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Greeff Properties, Residential and Development sales of property or real estate, residential and commercial rentals of properties, retirement complexes, homes and land in the Southern Suburbs, Atlantic Seaboard, City Bowl, CBD, False Bay, Overberg, Western Cape.Kennilworth Upper, Bishopscourt, Constantia Upper, Constantia, Constantia Rural, Constantia Hills, Camps Bay, Bakoven, Claremont Upper, Newlands, Swaanswyk, Silvertree Estate, Tamboerskloof, Gardens, Oranjezicht, Noordhoek, Simon’s Town, Clovelly, Rosebank, Rosebank Village, Rondebosch, Wynberg, Milkwood Park, Sun Valley, Marina Da Gama, Lakeside, Bergvliet, Diep River, Kenilworth, Plumstead, Foreshore, Vredehoek, CBD, Oranjezicht, Claremont, Nieuwe Steenberg, Steenberg, The Eight, Claremont Upper, Rondebosch Village.The Greeff Magazine Issue 21, prosperity through property.CONTENTSPg 04 - EARTHWORX: Heavenly gardening destinationPg 07 - BOX LIVING: Reader offer: R1000 off designer handcrafted furniturePg 08 - ESTABLISHMENT: Bespoke design solutionsPg 10 - KEN GERHARDT: Fine-art photographerPg 12 - TEA-TIME IS BACK: Seasonal bakes, just in time for autumnPg 16 - GREEFF’S CHOICE PROPERTIES: An equestrian estate and a unique beachfront home in KommetjiePg 17 - ANDRE KLEYNHANS: Personalised interior spacesPg 26 - NIEUWE STEENBERG: Idyllic winelands livingPg 34 - GET BOND SAVVY: The lowdown on loansPg 18 - BISHOPSCOURTPg 19 - CLAREMONT UPPERPg 20 - KENILWORTH UPPER/NEWLANDSPg 21 - CONSTANTIA UPPERPg 24 - CONSTANTIA/CONSTANTIABERG/BERGVLIETPg 27 - SILVERTREE/TOKAIPg 28 - FALSE BAYPg 30 - WYNBERG TO ROSEBANKPg 31 - SECTIONAL TITLEPg 31 - SOUTHERN SUBURBS AND CITY BOWLGREEFF PROPERTIES BRANCHESWynberg Head office 021 763 4120 | info@greeff.co.zaCity Bowl | 021 426 4848 | citybowl@greeff.co.zaFalse Bay 021 785 7222 | falsebay@greeff.co.zaCamps Bay 021 438 0991 | campsbay@greeff.co.zahttp://www.greeff.co.zaTHE WAY I SEE ITTHE SWEET AND THE SOUR It will take a while for the shock of Capital Gains Tax rises to settle, but the reality is that the lower to mid-range market stands to gain significantly from the newly elevated exclusion, with sellers looking to make up to R2 million CGT free profit on homes bought since 2001. We, therefore expect to see a rise in mid to upper mid-range, Cape Town properties, coming onto the market this year, priced from around R1.2 million to R2.5 million. Sellers with more expensive properties are likely to view the budget announcement as a “reality check” and bring their asking prices down, as the rise in CGT over the R2million exclusion could be viewed as something of a disincentive. However, while higher values might be somewhat capped for a time, the market is likely to readjust, and once the mindsets of investment buyers have been recalibrated, and they’ve shifted funds into more tax effective options, property values are likely to start cautiously edging up again. It’s important to bear in mind that decisions to buy or sell property are generally not solely ruled by tax implications. Affordability, ultimate returns, the need for liquidity and the amount of time one is planning to hold on to the property, are all components which play significant roles. Bond payers should take advantage of reduced rates in personal income tax and channel any extra Rands into a bond. All investors need to view these new parameters as a catalyst for making informed decisions and moving forward. Overall, the effects of the budget will be positive in that they’re likely to give the whole property market some much needed impetus, particularly as we now know where we stand, and one can make investment plans and financial decisions with an increased level of certainty. Pravin Gordhan might have sent us a few lemons with the 2012 budget, but we can definitely make lemonade! FOREIGN INVESTMENT Overseas investment in South Africa is still showing a positive outlook, aided no doubt by our legislation which ranks among the most lenient in the world regarding foreign ownership of real estate; funds introduced from outside South Africa to acquire fixed property within South Africa may be repatriated together with any profit on resale of the property, provided the Title Deed of the property has been endorsed “non-resident”. Foreigners