YOUR VERGE IS NOT YOUR PROPERTY PARKING PERMITTED OUTSIDE PRIVATE HOMES
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YOUR VERGE IS NOT YOUR PROPERTY PARKING PERMITTED OUTSIDE PRIVATE HOMES
PAGE 3
MANY South Africans continue to find themselves under so much financial pressure that they are forced to sell their homes.
This is especially the case for owners of lower-value properties, who make up more than 20% of property sellers.
Fewer people are upscaling, house prices are under pressure, and homes on the market are taking longer to sell – all signs of a struggling property and consumer market.
The latest FNB Property Barometer, which reflects on the data for the first three months of 2023, shows that 17% of property sales across all values are due to financial pressure. Of this volume, 24.1% of sales of properties valued at under R250 000 is due to money stress. Similarly, 21.3% of sales of homes valued from R500 000 to R750 000 is for this reason.
“Financial pressure-induced sales remain elevated at 17% of
sales volumes in Q1 ‘23, unchanged from the previous quarter,” says FNB economist Siphamandla Mkhwanazi, adding that, at these levels, the prevalence of downscaling is consistent with the historical average of 18% since the fourth quarter of 2007.
“However, financial pressureinduced sales are disproportionately higher in the affordable market segment, with an estimated 22% of sales attributed to financial pressure.”
Although the figure is a “relief” from the 30% seen in the last three months of 2022, he says it nonetheless reflects the impact of the sharp increase in debt-servicing costs, which should have a more pronounced impact on lowerincome households.
Furthermore, any increase in the prime lending rate can have a significant impact on a home loan, other debts, and also one’s overall financial well-being. While some property experts hold hope that the interest rate will remain unchanged next week, most expect it to be
hiked by 0.25%.
With financial pressure a factor for many South Africans, the FNB barometer also reveals that incidents of upgrading have slowed recently, from a peak of 17% in the second quarter of 2021 to 10% in the current quarter.
Time on the market lengthens
Property owners who are selling their homes are seeing them sit on the market for longer. The results from FNB’s estate agent survey suggest that the average time properties are on the market has lengthened to 10 weeks and five days (75 days), compared to 69 days in the last quarter of 2022.
While shorter than the longterm average of about 91 days (since Q3 of 2004), Mkhwanazi says this is the longest time on market since Q3 2020, and is attributed to slowing activity and “stretched affordability”.
“The Western Cape had the shortest time on the market, at 55 days, unchanged from the previous quarter, followed by
Gauteng at 77, up from 69 days in the last quarter. Eastern Cape and KZN saw their time-on-market stretch to 85 days, from 73 days and 79 days respectively.”
House prices continue to drop
The FNB House Price Index’s annual growth decreased in February, averaging 2.3% year-on-year, down from 2.7% in January. Buying activity has also slowed this year, a reality that Mkhwanazi says is a departure from a customary seasonal lift in activity in the first quarter of the year.
“Additionally, agents estimate that approximately 50% of properties on the market for sale now take three months or longer to sell, an increase from 33% in 1Q22.”
Overall, he says, the slowing trend in activity and price growth is consistent with weaker demand, reflecting the impact of higher borrowing and debt-servicing costs.
“In addition, elevated living costs are eroding affordability, particularly among lower-income groups. Indeed, our survey results
show that incidents of downscaling are more prevalent in lower-priced segments. As such, we anticipate house price growth of around 2% this year versus 3.5% and 4.2% in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
“National year-on-year house price inflation, according to Lightstone’s latest residential price index, is 2.51%, a figure that has decreased since early 2021.
“Annual property inflation remained steady in the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga, increased in Limpopo and North West, and decreased in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, the Northern Cape, and the Western Cape.”
The index also breaks down house price growth as at the end of January, by region:
Limpopo – 8.5%
Eastern Cape – 6.43%
Mpumalanga – 6.42%
Northern Cape – 6.4%
Free State – 5.72%
Western Cape – 5.33%
KZN – 4.35%
North West – 3.97%
Gauteng – 2.51%
The past few years of intense financial pressure on consumers, especially
households, is leaving them with little choice but to sell their propertyFewer people are upscaling, house prices are under pressure, and homes on the market are taking longer to sell – all signs of a struggling consumer and property market. PICTURE: JESSE ZHENG/PEXELS
RESIDENTS who live close to schools, retail outlets, or other businesses – or perhaps even have social neighbours who receive lots of visitors – have no choice but to put up with people parking outside their homes.
As frustrating as it might be, the land is a free-for-all when it comes to parking.
This means you cannot place traffic cones or plant other obstructions, such as rocks, greenery, or fencing, to cordon off the area to other people.
