Sectional Title Balconies

Balconies In Sectional Title Complexes

Balconies in sectional title schemes

Under South African sectional title law, balconies are considered common property, but with an important nuance:

Common property by default:

In the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act (STSMA), anything outside the median line of the walls, floors, and ceilings of a section (unit) is deemed common property. This includes external walls, roofs, and balconies.

Balcony exclusive use rights:

Individual owners have them as exclusive-use areas, even though they are common property. This means the owner has the right to use them, but the body corporate retains ownership.

Balcony maintenance responsibility:

Unless the scheme rules specify otherwise, the body corporate is responsible for maintaining common property. However, the owner may be responsible for the maintenance costs.

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Don’t Skip Your Home Inspection

Why Skipping a Home Inspection Can Cost You Thousands

At some point, you may be considering purchasing a new home and the question of whether to get a home inspection might cross your mind. You might think that skipping a home inspection can save you money. In reality, it can cost you thousands in repairs in the long run. A home inspection is a crucial step in the home-buying process! A home inspection can help you avoid potential pitfalls, identify hidden problems, and negotiate better terms with the seller. Read why skipping a home inspection can be a costly mistake, and how it can affect you and your investment.

The Risks of Skipping a Home Inspection

Skipping a home inspection can lead to several risks that can affect your investment. One of the most significant risks is the potential for hidden problems that can be expensive to repair. With the “Voetstoots” clause in most preowned house sales, you are at risk! Without a home inspection, you may not know about any defects, building regulation violations, or safety hazards. This may lead to costly repairs! Additionally, without a home inspection, you might miss out on important details about the home’s condition. This includes systems such as the age of the roof, plumbing and electrical systems or the foundation. These systems can also impact the value of the property.

Another risk of skipping a home inspection is the potential for legal and financial liabilities. If you purchase a home without a home inspection and later discover significant problems, you may be held liable for the costs of repair. Furthermore, if you decide to sell the property without disclosing the defects, you could face legal consequences and even lose your investment.

The Benefits of Getting a Home Inspection

On the other hand, getting a home inspection can help you avoid these risks and provide you with several benefits. One of the main benefits of a home inspection is that it can identify any defects or issues that you may not be aware of, which can help you negotiate with the seller for better terms. Additionally, a home inspection can help you plan for any future maintenance or repairs that may be necessary. Regular maintenance will save you money in the long run. A good reason for not skipping your home inspection!

Furthermore, a home inspection can provide you with peace of mind, knowing that you have a home inspection report of the home’s condition. The report will include the property’s strong points and any suggestions for repairing the defects of the property. Regular maintenance is a feature of any property! The report will give you a good idea of the maintenance you may need to undertake. Additionally, a home inspection can help you avoid surprises after the purchase, reducing the stress and anxiety associated with buying a new home.

Conclusion

In conclusion, skipping a home inspection can be costly! It can lead to hidden problems, legal and financial liabilities, and reduced property value. Getting a home inspection, on the other hand, can provide you with several benefits. These include identifying defects, negotiating better terms with the seller, planning future repairs, and providing you with peace of mind. Therefore, I recommend that you always get a home inspection before buying a property to ensure that you are making a sound investment.

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 Inspected Once, Inspected Right!®

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THE HOME DETECTIVE » Inspections » home inspector

Consumers and the Property Practitioners Bill

Has the Property Practitioners Bill missed the point?

consumers

Are consumers offered more protection?

Parliament passed the new Property Practitioners Bill on Tuesday 4th December 2018. This bill has been on the cards since 2011!

The Bill was supposed to finally provide buyers (consumers) more protection in the secondary housing market.

However, it appears the Minister of Human Settlements and his staff and the National Assembly totally missed the point!

Here is that portion of the Bill:

CHAPTER 10

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Mandatory disclosure form

  1. A property practitioner –
    1. may not accept a mandate unless the seller or lessor of the property has provided him or her with a fully completed and signed mandatory disclosure in the prescribed form; and
    2. must provide a copy of the completed mandatory disclosure form to a prospective purchaser or lessee who intends to make an offer for the purchase or lease of a property.
  2. The completed mandatory disclosure form signed by all relevant parties must be attached to any agreement for the sale or lease of property and forms an integral part of that agreement, but if such a disclosure form was not completed, signed or attached, the agreement must be interpreted as if no defects or deficiencies of the property were disclosed to the purchaser.
  3. A property practitioner who fails to comply with subsection (1) may be held liable by any affected consumer.
  4. Nothing in this section prevents the Authority from taking action against a property practitioner or imposing an appropriate sanction.
  5. Nothing in this section prevents a consumer, for his or her account, from undertaking a private property inspection to confirm the state of the property before finalising the transaction.

