Property Transfers – What Could Be The Delay?

Most sellers, purchasers, estate agents, banks and attorneys were relieved when it was announced that deeds offices could re-open on 4 May 2020 under the Alert Level 4 of lockdown regulations. This meant that property transactions previously concluded could be finalised, at which stage sellers could receive the proceeds of sale, purchasers who contracted to move into properties on registration could do so, estate agents could receive payment of their commission, banks could disburse loans granted and start receiving interest and attorneys could pass their fees.

Unfortunately, deeds offices only resumed operations on 13 May 2020 after a public announcement by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform on 12 May 2020.  Until then, deeds offices awaited receipt of PPE's (personal protective equipment) from government and made arrangements for staff to safely return to work.  Since re-opening, the deeds offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pietermaritzburg