Regardless of where in South Africa you live, municipal by-laws seem to be consistent on the issue.
In the City of Cape Town, law enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason says anyone can park in any public place as long as there are no official signs prohibiting this, like “no parking” signboards, or red and yellow lines.
“You are allowed to park in front of someone’s house as long
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as you do not cause an obstruction or block driveways.
“In other words, you must be parked legally. People cannot block a public space by using beacons or anything else to reserve parking or prevent parking.”
Echoing this, Rob Quintas, the city’s mayoral committee member for urban mobility, says private individuals own only the rights to land that is included in the property they own, such as up to the property boundary.
“Land beyond the property boundary belongs to the municipality which administers it to the benefit of the general public… Parking on public streets is open to all members of the public on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to applicable laws and regulations such as time limits or vehicle-class restrictions.”
In addition, Section 2(2) of the by-law relating to streets, public places, and the prevention of noise nuisances addresses the reservation
of public parking spaces, and states that anyone who does so must immediately cease upon instruction of a peace officer or metro police officer.
He adds: “The city does not support the reservation of public parking for any specific business or residence. The only exceptions to this are the hiring of parking bays for limited periods for the purpose of construction activity or the holding of special events.”
In Durban, eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela, says no one, including homeowners and business owners, are allowed to reserve parking anywhere unless they are granted permission to do so by the municipality. For example, hotels can be allowed to reserve parking where there is a demarcated marking for tour buses.
Furthermore, he says all land outside a person’s home, doors or garages, belongs to
the municipality. If an area is not marked as a parking zone, however, no one is allowed to park there, including residents or business owners.
Johannesburg Roads Agency spokesperson Mosa Makhalima says the City of Joburg’s by-laws state that no person may place rope, wire, or pole on, under, or across any public road; or hang, or place anything to restrict parking, without the written permission of the council.
“If any person causes an obstruction on a public road, an authorised official may order such person to refrain from causing, or to remove, the obstruction.”
Just like in other cities, the road belongs to the municipality. For this reason, Makhalima says, anyone can park there, unless the parked vehicle obstructs the entrance or driveway to the property, or parking is restricted. If the vehicle is parked for more than 48 hours without moving though, the property owner has the right to report the vehicle as suspicious.
BOOM GATES AND GUARD HUTS
Another trend that has been seen over the past few years is the erection of boom gates and guard huts in residential streets, for security purposes. However, these are illegal in eThekwini, unless permission has been obtained from the municipality’s roads department, Mayisela says.
In Johannesburg, the city approved the Security Access Restrictions Policy in 2018, and Makhalima says the policy allows for the implementation of a closure if the correct process is followed.
“Communities that are erecting structures without following the process are doing so illegally. Legal structures are mostly those where you can see the city has issued a reference number for the closure.”
Where there is no reference number, he says the closure is probably illegal.
Similarly, erecting guard huts is also illegal, unless permission has been given.
“The placement of any obstruction (guard hut structures) at street corners without the permission of the city is illegal.
The structures may impair the available sight distance at an intersection if not placed correctly. Therefore, this needs permission from the city prior to the placement of the structures.”
Dyason says boom gates and guard huts are also illegal on public roads in Cape Town, unless approval has been received from the city.
The City of Cape Town’s deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for special planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, adds: “The Gated Development Policy does provide guidelines and requirements for retrospective gated developments. It would, however, be unlawful if communities provide booms and gates over public land without first obtaining the necessary approvals from the city.”
Explaining further, Quintas says Cape Town’s Gated Development Policy allows gated communities with restricted access on the basis that all roads behind the gates will be private roads.
“To this extent, the private roads are then managed and maintained by the Homeowners’ Association and restricted access is permissible in these events. These developments are normally defined as part of the initial landuse establishment in terms of the City’s Municipal Planning By-law.” Boom gates and guard huts are permitted under the city’s Policy for the Placement of Security Huts on city-owned land.
“The policy aims to address and accommodate private security needs of neighbourhoods within the City of Cape Town without being in conflict with city infrastructure and to comply with applicable legislation.
“In the case of existing public roads, the security hut policy guides the placement of security huts to monitor movement, but no permanent or physical obstruction such as booms may be placed without the city’s consent.”
He says the city evaluates each application and generally does not allow restricted/limited movement on public roads for security purposes as roads and walkways are there to promote mobility, be it by vehicle or on foot.