This is the protection this Bill offers to buyers (consumers) who buy properties from sellers.

So what has changed?

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About me

home inspection

Certified Home Inspector – Gauteng

Home inspector
Jurie Fourie – Certified Professional Home Inspector and owner of THE HOME DETECTIVE. I do professional property inspections!

My Mission and Goals

As a certified home inspector, I aim to provide you with a thorough, objective, confidential inspection and report.

My mission is to inspect and produce the best home inspection reports in the country!

The report will provide you with the necessary information to make a well-informed decision when purchasing a property. As a result, you reduce your risk considerably!

Furthermore, you will also receive advice on the proper maintenance of your property.

As a home inspector, I consider only your interests when conducting an inspection! Other parties, who may have a vested interest in the sale of the property, will not influence the accuracy and correctness of the inspection and your property report.

I adhere strictly to the guidelines set by InterNACHI to provide you with the most professional, reliable, and courteous service.

Complete customer satisfaction is my goal!

Why hire me as your Home Inspector?

Experience

I obtained a National Diploma (NQF6) in Construction Management in 1974. I was employed as a contracts manager and later as an area manager by companies such as Murray & Roberts, LTA, Stocks & Stocks, Schachat Homes and Balwin Properties.

In addition, I have over 40 years of experience in the building industry. This includes construction project management of complexes, high-rise and industrial buildings, large housing township projects including roads and services, systems experience, property inspection and much more! To sum it up, during my career, I have been involved with building and inspecting all construction projects except bridges and tunnels.

I am a certified home inspector and a member of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI).

Therefore, I have extensive professional training to provide you with the best service you will find anywhere!

Sole owner

My business is not a franchise like many other inspection companies, I am a sole proprietor of my business. Moreover, I do the inspections and reports myself to guarantee the highest inspection and report standards! In addition, because I am independent and not connected with a franchiser, I can offer you far better value for money with reduced inspection fees!

You will still receive the best in-depth, detailed and comprehensive inspection report, with photos, that are easy to understand. If you are still unsure, look at how many unsolicited testimonials I have received on Google Business compared to other inspectors!

Furthermore, I use the latest technology and home inspection equipment. I also have had extensive professional training to provide you with the best service you will find anywhere!

My pricing is extremely competitive, but if you get a cheaper quote from another certified inspector or inspection company and feel comfortable with them then you should go with them! But please, whatever you decide, have an inspection for your benefit.

Inspection area

I inspect properties from Johannesburg South to the north of Pretoria, as far west as Hartbeespoort and Brits and as far east as Bronkhorstspruit.

Availability

My availability until 7 pm every evening on weekdays and during the day on Saturday gives you the option of having your property inspection at your convenience. Furthermore, you are welcome to phone me 7 days a week to answer any questions you have.

As a certified home inspector, I abide by InterNACHI’s strict Code of Ethics. All inspections are performed according to InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice for our industry.

If anything is unclear or if you have any questions contact me. I will resolve your query as soon as possible.

When you make an offer on a property you must insert an Inspection Contingency in the offer for a property inspection.

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Inspected Once, Inspected Right!®

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THE HOME DETECTIVE » Inspections » home inspector

My Promise

home inspectors

My Promise To You

certified home inspector

Jurie Fourie – Certified Home Inspector, member of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), and owner of THE HOME DETECTIVE

Yes, your home is one of the biggest investments you will make. Furthermore, choosing the right certified home inspectors can be difficult.

Many factors may influence your choices, such as different qualifications, equipment, experience, reporting methods, and pricing.

Testimonials and recommendations are also important factors in making your choice. However, there is no doubt that the best-trained and experienced home inspectors are InterNACHI-certified inspectors!

But one thing is certain: good home inspections and reports require a lot of work! Most of my work in home inspections and reports is not in the physical inspection itself but in the production of the inspection report! Reports can take anything from 1 to 2 full days to complete!

As a result, my home inspection knowledge, skill, experience, and commitment are paramount in providing you with the best home inspection and report in the business. I guarantee that I will give you my very best effort and commitment when inspecting your property and producing your inspection report.

This I promise you.

home inspector

Jurie Fourie – NACHI14102004

Member of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)

I inspect most areas and municipalities in the northern part of Gauteng.

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 Inspected Once, Inspected Right!®

SEE WHERE I INSPECT IN GAUTENG!

THE HOME DETECTIVE » Inspections » home inspector

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