are also able to raise finance in South Africa, and can be granted a maximum bond of 50% of the purchase price, as per rules and regulations of the South African Reserve Bank.NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT Howzat! Greeff Properties got off to a flying start with numerous sales including no less than four agent “hatricks” in January alone; Bruce Durham sold two properties in Nieuwe Steenberg and one in Silvertree Estate, Dave Rattle sold three properties in the Capri and Fishhoek areas, while winning partnerships Maureen Grimbeek and Vilma Gruneberg, operating in Kenilworth /Newlands and Greg Hadenham and Marina Nicolau, operating in the City Bowl both sold three properties apiece. Top price fetched in Bishopscourt by Debbie Woods, who broke Greeff’s record when she sold a property in the area for R54.4 million. Welcome Arie Kadé and Cheryl Teubes have recently welcomed Angie Bloom to Greeff’s Upper Constantia team. Angie has 27 years of experience in real estate bringing the triumvirate’s combined experience in the property business to an impressive 60 years! This dynamic threesome is currently a formidable force in Upper Constantia, where they’ve sold eight properties in the last quarter. Awards Greeff’s top performers for 2011, Mark Shagam and Val Petzold were each awarded a return ticket to London. At the time of going to press they’d already notched up four new sales in Rondebosch–one of which was for the full asking price. Buy-to-rent is presently the fastest growing real estate trend The rental market is currently very buoyant, with an increasing number of would-be sellers choosing to rent out second properties until the market improves, as well as first time investors buying with the aim of renting the unit out. Visit www.greeff.co.za and read “Score double when you buy to rent” – an introduction to the some of the tax benefits associated with the buy-to-rent option.FIRST IMPRESSIONS Prior to setting up EarthWorx with her business partner and fiancé, Tony Mitchell, an experienced landscaper, Gwen Gower ran her own garden service company for nine years. The final decision to purchase a home for yourself or your family is inevitably swung by emotion, with responses such as, “I just fell in love with the place” often sealing the deal. Would-be property sellers can tap into this phenomenon in a number of ways – from a cosmetic lick of paint, to more fundamental remedies necessitating blood, sweat and renovations, but in the currently heavily stocked buyer’s market, your property has to shout out that much louder than the others if it wants to be noticed. First impressions definitely count, so a garden with appeal is often your ticket to getting a potential buyer through the front door. “Gardens are so often an afterthought, and many people either don’t budget for them, or they run out of time and just throw money at the problem, and while a beautiful garden requires an investment, blowing a fortune at the nursery on beautiful plants does not guarantee an Eden either,” says Gwen Gower, Managing Director and owner of EarthWorx Garden World in Hout Bay. “People get carried away and buy like crazy when they love how a plant looks in the nursery – they forget that it’s growing under ideal conditions, then they rush home and plant it without any forethought or planning as to position, the soil in their own garden and general maintenance. Disappointment invariably follows,” says Gwen. “If you’re going to invest in your garden, and are unsure of the plant selection to make, we’ll come out to your home, look at your soil and the positions available in your garden, then walk you through the Eathworx nursery ensuring that you only select what’s right for your garden’s unique conditions,” says Gwen, adding that a well researched and thoughtfully landscaped garden will mean a significant saving in money and time in the long run.HEAVEN ON EARTHWORX Set on the lower reaches of Oranje Kloof, with a striking view of the majestic Table Mountain range and Constantia Nek beyond the lush tree canopy, EarthWorx Garden World is a one-stop horticultural haven. Apart from stocking a variety of exceptional quality, edible plants such as herbs, vegetables and fruit, seedlings, saplings and more mature plants, including large