When a property is advertised, terminology – like the word “immaculate” describing the house our reader bought – is often used with the aim of raising the interest of prospective buyers.

However, says Grant Howard from Kaplan Blumberg attorneys in Port Elizabeth, no guarantees are given regarding the property itself. It remains the buyer’s responsibility to satisfy himself of the condition of the property.

An empty stand in a townhouse complex is at the root of this week’s reader question.

The stand currently belongs to the developer and our reader would like to know what the developer’s obligations are.

Is he liable for his share of the upkeep of the common property and does he have to pay a portion of the repairs to the boundary wall and electric fence?

Grant Howard from Kaplan Blumberg attorneys in Port Elizabeth says sections 34(1) and (2) of the Sectional Titles Act 95 of 1986 stipulate that the developer will be the owner of any section(s) in respect of which the ownership is not held by any other person.

’n Voorkoopreg – wat die kern van vandeesweek se leservraag is – kan beskryf word as ’n reg wat aan iemand verleen word om die eerste geleentheid te kry om ’n eiendom te koop, sou ’n eienaar besluit om die eiendom te verkoop.

Die leser sê die oordrag van die eiendom wat sy gekoop het, word vertraag, aangesien dit nou aan die lig gekom het dat die verkoper ’n boete moet betaal en handtekeninge moet bekom alvorens die oordrag kan plaasvind.

Many mothers are very concerned about separation anxiety that their children experience.  The terrible emotional pain of an infant or child not wanting to be separated from his/her mother (or caregiver) can be agonizing to both parent and child.  What causes this anxiety, when is  it normal and when does it indicate a problem?  How should it be dealt with?  How can we help our children to become secure adults?