Answers to your questions

Have a question you would like answered? Email us and we may answer it. The questions here are based on ones from our readers, with identifying information removed.

Topic: Housing  |  Show questions and answers for all topics

How do I go about buying municipal land in a township to develop and rent out to students?

There are several different ways of buying municipal land.

Read more

The person who sold my mother her RDP house has died and her children are claiming the property is theirs. What can I do?

You could take your mother to Legal Aid and ask them to approach the court for a declaratory order that your mother is the legal owner of the house.

Read more

How do I claim the title deed for my RDP house?

it may be best to contact the Cape Town Deeds office, but because you have to visit the office in person, you may prefer to go to the Deeds Office in King Williamstown.

Read more

I have been living and working on a farm for 20 years. The owner passed away. Can the new owners evict me?

The new owners cannot evict you without a court order. You are covered by the Extension of Security of Tenure Act of 1997.

Read more

Is it legal to purchase a shack in an informal settlement which has services including electricity?

It is a complicated question but this may be a person's best chance to own a property.

Read more

The property that about 50 of us live on has a new owner who is harassing us and trying to evict us. What can we do?

You can seek a court order which forces the owner to turn the electricity back on. He can't evict you without a court order.

Read more

Our rent is ten days late and we are being evicted. What are our rights?

The Constitution states that no one can be evicted without a court order.

Read more

I applied for an RDP house in Delft in 2005 and still haven't received one. What are my options?

Unfortunately, this is a common story in Cape Town, and there has been a lot of anger and protests about it recently.

Read more

How can I go about buying the house I'm living in?

It is worth having a credit check done. You may still qualify for a bank loan even with a bad credit record.

Read more

I am a recipient of an RDP house. Where can I find my title deed?

The Deeds Office is responsible for registration and management of title deeds.

Read more