trees, Earthworx offers a wide choice of pots, garden furniture, ornaments and sculptures, water features and Khoi fish. “Customers get so excited about planting and revamping their gardens, and they want to get going as soon as they leave the nursery, so we also carry stock of planting and landscaping accessories, such as trellises, fences and paving, along with absolutely every screw, bolt, hook, bracket or other piece of hardware required to assemble and install, so you have everything you need to begin transforming your garden from the minute you get home,” says Gwen. Leaving might prove tricky, though, particularly if you have kids – they might have to be forcibly plucked of the eco-conscious jungle gyms and tree houses in the gorgeous shady play area. Then again, you could always browse around the gift shop and the exceptionally well stocked indoor-plant section, or just sit back and relax over masterfully brewed cappuccino and home baked cakes from the onsite coffee shop.GROWING TRENDS The lure of the wild - Move away from sterility to more relaxed or natural looking gardens by allowing plants to spring up and grow in an unstructured way as they would in a meadow, or opt for a display of decorative, variegated foliage.HOW THE WASTE IS WON Growing your own veggies will obviously mean you’re disposing of fewer plastic containers, and making your own compost using organic scraps will reduce your household waste to almost nothing. Gwen recommends an indoor composter which can be kept in the kitchen for food scraps and peelings. Rich in nutrients, the concentrated “tea” can be drained of and used as a nourishing tonic for all your plants, particularly the edible varieties – add one tablespoon of the brew to five litres of water.Get shredding - Great for making your own mulch from larger branches, a shredder is the green gardener’s must-have, and a great new innovation is a lawn mower with a built-in shredder capacity – EarthWorx stocks models of both.Good looking greens - Herb and veggie patches take centre stage becoming features in their own right. Plant herbs in an old wheelbarrow or even in an old tractor tyre to create a quirky feature. Exotic varieties such as Moroccan mint and Tuscan blue rosemary not only look ornamental, but are wonderful to add to your cuisine. Involve the whole family in planting – kids love monitoring how their own veggies grow and they might even be encouraged to eat them.EXOTIC VARIETIES SUCH AS MOROCCAN MINT AND TUSCAN BLUE ROSEMARY NOT ONLY LOOK ORNAMENTAL, BUT ARE WONDERFUL TO ADD TO YOUR CUISINE.Contact Details: Main road, Hout Bay (road linking Hout Bay to Constantia) Office: 021 790 8930 Nursery: 021 790 3033 Fax: 086 658 2342 Email: info@earthworx.org www.earthworx.orgBox LivingInspired by nature, every item in Box Living’s exclusive range of furniture and lighting is individually crafted, to ensure an object with unique character – no two pieces are alike.The Bloom Collection: epitomises all that is fresh and organic, drawing directly from nature. It’s a chorus of textures and eclectic profiles. Here woven facades meet plaid reflections in a burst of light and chic whimsy. With reference to an ever increasing global connectivity, The Nipis Collection is defined by techniques drawn from various craft cultures around the world – unique textures are created by intricate weaving, braiding, entwining and tailoring of components such as rope, wood, mirror, bamboo, leather and wire prosper.ESTABLISHMENT Headed up by Dawid Augustyn, a quantity surveyor by profession, with a passion for architecture and a flair for interiors, ESTABLISHMENT is a Cape Town based design and furniture company. “We take a holistic approach to both interior and exterior design, in that we provide clients with a complete start-to-finish service throughout the entire flow of a project,” says Dawid. ESTABLISHMENT prides itself on offering tailor-made solutions which include comprehensive advice, incorporating research-based facts and financial know-how, exterior, interior and landscaping architecture, design and decor as well as sourcing of furniture. “We specialise in moulding our design solutions around the South African lifestyle, and managing projects across a wide spectrum of budgets and sectors,” adds Dawid.”WE LOVE