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Government simplifies electrical certificate standards
RodneyHayter.com - South Africa
New rulings regarding the issuing of electrical compliance certificates for residential properties effective from May 1 will simplify the demands made on sellers and buyers of residential property.

Lanice Steward, MD of Anne Porter Knight Frank, says that the regulations had traditionally made it mandatory for the seller of a property to give the purchaser a certificate confirming that the electrical installations were in working order.
Rodney Hayter

Land Registry hikes fees to make ends meet
Finance Markets - UK

A victim of the housing market downturn, the Land Registry is increasing its registration fees for properties in England and Wales.

From 6th July the cost of registering an average first-time buyer property worth £100,000 will rise from £100 to £130.

The fee for a home worth £150,000 is increasing from £150 to £200, while registration of a one million pound residence will cost £550 rather than the current £420.
Finance Markets

Property heavyweight shows bank executives his big finger
RealEstateWeb - South Africa
Banks don't want to lend, warns real estate industry leader after talks with big banks.

Three interest rate cuts since December have failed as yet to have any real impact on the residential market, says Ivan Neethling, Chairman of the Western Cape branch of the Institute of South African Estate Agents. He says the reason for this is the banks' much criticised reluctance to engage with the bond market as expected of them - and as promised, at least by some. Here are his comments:
Realestateweb