Latest News & Developments
property rates
Cape Town residents voice concerns over proposed budget hikes
Residents of Cape Town are raising alarms over the proposed 2025/26 budget, fearing that rising property rates could force long-term homeowners out of their homes.
Cape Town residents rally against proposed rate increases with new petition
With the deadline for public participation approaching, the Noordhoek Ratepayers' Association is rallying residents to sign a petition against Cape Town's proposed budget for 2025/26, citing concerns over unfair charges and significant rate increases.
Tshwane's property rates set to surge in 2025/26 financial year
The DA in Tshwane warns residents of an impending increases in property rates due to recent property valuation roll reviews, urging property owners to assess their valuations and submit objections if necessary.
Tshwane's property rates set to surge in 2025/26 financial year
The DA in Tshwane warns residents of an impending increases in property rates due to recent property valuation roll reviews, urging property owners to assess their valuations and submit objections if necessary.
Proposed 9. 9% increase in eThekwini waste management fees
EThekwini Municipality's Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit plans to increase domestic refuse removal tariffs by 9. 9% from July 2025. This decision has sparked criticism from local residents and ratepayer associations, who argue that service delivery issues must be addressed before any price hikes.
How a VAT hike could affect consumer spending and Property markets
Real estate often acts as a hedge against inflation, as property prices have the potential to rise.
Potential increase in VAT could negatively impact property owners
The proposed change in VAT will shake up the property market significantly.
South Africa’s housing crisis: where have all the quantity surveyors gone?
The shortage of registered quantity surveyors in South Africa is causing significant delays and inefficiencies in housing and property development, intensifying the country’s ongoing housing crisis. Discover the critical solutions being proposed to revamp the sector and enhance community living standards.
Can a balanced budget stimulate South Africa's property sector? Expert weighs in
A balanced budget would involve addressing economic growth which starts by stabilising debt to GDP ratio, investment into infrastructure and the recovery plan for Transnet with regards to the country’s freight and ports.
South Africa’s property prices rise, barriers remain for first-time buyers
As South Africa's residential property market shows signs of recovery with house prices rising, experts warn that affordability challenges remain, particularly for first-time buyers. Discover how economic factors are influencing the housing landscape and what options are available to new entrants seeking homeownership.
Expropriation and affordabilty: South African property ownership safe but still tough to get on ladder - experts
First-time buyers are not only facing steeper home prices but banks have also been obliged to adopt a more conservative stance towards credit provision - however despite the expropriation act, ownership still safe.
South African property market hit by growing divide between affordability and access
Added to that, inconsistency of service delivery has imposed additional costs on property owners, who are forced to invest in alternative electricity supplies and water backups, among other solutions.
SONA 2025: Give us clarity on the new Expropriation Act - South African property industry
While land reform remains a crucial national imperative, the new Expropriation Act introduces significant risks that could undermine property rights, deter investment, and create economic uncertainty - Sapoa
Despite crowding, affordability issues, Western Cape still leads uptick in new residential developments
And, retail developments are likely to follow in areas where residential growth occurs, says economist John Loos.
Every cent counts, and the R156 saved on interest rates will help consumers. . . but not everyone thinks so
Academic says no case for optimism regarding the economy’s outlook based on the most recent interest rate cut but property group says it will bring relief.
Eskom’s 12. 7% electricity tariff increase will knock out South Africans’ wins from interest rate cut
South Africans can brace for an electricity tariff increase in April. This means saving of a mere R170 for those owning a R1m home, will hardly make a dent in the pockets of hard-hit South African consumers.
Despite 3 consecutive interest rate cuts, hard-hit homeowners have nothing much to show for them
A saving of a mere R170 for those owning a R1m home, will hardly make a dent in the pockets of hard-hit South African consumers.
eThekwini Municipality faces backlash over ‘severe’ water shortages
Residents of Durban are struggling with severe water shortages, prompting calls for urgent municipal action as community leaders demand accountability
Crumbling infrastructure, deteriorating municipalities, threaten property sector
Speaking to Independent Media Property recently, Neil Gopal, CEO of SAPOA (South African Property Owners Association), said despite recent positive trends in the property market, the ongoing issues at the municipal level threaten to possibly derail the commercial and industrial property sector’s recovery.
Transforming utility billing: eThekwini’s move to digital services
eThekwini Municipality’s Revenue Management Unit is launching an aggressive campaign to register customers for its e-Services platform, aiming to enhance utility billing and communication amidst postal service disruptions.
Minister Nyhontso Urges King Misuzulu to Address Ingonyama Trust Crisis
As tensions rise over the Ingonyama Trust, Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso calls for clarity from King Misuzulu regarding the board's future.
The true cost of borrowing: South Africans are losing their homes due to high interest rates
South Africans are facing increasing financial pressure as high interest rates lead to home losses. This article explores the implications of the South African Reserve Bank's policies and the urgent need for rate cuts
City Power cuts electricity to Midrand body corporates amid R40 million debt crisis
City Power disconnects electricity for multiple body corporates in Midrand due to R40 million in unpaid bills, exposing the ongoing issues of electricity theft and defaulting customers.
Lenasia businesses face power cuts over R60m debt
City Power conducts electricity cut-off operations in Lenasia, Johannesburg, targeting businesses with R60 million in unpaid bills, as the power utility grapples with a citywide debt of R9. 6 billion.
Joburg metro grants over R167m in property rebates for pensioners
The City of Johannesburg has reimbursed over R1 million in property rebates to elderly homeowners, benefiting more than 20 000 pensioners.