Most Recent Renting Articles
FACTORS SELLERS OVERLOOK WHEN PREPARING FOR A MOVE
As exciting as it is to move into a new home, the process can be time consuming and stressful – especially if you have overlooked factors involved in preparing for a move. If it’s been a while since you have last experienced a move, here are a few reminders to help prepare yourself for what lies ahead… Packing takes longer than you think The worst mistake you can ma
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RULES FOR LEASING TO DISABLED TENANTS
Legally, landlords may not reject tenants based on their disability and must grant them the same opportunity to apply for tenancy as all other applicants. If you receive such an applicant, it is advisable to speak to an experienced estate agent with knowledge on this topic, or an attorney who can provide specific advice on how best to accommodate a tenant with a disability. Below are just a few
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CAN I GET OUT OF PAYING FINES ISSUED BY MY HOA?
Upon checking your mailbox, you’re surprised to find a white envelope with the signature of your Body Corporate and your name just below it. Contained therein is bold red typeface notifying you of a R500 fine for exceeding the 35 km/hour speed limit within the estate. After the wave of panic that follows getting caught red handed has abated, a new sense of unjustified indignation follows: Wh
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SIGNS THAT YOUR TENANTS IS GETTING HIGH IN YOUR HOME
While most news stories paint a very scary reality about the prevalence of drug-abuse in South Africa, the truth is that there is actually very limited accurate data from which to draw these conclusions. However, according to a study conducted in 2012 by Anti Drug Alliance South Africa, 5.8% of their 57,809 national respondents reported using drugs on a daily basis, with ecstasy and cocaine being
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WHEN SHOULD I EXPECT MY ADULT CHILD TO MOVE OUT?
Approximately one in two 18-34 year-olds live at home with parents. As a parent, that means you have a 50/50 chance that your teenager is going to end up living with you for much longer than you might have expected ... THE REASON BEHIND THE DELAY The discrepancy between entry-level salaries and the rising cost of living is one of the largest contributing factors for this delay in leaving the n
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CREATIVE EXCUSES MADE BY DEFAULTING TENANTS
Penalties for late payments and monthly reminders seem to be a lost on some tenants. Though it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to see the originality of the excuse in the moment, some of them are truly unique in hindsight. Below are some of the most creative excuses the RE/MAX of Southern Africa network has heard over the years… Technical Difficulties “The electricity
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HOW TO FOLLOW UP ON LATE PAYMENTS
You’ve screened the tenant thoroughly and their credit check returned a glowing review. You even built a clause into the rental agreement that stipulated that any late payments would accrue interest payable on the following month’s rent. And yet, your tenant is still late on his/her payments. What is a landlord to do about this? The reality is that every landlord will likely have to
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KNOWING WHICH REAL ESTATE AGENTS TO AVOID
Choosing the wrong real estate professional is like wearing an incredibly expensive pair of uncomfortable shoes. Unless you swap them out for a better fit, you’re going to have blisters to deal with at the end of the day. If the shoe doesn’t fit, don’t force it. The easiest way to tell that you have the wrong agent is if they make you feel doubtful or uncomfortable in any way.
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RENTING 101
Renting is often a race against time where the fastest applicant claims victory. To avoid the disappointment of losing out on your ideal property, you need to be fully prepared before you even start the process of looking for a place to rent. For those of you who have never rented before, below is a step-by-step guide for first-time renters: Step 1: Find out what you can afford The rule of thu
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MILLENNIAL TENANT DICTIONARY
If you overheard your tenant explaining to a friend that their landlord was being really extra about this lit party that was thrown for bae’s birthday the other night, would you have any idea of what they were saying? Considering that most South Africans can only afford to purchase property in their late thirties, it is highly probable that most tenants belong to the Millennial generation
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HOW TO PULL OFF A SELF-MOVE
Moving into a new home comes with such a long list of expenses that hiring a professional moving company is one of the first expenses that many buyers tend to try and work around. While using a professional moving company will reduce the risks of damage to your furniture and injury to yourself, smaller moves can be done effectively by yourself if you plan carefully and take all the necessary preca
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4 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR APARTMENT’S SECURITY GUARD
The gates are closed and there is a security guard onsite – I should be safe, right? The unfortunate reality is that this is most often untrue. Many buyer’s take for granted that the security or concierge at the front desk is well-trained and familiar with policies and procedures for access control. The fact is, this is often simply not the case. If you want to make sure your apartm
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