THINGS THAT ARE SIMPLE, SUSTAINABLE, FLEXIBLE AND ABOVE ALL PRACTICAL.”THE EYES HAVE IT - AN ALTOGETHER EXTRAORDINARY POINT OF VIEWCape Town based photographer, Ken Gerhardt, is at last doing what he enjoys most – and in the process making his unique view of the world available to everyone as premium quality, limited edition photographs under the imprint of outsideIN. “My images portray a definite sense of realism,” Ken says. “I’m inspired by nature’s patterns, details, tones and moods.” A respected and highly successful commercial photographer on both the local and international scene for many years, Ken now the landscapes of Southern Africa in their and frequently quirky splendour. Covering an immense range of subjects, and crops makes his collection nothing short His images can be seen hanging in homes not only in South Africa but all over the world, as well as in corporate boardrooms or in banking malls on expansive sheets of glass. The outsideIN website is a showcase of fine art photography featuring the singular vision of Ken Gerhardt. His complete collection of signed, limited edition prints can be viewed and ordered online. For further information contact Ken direct on (082) 413 7629 or at kenphotos@mweb.co.za. www.outsideindoors.comAUTUMN BAKESPUMPKIN, POPPY SEED AND CREAM CHEESE TEA CAKES:Batter Ingredients 400 g pumpkin, steamed and mashed 450 ml brown sugar 4 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten 3 tsp baking powder 3 tbs poppy seed ¾ cup canola or avocado oil ½ tsp salt ½ tsp ground nutmegFilling ¾ cup cream cheese ¼ cup castor sugar 2 tbs of the beaten egg mixture VanillaMethod Preheat oven to 180°C and line a 12-hole jumbo muffin tray with baking paper or use large cupcake cases. Beat the eggs and remove 2 tbs of the mixture and set aside. Drain any liquid of the pumpkin mash and mix with the larger portion of beaten egg and the remaining batter ingredients. Make the filling by mixing the cream cheese, sugar, a few drops of vanilla and 2 tbs of beaten egg until just combined. Pour a little batter into each muffin tin, now add a little cream cheese mixture and top with more batter. Repeat until all the mixture has been used. The tins should be two thirds full. Bake for 30 minutes or until the batter section bounces back when pressed gently.APPLE AND BUTTERMILK TEA CAKESIngredients 125 g butter ¾ cup sugar 2 eggs Vanilla ¼ teaspoon salt 1 ½ cups of flour ½ cup buttermilk 1 tin pie apples 2 tbs brown sugar Cinnamon Method Preheat oven to 175°C. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add a few drops of vanilla essence then add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk and mix until well blended. Spoon mixture into greased mini moulded baking tins. Mix brown sugar with pie apples and add cinnamon to your taste. Spoon the pie apples into the batter, gently pressing them down so that they are submerged. Bake for 30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow to cool before turning the cakes out. Dust with icing sugar.PEAR FRANGI PANE TART WITH GINGER SHORTCRUST PASTRYPastry ingredients 175 g cold butter, chopped 240g of cake flour 50 g icing sugar 1 knob (about 2 cm) fresh ginger, grated 2 to 3 tbs iced water Sift together flour and icing sugar. Add butter and rub until the mixture resembles bread crumbs. Add grated ginger and distribute evenly with a fork. Slowly add water just until the pastry begins to bind when gently pinched between your fingers. Tip it out onto a floured board and knead gently, or use a food processor until you have a ball of dough. Overworking the dough will result in a tough crust. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 30 minutes before using. Spray a loose-bottomed flan tin with non-stick spray and line the bottom with baking paper. Remove pastry from fridge, sprinkle a little flour on your working surface and rolling pin and roll out the pastry until it’s just a little bigger than the baking tin. Gently press pastry into the tin, prick all over and refrigerate for 20 minutes, after which, bake blind by covering the pastry with baking paper and filling the tin with beans. Bake at 200°C for about 15 minutes, then remove beans and paper and place the pastry shell back into the oven for a further 10 minutes or until the shell is dry and pale gold in colour. Set aside to cool. Filling 150 g butter 150 g castor sugar, plus extra for sprinkling 30gm of cake flour 150 g ground almonds A few drops of vanilla essence 3 eggs 3 ripe pears peeled and sliced Flaked almonds and icing sugar to decorate. Method Preheat oven to 180°C. Cream the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. Lightly beat eggs and add egg mixture alternating with spoonfuls of flour and almonds. Add vanilla essence. Spread the filling into the cooled pastry shell and arrange the pear slices on top. Sprinkle with a little castor sugar. