Geyser installations are often incorrect An incorrectly installed hot water heater is the most common defect discovered by HouseCheck inspectors in South African homes. These defects can be very dangerous and clearly result when untrained, or un-supervised workers are left alone in the roof cavity to do the geyser installation. Most new geyser installations are […]
Geyser installation Read More »
By John Graham How did consumerism spread so quickly? In this age of instant information, the world is changing at an increasingly fast pace. There is a multiplication factor at work as more and more people communicate through the internet. A trend which once may have taken several decades to become obvious now occurs almost
The Tsunami of Consumerism Read More »
by John Graham With the growing wave of consumerism and the Google generation now starting to dominate the South African house market, the estate agent has to adapt to the changing profile of their buyers. Like the doctor facing a Google-informed patient, the estate agent is now no longer the “guru” – but rather only
Controlling the home inspection process Read More »
By John Graham It is perfectly true that in today’s fast moving world, change is the only constant. People no longer need photographic film – they use digital cameras Amazon now sells more E-books than hard covers and soft covers combined Newspapers are under pressure as people turn to the internet for their information Doctors
How to generate trust with today’s home buyer Read More »
Estate agents who market properties which have undisclosed defects are exposing themselves to considerable risk – both under common law and in terms of the Consumer Protection Act – says John Graham of HouseCheck. Graham points out that estate agents have a professional duty to disclose to potential buyers all material information regarding the properties
Defects expose estate agents to risk Read More »
Everyone knows the old cliché that buying a house is likely to be “the biggest financial decision most people will make in their lives”. However, many estate agents do not take seriously enough their pivotal role in assisting their clients with this huge financial decision, says John Graham CEO of HouseCheck. Graham says that while
For agents ignorance is no excuse Read More »
Right to fair value, good quality and safety Definitions applicable to this Part of the Act 53. (1) In this Part, when used with respect to any goods, component of any goods, or services : (a) ‘‘defect’’ means: (i) any material imperfection in the manufacture of the goods or components, or in performance of the
Property Buyers Rights are stated in Part H of the Consumer Protection Act Read More »
Suing suppliers in court at great personal risk and expense is no longer your only option. The Consumer Protection Act aims to give you as a consumer a range of new rights and protections against dishonesty or negligence on the part of the companies from which you buy goods and services.
Holding companies to account when they breach the Consumer Protection Act Read More »
161 000 properties sold – down 35% on previous year South African property Transfer Guide (SAPTG) analyst, Dieter Deppisch says the South African property market is still very fragile, although showing very slight signs of recovery. “In essence we see the market moving in a recuperative mode. Some pockets of activity are visible but fragility
Property market still fragile Read More »
Sandy Walsh, head of training for the Western Cape branch of the Institute of Estate Agents, has followed up on statements made recently by Prof Henk Delport at a well attended morning conference organised by the Institute recently. Prof Delport, describing certain sectors of the new Consumer Protection Act, as “highly ambiguous and bound to
Consumer Protection Act could make estate agents’ task difficult Read More »
