Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa March 2013 | Page 25

REI Residential

Is Street Justice
The Answer?

JHB Gets General
Valuation Roll

Rental Golden Rules

During the Constitutional Court hearing
on the municipal rates boycott, Chief Justice
Mogoeng Mogoeng commented that the
court’s decision would have a profound effect
on the approach to service provision, the
failure to pay for services, and protests related
to service delivery. His comment summed up
perfectly the depth of the conundrum facing
the court, for as pointed out in its report on
the matter, two key questions are raised by the
dispute:
* Should taxpayers be expected to continue
paying municipal rates and taxes ‘for ever and
ever’, even if they receive poor services?
* Could they stop paying, or would you have
to ‘turn to the streets’ in protest against poor
service delivery?

The 2013 General Valuation Roll is in its final
stages and will come into effect on 1 July 2013.
The valuation roll allows the City to generate
rates on what it calls an equitable basis and
property owners will be notified of their new
values in their February municipal statements.
This is the word according to the City of
Johannesburg’s property valuer. This allows
the City to generate rates on what it calls
an equitable basis and propert y owners
will be notified of their new values in their
February municipal statements. The City of
Johannesburg’s website sites the latest General
Valuation Roll as the basis for market value of
all properties as of 2 July 2012 as an indication
of the most likely price a property would realise
on the open market by willing parties.

So you’re looking to rent a property? Michelle
Dickens, Managing Director of TPN, points
out that by following a few golden rules,
renting is a happier process for landlords and
tenants alike. Dickens says that the majority of
tenants have a proven track record indicating
a history of Good Standing tenant behaviour.
Landlords of a house or flat should always carry
out a thorough tenant check before signing a
lease agreement. “Successful landlords match
quality tenants with their carefully selected
rental stock. Tenants require good value, good
location, and neatly maintained properties,”
she continues. “The dynamic of the tenant
/ landlord relationship is often fraught with
frustration but following these steps will help
to ensure the tenant understands his rights as
well as his obligations.”

Valuable Input

Cristina Rosa,
Property Specialist,
Engels & Volkers

Richard Rubin, CEO,
Aengus Properties

“The younger you are
when you buy the
quicker you can pay
your property off and
the more debt free
you can be. With
less debt comes more
credit, should you
want to invest in more
properties later in life.”

“Key to our success has
been understanding
that students are
not that different
to any other type of
residential tenant.
They’re looking for
safe, well managed
accommodation in a
convenient location.”

www.reimag.co.za

Kay Geldenhuys,
Manager, Ooba

Lanice Steward, MD,
Knight Frank Anne
Porter

Bill Rawson,
Chairman, Rawson
Property Group

“When you start
planning to buy a
house, the most
important thing to do
is get your financi