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is golden and springs back when gently pressed. Gently remove tart from tin, plate and sprinkle with flaked almonds and icing sugar. Serve warm with a dollop of mascarpone. SYRUPY NAARTJIE AND ALMOND SOUR CREAM SPONGE Ingredients 175 g butter Rind of 2 large or 3 small naartjies or seasonal soft citrus 175 g castor sugar 3 eggs 175g of self-raising flour sifted 3 tbs ground almonds 3 tbs sour cream Syrup 1 cup naartjie juice Zest from 1 naartjie 4 tbs castor sugar Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease an 18 cm spring form, loose-bottom cake tin and line the base with baking paper. Remove the naartjie peel and chop as finely as possible, then add chopped peel to butter and sugar and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold in flour, almonds and sour cream. Pour batter into the baking tin and bake for 55 minutes, or until a thin, sharp skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. To make the syrup, place naartjie juice, zest and castor sugar into a saucepan and bring to the boil while stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat and simmer for five minutes. Remove the cake from the tin while still warm, place on a serving dish and drench with the syrup. Cook’s tip Decorate the cake with naartjie slices which have been sprinkled with sugar and caramelised under the grill for a few minutes. SENSORY DECORATION Andre Kleynhans shares his tips for instinctive style Words by Valentina Gianfranco Photograph by Les Goodman His installations go way beyond shades and shapes to include not only texture, but fragrance and precious memories too. “We experience our space well beyond what we see, and with this principle in mind, almost any interior can be enhanced,” says interior decorator, Andre Kleynhans. As a decor rule, Andre’s point of departure is always fresh flowers “never mixed, though, stick to a single variety, preferably with a lingering fragrance.” He suggests scented candles as well – his current favourites are from Jo Malone at the V&A Waterfront. Pillows in coarse linen add accents of texture like the one pictured here with quirky ‘thumbs up’ jet bead embroidery by De la Cuona, available from Mavromac. Andre brings in an element of instant style and captivating iridescence with vessels in clear or coloured glass, and always includes books – “home is where your books are, so display some of your favourites - preferably with matching- covers,” he says. “I also like to add singular chairs into just about any room and this great re-work of a classic riempie chair, from Brent Van IngenKal, has simple lines and an honesty which defines our emerging furniture design culture.” Andre admits that he cannot resist a bit of nostalgia, hence the antique stag sculpture, and his finishing touch – a glass jar filled with liquorice balls – “They take me right back to my childhood in the Free State.” Be it contemporary, classic, retro with a modern twist or quirky and fun, Andre never strays far from his instincts in refining his client’s taste. “Above all, my rule is to keep it simple, since that’s how it remains timeless,” he says. Specialising in residential décor and the styling of luxury lodges throughout South Africa, Andre Kleynhans Living is based in Cape Town. NIEUWE STEENBERGGREEFF PROPERTIES HAVE SOLD OVER R45 MILLION WORTH OF PROPERTIES AT NIEUWE STEENBERG SINCE DECEMBER 1, 2011. Units are priced from R3.99 Located beneath the Steenberg and Constantiaberg mountains, on an elevated site with gentle slopes, Nieuwe Steenberg has been designed by the multi-award winning dhk Architects. “The design offers a functional balance between the traditional Cape