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Publisher Vasantha Angamuthu vasantha@africannewsagency.com Executive editor Vivian Warby vivian.warby@inl.co.za
Features Writer Bonny Fourie bronwyn.fourie@inl.co.za Design Kim Stone kim.stone@inl.co.za
Across the country, municipal by-laws are clear on what is and is not permitted on this piece of land
RONDEBOSCH R2,25 MILLION
RONDEBOSCH R2,8 MILLION
RONDEBOSCH R5,3 MILLION CAVENDISH HEIGHTS R2,1 MILLION
ON
ON SHOW SUNDAY 2-5PM
*Devonshire Hill, 13 Grotto Road.
Prime Position! Spacious Two Bedroomed Duplex Apartment with Garage for Sale. Dining Area and Lounge leading to Large Balcony with Views! Fitted Kitchen and Full Bathroom. Walking distance to Schools, UCT, Shops and Transport.
Security Complex Ecklenberg in pretty garden setting. Spacious Three Bedroomed Apartment (200m²) with Stunning Mountain Views. *Kitchen, Dining Room, Sun Room, Two Full Bathrooms, TV Lounge & Laundry Room. *Tandem Garage. *Close to Shops & Transport.
Small Security Complex. Two Spacious Bedroomed Apartment with lounge leading to large Balcony. Fitted Kitchen & Full Bathroom. *Parking Bay. Close to Dean Street Shops, Restaurant and Jammie Shuttle Stop.
Charming Two Bedroomed Apartment (95m²) with Fitted Kitchen open to Dining Room / Lounge and Balcony with views. Full Bathroom and Sep Toilet. **Covered Parking Bay. **Walk to Kingsbury Hospital, Library, Restaurants, Jammie Shuttle, Shops and Transport!
Security Complex in Pretty Garden! Spacious Three Bedroomed Duplex Apartment (115m²) with Two Balconies and Mountain Views! Lounge, Dining Room, Fitted Kitchen (in need of TLC,) Full Bathroom & Guest Toilet. Parking - first come, first serve. *Walk to UCT, Jammie Shuttle, Shops & Transport.
with Kitchenette, Built-in Cupboards and Balcony. Shower Bathroom. Walk to UCT, Jammie Shuttle, Shops & Transport.
ROSEBANK R1,65 MILLION
RONDEBOSCH R1, 5 MILLION
RONDEBOSCH R1,95 MILLION
WHITEHALL COURT R1,35 MILLION
RONDEBOSCH R3,1 MILLION
Spacious Three Bedroomed Apartment (123m²) above the Main Road in pretty garden setting. Fitted Kitchen and Bathroom. *Parking Bay. Walk to UCT, Jammie Shuttle, Main Road Shops & Transport.
Charming Two Bedroomed Apartment with Fitted Kitchen (with built-in Oven, Hob and Extractor Fan) open plan to Lounge and Balcony. Two Bedrooms with Ample Cupboards. Bathroom with Shower over Bath, Toilet and Basin. **Plus Carport. Academic Mile - Walk to UCT!.
Spacious North-Facing Two Bedroomed Apartment with Lounge and Balcony with Mountain Views. Bathroom with Shower over Bath. Fitted Kitchen. *Garage. *Walk to Shopping Centres, Restaurants, UCT and Transport.
Large One Bedroomed pied-à-terre Apartment with Lounge and Balcony & Stunning Mountain Views. 24HR Security Shareblock Complex. Fitted Kitchen. Shower Bathroom. **Garage. **Catering & Cleaning Services. **Walk to Shops, Baxter Theatre and Library!
Charming and Large Modernised Three Bedroomed, Two Bathroomed Apartment with Entrance Hall, Lounge and Balcony. Modern Fitted Kitchen with built-in Oven, Hob and Extractor Fan. Close to Kelvin Grove Club, Newlands Cricket Stadium, leading Schools, Shops and Transport.
CONTACT: RHONDA C: 082 448 7795 T: 021 685 2212 E: RRPSALES@MWEB.CO.ZA / WWW.RHONDARAADPROPERTIES.CO.ZA
R 1 295 000
2 BEDROOMS | 2 BATHROOMS
SPACIOUS APARTMENT IN DIEP RIVER.
2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment in Clarewood, Diep River, a short walk to the station, Martins Bakery and other local amenities, above the railway line.
• Fitted kitchen with electric oven, hob and extractor and plumbing for washing machine.
• Open-plan lounge with parquet flooring
•Two double bedrooms with an en-suite bathroom complete with bath and shower. • Covered Parking bay. • Prepaid electricity
ERF: 1471m2 | HOME: 70m2 | RATES: R 450 p/m | LEVIES: R 1500 p/m
PLEASE CONTACT: Collin Mbiriri on 071 879 8564 or email cmbiriri@gmail.com or mmnyandoro@gmail.com
This magnificent home sits high on our beautiful mountain at the edge of National Parks land and has uninterrupted views across False Bay towards Simon’s Town, the Hottentots Holland Mountains of Somerset West/Stellenbosh and South to Rooi Els as far as the eye can see. Once you enter you almost have the feeling of being on board ship with every room boasting breathtaking views from every corner of the property.
