Selling Your House This Summer? Get Your Ducks in a Row With This Checklist
“In the summertime, when the weather is high, you can stretch right up and touch the sky.” (Mungo Jerry) Summer’s here with its blue skies, happy holidaymakers from around the country and the world, and, as always, an upsurge in demand for houses. If you’re going to capitalise on this seasonal upswing, start planning your […]
The Transfer Process in a Nutshell
“Don’t wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and wait.” (Will Rogers) Spring is in the air and, as the annual uptick in property sales kicks in, let’s address two questions commonly asked by both sellers and buyers who are unsure about exactly what happens after they sign their sale agreement: How does the […]
Don’t Let Cybercriminals Haunt You — Verify, Verify, Verify!
“If you suspect deceit, hit delete!” (Online cybersecurity slogan) October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a good time to note that as cybercrime continues to grow, more and more businesses and individuals are falling victim to the dreaded “BEC” or “Business Email Compromise” fraud. The million-dollar question: Who takes the hit? Typically in a BEC fraud, […]
Neighbours’ Facebook Feud: Cat Pics, Karens & Keyboard Muppets
With Facebook community discussion groups being such a big part of modern life, it’s important for everyone using them to understand the dangers of posting anything defamatory or insulting about other members. What are the limits of what you can say in a public debate? When are jokey cartoons just light-hearted fun and when are […]
Panhandle Access to Properties – The Mistakes to Avoid
You find out after taking transfer of your new house that your property comes with a “right of way” servitude in favour of your neighbours. That’s bad news not only for your enjoyment of your nice new property, but also for its value. A recent High Court decision addressed just such a situation. A property […]
A Bond Clause Deadline Whooshes by and a Sale Dies – Can You Revive it?
It’s easy to lose sight of deadlines in all the excitement of a home sale, but the consequences of letting a deadline expire can be dire. A recent Supreme Court of Appeal fight resulted from the buyer not getting a bond before the deadline expired. At the time, both buyer and seller wanted the sale […]
Good News for Grandma: The Law Wants You to Have Access to Your Grandchildren
“Grandparents, like heroes, are as necessary to a child’s growth as vitamins.” (Quoted in the judgment below) One of the greatest tragedies of family fall-outs will always be the effect they have on the children involved. A recent High Court fight over a granny’s attempts to have contact with her two grandchildren in the face […]
Fixed Term Contracts: A Guide for Employers and Employees
Everyone knows about the very strong employee protections provided by our employment laws. But we aren’t all as clear on when an employer is legally justified in hiring someone on a fixed term contract basis rather than on the standard “permanent employee” basis. Read on for a discussion of what a fixed term contract is, […]
Mortgage bond arrears: Can you challenge a certificate of balance?
“O, I do not like that paying back.” (Falstaff, in Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part I) A standard clause in loan agreements, suretyships and the like is the “certificate of balance” or “COB” clause. Typically, it will read something like this (but normally with a lot more verbiage, and bear in mind that every lender has […]
A Complex Issue: Beware Late Building Penalties
“Home wasn’t built in a day.” (Jane Ace, radio comedian) You find the perfect plot on which to build your dream home in a security estate. Your offer is accepted and transfer proceeds – happy days! So, imagine your distress when, having proudly taken ownership, you are suddenly told by the HOA (Homeowners’ Association) that […]