vernacular and contemporary sophistication,” says Director of dhk Architects, Peter Fehrsen. All units are double storey, allowing Nieuwe Steenberg residents to experience a sense of being part of a living landscape of mountains and vineyards, particularly as each upstairs bedroom has its own private balcony. Quality fittings and finishesAt Nieuwe Steenberg, luxury kitchens and the bathrooms boast taps imported from Germany and the sanitary ware is by Gerbirit, a company renowned for their Swiss precision.ExtrasThe lifestyleState-of-the-art security as well as a comforting sense of community will prevail at Nieuwe Steenberg, thanks to a village-like setting with dwellings clustered in an organized, yet loose fit arrangement. Nieuwe Steenberg owners will have access to the Steenberg winery and hotel facilities and will enjoy discounts at Catherina’s Restaurant, Steenberg Hotel, Gingko Spa and at the Steenberg Winery and Bistro 1682.TOSCA DETAILSHair | Skin | Nails 021 671 1830 Palmyra Junction: 021 671 1830 Tableview: 021 557 7879 De Ville: 021 975 8440 Tygervalley: 021 914 1671 Capegate: 021 981 5040 Chelsea Cleaning Services PROFESSIONAL CLEANING OF CURTAINS CARPETS UPHOLSTERY Curtains & Roman Blinds | Repairs & Relining | Persians, Flokatis, Kelims | Fitted Carpets Upholstery & Loose Covers | Woollen Rugs | Fabric Protector CURTAINS CARPETS UPHOLSTERY T. 021 761 1162 F. 021 761 1165 E. info@chelseacleaning.co.za Unit 5 Witkin Building, Corner of York & Lester Roads, Wynberg visit us at www.chelseacleaning.co.zaIncompass forexDON'T GAMBLE WITH YOUR MONEY - UNDER STANDING FOREIGN EXCHANGE PAYS OFFWhat are foreign exchange regulations?Put simply, exchange control governs the transfer of all money into and out of South Africa. It exists so South Africa can control the amount of currency leaving the republic.What effect can this have on the property buyer and seller?When buying a property in South Africa, it’s essential to deal with a currency expert who is knowledgeable on South Africa's exchange control rules. If your funds are not transferred to South Africa following the correct procedures, repatriation of these funds and any profits may be difficult later on. When transferring money out of South Africa, for example when you sell a property, exchange control and tax clearance must be obtained. This is not a formality but rather a process requiring approval before you can transfer your money abroad. Get it wrong and you may not be able to transfer your money out of South Africa, not to mention the poor rates of exchange and unnecessary fees you’re likely to incur in the process. Incompass Financial Solutions has been a preferred provider of money transfer services, cash management and tax advice in South Africa since 2003.CONTACT INCOMPASS FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS T +27 (0) 21 4 24 293 E info@incompass.co.za www.money-transfers.co.zaBOND SAVVYWHY YOU SHOULD USE PRIME PROPERTY FINANCE• Prime Property Finance is Greeff Properties’ preferred bond originator. • All applications are attended to personally by the owner of the business, Kevin Harvey. • Kevin has 23 years banking experience. • Prime Property Finance is accredited by the four major banks. • The service provided is FREE OF CHARGE. • Has an approval rate of 75% to 80% compared with the average statistic of around 50 %.FIRST TIME BUYERS – WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOWIf you earn less than R15 733 per month, single or joint income, currently, some of the banks will consider a 100% loan, including the costs, up to a maximum of 10% of the purchase price. If you earn more than R15 733 per month, single or joint income, the maximum loan the banks will consider is a 100% loan, which means they could lend you the full purchase price of the property, but you would need to have funds available for additional costs such as conveyancing fees and transfer duty, bond registration costs and bank initiation fees. • Get credit worthy! If you have never had a credit card or an account at a retailer, you should open one in order to create a credit profile. This will help the banks to ascertain how reliable you are at settling your debts. • Pay your accounts: It’s vital to pay your accounts either before the due date or on the due date. Late