Parking Disputes and the “Reasonable Neighbour” Test

Parking Disputes and the “Reasonable Neighbour” Test

“Wouldn’t it be nice to get on with me neighbours?” (from “Lazy Sunday” by  Small Faces) Maintaining friendly relations with the neighbours, or at least an “I’ll ignore you if you ignore me” sort of neutrality, has probably been a primary aim of homeowners since the dawn of history. No doubt even our cave dwelling…

Property Sales and Side Deals: Verbal Agreements Don’t Cut it!

Property Sales and Side Deals: Verbal Agreements Don’t Cut it!

“With a verbal agreement you have nothing but air.” (Author and entrepreneur Robert Ringer) 2026 opens with positive signals for our property market after last year’s encouraging GDP forecasts, a credit-rating upgrade, and a series of interest rate cuts boosting access to bond finance. All the signs point to a promising year for buyers, sellers,…

Can You Airbnb Your House or Apartment in a Residential Complex?

Can You Airbnb Your House or Apartment in a Residential Complex?

“Landlords grow rich in their sleep.” (John Stuart Mill, economist) If you are thinking of buying (or already own) a house or apartment in a residential complex with the idea of renting it out as an Airbnb (whether permanently or on an “I can make a fortune this Christmas” basis), tread carefully. A recent High…

Selling Your House This Summer? Get Your Ducks in a Row With This Checklist

Selling Your House This Summer? Get Your Ducks in a Row With This Checklist

“In the summertime, when the weather is high, you can stretch right up and touch the sky.” (Mungo Jerry) Summer’s here with its blue skies, happy holidaymakers from around the country and the world, and, as always, an upsurge in demand for houses. If you’re going to capitalise on this seasonal upswing, start planning your…

Don’t Let Cybercriminals Haunt You this Halloween — Verify, Verify, Verify!
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Don’t Let Cybercriminals Haunt You this Halloween — Verify, Verify, Verify!

“If you suspect deceit, hit delete!” (Online cybersecurity slogan) October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a good time to note that as cybercrime continues to grow, more and more businesses and individuals are falling victim to the dreaded “BEC” or “Business Email Compromise” fraud.  The million-dollar question: Who takes the hit? Typically in a BEC fraud,…

Panhandle Access to Properties – The Mistakes to Avoid

Panhandle Access to Properties – The Mistakes to Avoid

“You aren’t buying a house, you’re buying a lifestyle.” (Anon) As more and more residential properties are subdivided and developed, an increasing number of homes are effectively cut off from direct access to the nearest public street or road. That’s where the “panhandle” comes into play, a narrow strip of land (looking on diagrams very…

Neighbours’ Facebook Feud: Cats Pics, Karens & Keyboard Muppets
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Neighbours’ Facebook Feud: Cats Pics, Karens & Keyboard Muppets

“Dance like no one is watching, but text, post, and email like it will be read in court one day.” (Anon) When can the target of rude comments and insults on a community Facebook group sue? The High Court recently grappled with a community debate over free-roaming jackals that turned sour. The golf estate and…

Your House Burns to the Ground: Can You Hold the Seller Liable?

Your House Burns to the Ground: Can You Hold the Seller Liable?

“Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides.” (William Shakespeare, in King Lear) A recent High Court judgment confirms, yet again, that if a property seller knows about a hidden defect and keeps it quiet, no exemption clause will save them. A loud roar, rolling flames, and a dream home turns to ashes A family thought…

A Bond Clause Deadline Whooshes by and a Sale Dies – Can You Revive it?

A Bond Clause Deadline Whooshes by and a Sale Dies – Can You Revive it?

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” (Douglas Adams in The Salmon of Doubt) Contracts often contain suspensive conditions, a common example being the bond clause in a property sale agreement. The standard bond clause provides that the buyer must obtain a bond by a set deadline, and…