Buying Off Plan? How to Protect Your Deposit from Developer Bankruptcy
Buying property off plan remains a popular entry point into the South African property market in 2026, driven by the exemption from transfer duty and the potential for capital appreciation during the build phase. However, as recent market shifts have shown, the risk of developer insolvency is an ever-present variable in these transactions. Understanding the […]
Testamentary trusts still have their place
Trusts have received a lot of bad press over the past few years, what with SARS taking a dim view of the use of trusts as a means of avoiding tax. A 2008 case involving a property trust, where the beneficiaries were changed in the hope of avoiding the payment of transfer duty, is but […]
Transfer of a property: Is VAT or transfer duty payable?
A purchaser is responsible for payment of transfer cost when acquiring an immovable property, but it should further be established if the transaction is subject to the payment of VAT or transfer duty to SARS. When an immovable property is transferred, either VAT or transfer duty is payable. To determine whether VAT or transfer duty […]