or skipped payments will adversely affect your credit rating. • Run your own credit check: You can use the following links to do a free credit check on yourself – www.transunion.co.za or www.experian.co.za *This option is not available from all banks.SERVICES TAILOR-MADE TO YOUR REQUIREMENTSOnce you have found a property, Prime Property Finance will guide you through all stages of the financing process, so that you need never feel bewildered or alone.WE WILL ASSIST IN• Acquiring a pre-qualification which gives you an indication of the loan amount for which you could qualify, as well as the approximate attorney’s costs, transfer duty, bond registration costs and bank initiation fees. • Submission of the application to the banks. • Negotiation with the banks on your behalf and providing you with regular feedback on the progress. • All of this is done at no cost to you. Kevin Harvey C.E.A. PRIME PROPERTY FINANCE C. 082 445 0637 T. 021 7851461 F. 021 7852482 Fax-to-Email. 086 585 7752 E.BUILDING A HOME - WHERE DOES THE NHBRC FIT IN?NHBRC stands for the National Home Builders Registration Council. It is a statutory body, created in terms of the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act and was established to: regulate the home building industry; protect owners against certain defined defects in building works; and improve standards in the construction of residential dwellings.WHAT THE ACT PRESCRIBESAll home builders are required to register with the NHBRC. Failure to do so is an offence and subject to a fine and/or imprisonment. The home builder has to renew his enrolment certificate yearly and must also enrol the residential dwelling before he can commence building activities. The home builder may also not commence construction if the consumer is not yet the registered owner of the land. An “owner builder” is defined as a person who builds a home for occupation by himself, or any person who is not a registered builder and who assists the owner builder in building his home. An owner builder may apply for exemption from registration with the NHBRC.BANKS AND THE NHBRCIn order to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Act, banks are not allowed to grant mortgage finance to the future home owner if the home builder is not registered with the NHBRC. A homeowner-to-be will therefore be asked to provide the bank with his builder’s NHBRC enrolment certificate when he applies for a bond with which to finance the building works.REMEDIESIf a consumer is unhappy with any work done by a builder, the first step should be to notify the home builder of your complaints within the specified time periods. The home builder must then be given access to the dwelling to fix the problems. If the builder fails to respond to complaints or to honour his obligations, a consumer may lodge a complaint with the Council. If the builder is found guilty by the NHBRC’s disciplinary committee it may have serious consequences, such as a R25 000 fine and/or a one-year imprisonment on each charge. Moreover, in the event that the builder failed to rectify the defects, the consumer may have a claim against the NHBRC fund to affect the necessary repairs. The fund however only covers the residential dwelling itself, drainage systems, garages, storerooms, any permanent outbuildings and retaining walls for certain periods. It does not cover maintenance items, fencing or pre-cast fencing, any temporary structures, swimming pools, tennis court, lifts, any mechanical ventilation or air conditioning system, household appliances, horse stables, workshops, alterations and/or additions. The fund will furthermore not pay for any consequential or economic loss and any costs, loss or liability wherein compensation is covered under a household insurance policy. As such, whilst the NHBRC endeavours to regulate the building industry and provide a cost effective method of dispute resolution, it gives the consumer only a limited measure of protection.For more information, contact the professionals at STBB at info@stbb.co.zaQUALITY PUBLICATIONS CHOOSE A QUALITY PRINTER COLOURTONE ARIES PRINTERS OF CHOICEFor all your printing and packaging requirements contact colourtone aries on 021 929 6700 or email info@colourtone.co.zaCOLOURTONE ARIES print | packaging | display