Some confusion regarding an occupancy certificate has led a reader to seek assistance from Property Poser's panel of experts. The reader explains that he received an occupancy certificate from the local council and, based on this, moved into his new home. The homeowners' association in his scheme subsequently sent him a letter advising him that he has to pay a fairly sizeable sum of money as a penalty for taking occupation without an approval letter from them, even though he had already … [Read more...] about Constitution obliges owner to comply with HOA rules
Columns
I’ve got a bit of a thing for cavemen
Quick quiz. How many muscles in the human body? 642! What are muscles designed to do? Move your body. How many muscles are used sitting on the couch? Slightly less than walking the dog around the block. Houston, we have a problem! Our lives, our work, our play, has gotten more and more sedentary these days (only so many can make it as professional dancers, athletes or air traffic marshals). Will we be known as the couch potato generation? Is there an answer? Well, we think it's to hit the … [Read more...] about I’ve got a bit of a thing for cavemen
What’s in your lunchbox?
The dog's barking; you haven't quite finished dressing for that all-important morning meeting; your youngest has lost his toothbrush down the toilet and you still haven't packed any (never mind healthy) lunches for school or work. Aargh! Sound all too familiar? Well, I can't help with the dog, getting you dressed in time, or the toothbrush issue, but perhaps some help in the lunchbox department may help you hang on to your sanity a little longer... So, let's say you've packed your little … [Read more...] about What’s in your lunchbox?
Homeowners’ association versus sectional title
A reader has asked the Property Poser expert for a comparison between property ownership where the provisions of the legislation relating to sectional titles are applicable and where those of a homeowners' association (HOA) apply. Sean Radue of Radue Attorneys in Port Elizabeth says an HOA is typically found in so-called cluster housing. "This is when a development is done on a piece of land with a shared, privately owned open space for amenities. Each owner obtains a separate title deed … [Read more...] about Homeowners’ association versus sectional title
Banting or bust?
I'm a really big fan of Prof Tim Noakes. That he subscribes to my way of seeing things is a good start. Lately though he's been exceptionally good for my business! With him getting everyone Banting (the term used to describe a high fat, low carb diet - get a copy of "The Real Meal Revolution"), I am now - dear reader - perceived in my nutritional work as MODERATE, nearly conservative! Oh joy! Whereas previously I was considered by some as "out there" in my expectations of humankind … [Read more...] about Banting or bust?
Free Breast Course for Nurses
Port Elizabeth’s nursing professionals – community nurses, midwives, nurse trainers and hospital nurses – have a fantastic opportunity to develop clinical skills in breast care and the nursing management of breast problems. And thanks to sponsors Netcare, Carecross and Pathcare, the Breast Course for Nurses (BCN) is absolutely FREE. Cape breast-cancer surgeon Dr Jenny Edge has run this training course for some years in Cape Town, and is now bringing it to Port Elizabeth. The BCN has … [Read more...] about Free Breast Course for Nurses
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 6
“The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn but to unlearn” – Gloria Steinem The previous post in this series dealt with unrealistic expectations, the gradual isolation of the abusive relationship, and the effects of emotional instability. The story of Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp shows how these patterns can play out and how each partner contributes to them and responds to them. As Steinem says, we have learned these ways of being; we weren’t born knowing them and … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 6
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 5
“There may be in the cup, A spider steep’d, and one may drink, depart, and yet partake no venom, for his knowledge is not infected….I have drunk, and seen the spider”. (Shakespeare: A Winter’s Tale. Leontes falsely believes his wife is unfaithful; in reality, his distorted jealousy is the spider’s venom in their love). The previous post looked at controlling behaviour which makes space in a relationship for abuse to become the norm. Part 5 focuses on unrealistic expectations, emotional … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 5
‘Tenant’ used as a dangling carrot
This week, the Property Poser expert follows up on a recent letter from a reader who asked whether she should employ an agent in letting her property. In brief, the general conclusion was that if the agent could expedite the process and provide a service that the reader might not have been able to provide herself, there might be some value in it. The reader elected to use the agent's services, as he was insistent that he had a number of qualified tenants already interested in the … [Read more...] about ‘Tenant’ used as a dangling carrot
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 4
“I’m a reflection of the community“ - Tupac Shakur “What does not kill me, makes me stronger” – Nietsche Following Part 3 of this series on intimate-partner violence, Part 4 looks at controlling – those words and actions which keep the partner in line, often in an increasingly narrow ‘zone of approval’ as time goes on. The controlling partner is always positioned as the one with the power (even if, in reality, this is not the case and both of them know it deep down). Although each … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 4
Will US or THEM look after what we’ve got?
It was a windy, wet Wednesday. The sound of the angry sea crashing over the rocks was not even audible over the noise of the lone excavator as it crushed and smashed the last remains of what was the Seaview Hotel. Like a deranged beast, like an angry elephant, swinging left and right with its devastating mechanical trunk. The once gracious and manicured Minhetti was no more. My son sat in the car, dry from the rain, as I stood by the gate, by the sign "Dangerous - Demolition in Progress". I … [Read more...] about Will US or THEM look after what we’ve got?
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 3
“Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt, Whene’er I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together”. (Robert Browning: My Last Duchess). Browning’s poem is a chilling account of a husband’s jealous rage in retrospect. The widowed Duke is showing the poet a portrait of his late wife that he keeps behind a curtain and expressing satisfaction that she’s now in her place – completely reduced to a piece of property. Never again will any … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 3
Should you employ a letting agent?
This week the Property Poser expert assists a reader who does not have a problem at present but is proactively trying to prevent one. The reader explains that she would like to rent out her townhouse, which is in a sectional title complex, and is considering using the services of an estate agent to make the process easier. The agent has found a seemingly suitable tenant and is pressing the reader to sign the contracts he has provided, namely a mandate and lease agreement. The reader is … [Read more...] about Should you employ a letting agent?
Have your hair done when you not there
“People always ask me how long it takes to do my hair. I don’t know, I’m never there.” ? Dolly Parton When we think of wigs, the picture coming to mind might be something that screams “Diva”. As Dolly herself often says “it takes a lot of money to look this cheap!”Patients undergoing chemotherapy face a dilemma: whether to “go bald” and brave it out with caps and scarves, or cover up with a wig.Tracey Gervais (Wigs@Hair@Tracey’s, Amble In Centre, Main Road, Walmer) understands that helping a … [Read more...] about Have your hair done when you not there
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 2
“These violent delights have violent ends, And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, Which as they kiss consume…”(Shakespeare’s Friar Lawrence unsuccessfully advises Romeo to take it slow). This series is an attempt to explore the story of Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp from the perspective of intimate-partner violence, reflected in the published words of witnesses to their relationship. Although we don’t know how it ended between them emotionally – a matter currently disputed in … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 2
