your property and confirmed that you have built in accordance with the approved plans and any conditions that the municipality may have imposed.

If your buildings are not compliant, or you have made changes during the course of construction, the Building Inspector may request that a deviation plan is drafted, submitted and approved before the Occupancy Certificate will be issued.

An Occupancy Certificate is crucial where renovations, alterations, extensions or additions have been carried out as a building may only be formally occupied after the certificate has been issued. Once issued, remember to keep your certificate in a safe place in case it is needed again when selling or mortgaging your property.

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