PROPERTY DESCRIPTION:
TOP LEVEL: 1:
3 Garages with direct access double glazing, sliding doors and Euro style open in/tilt windows and doors for easy cleaning with lounge and dining view preserving Luxaflex Blinds. Fantastic entertainers kitchen with views, Luxaflex Blinds, open in/tilt windows, easy access drawer and cupboard systems. Energy saving instant water heaters for kitchen and bathrooms. 3 phase energy supply to enable load balancing and instant water heating. Beautifully appointed entrance, secure and side garden patio, lounge and dining areas with large balcony, 3 x 316 plate stainless steel pillars clad in ALU support sea facing beam.
Low maintenance Rhein Zinc Eave cladding and gutter on main roof. Warranties on main and new garage roofing. Stainless steel recessed gutter on main roof feeds 2 x 6000 litre tanks in large level 3 store
PLEASE CONTACT AGENT FOR ALL VIEWING DEBBIE 073 140 2543 IRENE PORTER PROPERTIES
Duly instructed by the Trustees of the Insolvent Estate of TK and VTZ Khanyile, Master Ref: D53/2020
TENDERS ARE INVITED FOR THE PURCHASE OF A 9-BED DOUBLESTOREY DWELLING FEATURING TWO DOUBLE GARAGES, COVERED ENTERTAINMENT AREA, SWIMMING POOL AND OUTBUILDING
53A HAYGARTH ROAD, KLOOF, KWAZULU-NATAL
The property comprises: lower level: reception area, 2 lounges, study, glass enclosed verandah, O/P lounge and kitchen serviced by a pantry & scullery. Entertainment area with bathroom, billiards room and a fully fitted cinema room & two en suite bathrooms. Upper area: Landing with a fitted office, 5 en - suite bedrooms with a large main bedroom. Further improvements: 2 - dbl garages; covered entertainment area overlooking the swimming pool; Servant’s quarters comprising of 3 rooms, ablutions and an open plan lounge kitchen area
TENDER CLOSING DATE : 12 APRIL 2023 at 12H00 • For further details & tender documents, contact Danielle Hoskins (Candidate Property Practitioner) on 033-3971190 • 082 801 6827 or email danielle@maskell.co.za or visit our website www.maskell.co.za • Tenders are to be delivered in a sealed envelope to JV Hart, Executors of Estates, Unit 1, Block C, 460 Townbush at Cascades, Montrose, Pietermaritzburg, 3201, Attention: Kate Guiot and clearly marked “Insolvent Estate TK & VTZ Khanyile - Tender document” • “Above subject to change without prior notice” “E & O • Sale is subject to confirmation
DOGON GROUP PROPERTIES
Atlantic Seaboard Office 021 433 2580
thekings@dogongroup.com
www.dogongroup.com
RHONDA RAAD PROPERTIES
Cape Town Office 082 448 7795
Email: rrpsales@mweb.co.za
www.rhondaraadproperties.co.za
SHELLEY RESIDENTIAL
KZN
Office 082 412 4463
Email: hello@shelley.co.za
www.shelley.co.za
DOGON GROUP RENTALS
Sea Point Office 021 433 2580
enquiries@dogongroup.com
www.dogongroup.com
DE PLATTEKLOOF
Cape Town 060 960 0100
Email: live@deplattekloof.co.za
www.deplattekloof.co.za
IRENE PORTER PROPERTIES
Simon’s Town Office 021 786 3947
Debbie 073 140 2543
www.ireneporterproperties.co.za
DOGON GROUP PROPERTIES
Southern Suburbs, Claremont Office 021 671 0258
southernsuburbs@dogongroup.com
www.dogongroup.com
PETER MASKELL AUCTIONEERS
KZN
Office: 033 397 1190
Email: info@maskell.co.za
www.bidlive.maskell.co.za
MURAMBI HOUSE
Wynberg Office
murambihouse@telkomsa.net
www.murambi.co.za
Address:
DOGON GROUP PROPERTIES
Western Seaboard
Office: 021 556 5600 or 021 433 2580
enquiries@dogongroup.com www.dogongroup.com
VAN’S AUCTIONEERS
Gauteng Office 086 111 8267
www.vansauctions.co.za
www.iolproperty.co.za
WIDENHAM RETIREMENT
VILLAGE South Coast, KZN 066 306 0669 / 066 306 0612
www.hibiscusrv.co.za
www.widenhamretirementvillage.co.za