Everything you need before the matter moves.
Forms, legal guides and useful reference documents to help you prepare with confidence.
Property Practitioners
A collection of practical resources for estate agents, property practitioners, agencies, and real estate professionals. Access checklists, legal guides, compliance documents, templates, and educational material covering offers to purchase, FICA, PPRA compliance, conveyancing, home loans, community schemes, and other topics that help you navigate property transactions with confidence and stay up to date with South African property law.
FICA Checklist for Property Transactions
Collecting the correct FICA documents from the outset can prevent unnecessary delays in property transactions. This practical checklist outlines the identification and verification documents typically required for individuals, companies, close corporations, trusts, partnerships, deceased estates, and other legal entities. Whether you're a bank, estate agent, conveyancer, attorney, or property professional, this guide provides a clear reference to help ensure your clients meet South Africa's FICA requirements before a transaction begins.
The Conveyancing Process Explained
Understand how a South African property transfer comes together from start to finish. This practical guide explains the three legal processes that usually run simultaneously: bond cancellation, transfer of ownership, and registration of the buyer's new home loan. Ideal for estate agents, property practitioners, buyers, sellers, and anyone wanting a clear overview of the conveyancing process.
Property Practitioner FFC FAQs
Everything property practitioners need to know about Fidelity Fund Certificates (FFCs) in one place. This practical FAQ answers common questions about eligibility, renewals, compliance, trust accounts, principal and non-principal practitioners, issuing authorities, and the legal requirements for holding a valid FFC under South African property legislation.
Sole and Exclusive Mandate Template
An example sole and exclusive mandate agreement for property practitioners. This template illustrates the key clauses commonly included when a seller grants an estate agent the exclusive right to market and sell a property, making it a useful reference for understanding industry best practice and legal considerations.
Dual Mandate Agreement Template
An example dual mandate agreement for South African property practitioners. This template demonstrates the key terms and clauses typically included where more than one property practitioner or agency is authorised to market a property, providing a practical reference for understanding responsibilities, commission arrangements, and seller obligations.
Deeds Office Procedure Guide
A practical guide to the South African Deeds Office process. Learn what happens once transfer documents are lodged, how deeds are examined, common reasons for queries or rejections, and what to expect before a property transfer or bond registration is officially registered.
Title Sectional Title Development Documentation Checklist
A comprehensive checklist of the documents and information typically required for sectional title developments. Designed for property practitioners, this guide helps estate agents collect the information needed from developers and provides conveyancing attorneys with the documentation required to prepare an accurate and legally compliant offer to purchase.
Property Sellers
Resources to help property sellers prepare for a successful transfer. Access practical guides, checklists, and information sheets covering certificates of compliance, transfer requirements, legal obligations, timelines, costs, and other key documents to help make the selling process as smooth as possible.
Certificate of Compliance Guide
A practical guide explaining Certificates of Compliance in South African property transactions, including when they are required, who is responsible for obtaining them, and the different compliance certificates that may apply before transfer.
Property Seller's Handbook
A practical guide for anyone selling residential or commercial property in South Africa. The Property Seller's Handbook explains the sale process from start to finish, including preparing your property for sale, choosing an estate agent, accepting an offer, complying with legal requirements, understanding transfer costs, and what to expect through to registration.
Bond Cancellation Notice Periods & Penalties Guide
Selling a property with an existing home loan? This guide explains why banks require advance notice before a bond is cancelled, when cancellation penalties may apply, how much notice should be given, and the practical steps sellers can take to avoid unnecessary costs and delays during the transfer process.
Property Buyers
Everything you need to make informed decisions when buying property in South Africa. Explore practical guides, checklists, calculators, FAQs, and educational resources covering home loans, pre-approval, offers to purchase, transfer costs, FICA, conveyancing, property registration, and the legal and financial aspects of purchasing a home or investment property.
For Families
Forms, guides and information sheets relating to family law.
Antenuptial Contracts - Information Request Form
Please fill in all the details for us to get started on drafting your antenuptial contract.
Will Information Collection Form
A practical information collection form designed to help you prepare for drafting your will. Gather all the essential personal, family, asset, beneficiary, and executor details your attorney will typically require, making the will drafting process quicker, more accurate, and more efficient.
Community Schemes
Resources for trustees, managing agents, homeowners' associations, body corporates, and community scheme stakeholders. Access practical guides, legal information sheets, templates, checklists, and reference documents covering levy collections, CSOS matters, governance, compliance, meetings, conduct rules, dispute resolution, and the day-to-day legal management of community schemes.
Levy Collections Process & Fee Structure
Understand how VDM Attorneys manages levy collections on behalf of community schemes. This guide outlines the collections process, key stages of recovery, and the applicable fee structure for trustees, managing agents, and homeowners' associations.
Sectional Title Schemes - Exclusive Use Areas
A practical guide explaining what Exclusive Use Areas are in sectional title schemes, the different types of exclusive use rights, how they are created, transferred and cancelled, and the responsibilities, maintenance obligations and common legal issues owners should understand.