New rules force conveyancers to disclose referral fees
UK - This is Money
New rules will soon force estate agents to explain their commercial arrangements to customers, as part of a wider campaign to clampdown on kickbacks.
Research has revealed that the vast majority of buyers and sellers choose their conveyancing solicitor as a direct result of a recommendation by their estate agent, according to research from the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
But most of them have no idea the agent then receives a kickback, which can be as much as £100 to £300 pounds a go.
While this might not affect the quality of the work, as a result of this practice homebuyers are often pushed towards a service because it benefits the estate agent, not necessarily because it benefits them.
This is Money
Things to know before buying a heritage home
South Africa -Rawson
South Africa is dotted with historic architecture, from elegant Cape Dutch manor houses to quaint Victorian cottages and Art Deco office blocks scraping the city skyline. For many of us, owning a property that forms part of this collective history would be a dream come true, but that dream brings with it certain rules and responsibilities.
“There are a lot of benefits to owning a heritage property,” says Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group. “They often occupy prime locations, have more space and well-proportioned rooms, feature elegant and expensive finishes and come with a wonderful sense of style and charm.”
Of course, being so unique and precious, it’s important for us to protect and preserve heritage properties for future generations, which means owners often need to accept a long list of restrictions on what they can and can’t change. This, Clarke says, can make a big difference to the ownership experience, which is why he recommends prospective heritage buyers acquaint themselves with the following key considerations.
Rawson
How to get rid of Illegal Tenants
South Africa - IolProperty
Locked out, services disconnected, unannounced visits or withholding rental deposits: landlords are often given a bad rap. But while there are terrible landlords, there are terrible tenants, too ? those who don?t pay on time, damage or fail to maintain property, the malcontents, the bad neighbours, the antisocials.
Arguably, the worst tenant, though, is the one that overstays his welcome once the lease has expired or has been breached. And then stops paying. Which leaves the landlord up the proverbial creek, knowing that they need to incur tens of thousands of rand?s expenses to evict the tenant.
Instead, landlords cut services themselves or lock their tenants out. It?s not legal, nor effective ? because squatting with a roof over your head is better than being out on the streets.
IolProperty
Leave a comment: