Compulsory Disclosures About Land Ownership

The Presidential Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture recommends compulsory disclosures about land ownership. A declaration process similar to FICA would be used.

What disclosures must owners make now?

The Deeds Registry Act says individual owners must identify themselves by disclosing their name, identity number, date of birth or registration number, and marital status. The name and registration number must be disclosed for a company or trust. Income tax and VAT registration numbers are sent to SARS when registering a title deed, as part of the transfer duty process.

Is the privacy of this identity information protected?

This identity information and the name and number of companies and trusts is recorded in the deeds registry and shown on the title deed. Title deeds are public documents. SARS information is not shown on the title deed.