The Property Poser panel has been asked to assist a reader whose complex has instituted a "no pets" policy, which is negatively affecting the sale of her property. The reader owns a sectional title unit, which she vacated some time ago and recently put on the market. She explains that the body corporate has recently decided to disallow any new pets in the complex, as there are currently too many of them. This decision has had a negative impact on three potential sales as the interested … [Read more...] about Pet ban gives buyers “paws” for thought
Columns
Create more of what you want – less of what you don’t
"I am the Master of my Fate. I am the Captain of my Soul" - Nelson Mandela. Wise words by an extraordinary man. Someone who managed to live a life that served as an inspiration to the entire world. He created what he wanted, against all odds, and emerged a peaceful and loving being, despite all the hate, anger and injustice that was projected onto him. How can we begin to live and embody that philosophy of life? What does it really mean to be in charge of your life, to be the creator of what … [Read more...] about Create more of what you want – less of what you don’t
Did you miss World Architecture Day?
Last week Monday, 1 October, was "World Architecture Day". No, I did not do anything special either. I suppose I got distracted and caught up in all the excitement of World Yo-Yo day and the International Tennis Elbow Awareness week. You see, we live in a world where everything is important and Architecture has become one of those many, many important things. But, I wonder, is a world where everything is important not the same as a world where nothing is important? To be honest, I wasn't even … [Read more...] about Did you miss World Architecture Day?
Why adult stem cells are so amazing
Scientists have uncovered an incredible 'secret' held within every human being. It seems that having an abundance of adult stem cells massively improves both longevity and health. What makes these cells so special is their ability to develop into many different cell types. When a stem cell divides, it either becomes another type of cell (e.g. a muscle or brain cell), or it remains a stem cell. These cells act as an internal repair system in all types of tissues, dividing many times over to … [Read more...] about Why adult stem cells are so amazing
Common property rule a violation of privacy?
This week, the Property Poser experts deal with a double dose of queries from readers. The first question concerns a rental deposit, while the second involves the common property in a sectional title complex. In the first scenario, the reader rented a residential property and paid over a deposit. All went well until the reader gave her notice and subsequently vacated the property. The following day, she contacted the landlord to arrange to return the key and get her deposit back so she … [Read more...] about Common property rule a violation of privacy?
Lessons from Yoga – Your Choice in Wasting vs Investing Energy
Practicing Yoga in a conscious and present way is a great way to learn more about yourself and how you interact with and respond to life in general. These lessons aren’t always clear as day but when we begin to let go of the preconceived ideas of what we should be doing or look like in a yoga class and just become very aware of ourselves, our bodies and our response to the practice– as its happening in real time – we begin to be able to draw some parallels with how we respond in life outside of … [Read more...] about Lessons from Yoga – Your Choice in Wasting vs Investing Energy
Why should you drink water?
One of the most important aspects of good health is optimal hydration, so understanding your own water requirements will help you achieve many health benefits, including increased energy and loss of excess body fat. Dehydration has been linked to conditions such as asthma, allergies, depression, diabetes, obesity, high blood cholesterol and coronary heart disease, to name a few. Below are just some of the reasons your body needs water. This list is taken from Dr F Batmanghelidj’s … [Read more...] about Why should you drink water?
Daughter misuses Mother in usufruct swindle
This week the Property Poser panel deals with a difficult mother-daughter dispute, which lies at the heart of a rather complex usufruct scenario. It appears that the mother owns a property in a small town but she is not based near her children. One of her daughters offered to build a cottage for her mother on her property so that she could be closer to them. For reasons not explained, but presumably as a form of payment, the mother transferred ownership of her own property to the daughter … [Read more...] about Daughter misuses Mother in usufruct swindle
The Ten Commandments of a Yogi
Practice yoga – it always comes back to your practice. More problems in your mind and body are solved by simply practicing yoga, than any other means - including thinking, fretting, losing sleep and (low and behold) therapy. Albert Einstein said: we can’t solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created it. Your mind got you into the mess you’re in in the first place. Use your practice to get out of your head and into your body begin to tap the wisdom that rests in there. Be … [Read more...] about The Ten Commandments of a Yogi
The Perfect Body or Feeling Good?
Summer is in the wings. Winter is exiting stage left. In a few weeks the curtain opens to one thing. The Beach! Time to panic. There's nothing quite like that patch of sand to bring out our most fundamental fears. Be it Jaws behind the breakers, finding a parking spot, or doing the pink prawn sun bake, our mind occupies itself with endless possibilities for disaster. And then there's the particular beach creature that strikes fear into the heart of every sun-seeking soul. The Beach Babe! … [Read more...] about The Perfect Body or Feeling Good?
Premium shop space
The Property Poser panel this week helps a reader who is concerned that the rental on his commercial property is unjustifiably higher than that of a similar shop space next door. The reader explains that he is halfway through a five-year lease and recently discovered that the neighbouring premises, which is approximately the same size and similarly outfitted, was recently rented out for 20 per cent less than what he is paying. In nearly all instances, commercial transactions tend to be … [Read more...] about Premium shop space
The 3 Relationships Yoga will teach you about (that could change your life)
Many people think of yoga as dealing with the physical realm. To many others it is so much more, engaging your body, mind and spirit. Whatever your view on this, you will still through your yoga practice begin to learn about three very important relationships. Relationships that transcend your yoga practice or any other physical activity. Relationships that greatly impact and even determine your quality of life. 1. Your relationship with your body There are very few of us who can, without … [Read more...] about The 3 Relationships Yoga will teach you about (that could change your life)
Should you eat breakfast before exercising?
Is it bad to exercise on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning? Apparently not. In fact, there seems to be significant benefit derived from this habit, assuming your choice of breakfast - when and if you do have it - is a good one. A new study suggests that exercising in the morning, before eating, can significantly lessen the ill effects of a poor holiday diet. Researchers recruited healthy, active young men and fed them a bad diet for six weeks. A group of them that exercised … [Read more...] about Should you eat breakfast before exercising?
The Three Headed City Monster
My wife and I missed our evening walk on Tuesday. I decided rather to attend a critical evening meeting at the PE St Georges club. I usually prefer to avoid evening meetings to do important family work and to "veg out" on the couch with my dogs, but this meeting was different. It was one in a sequence of meetings that report back on the work of an exciting grouping of business leaders volunteering their time to what they call "Project NMB". Under the direction of volunteers like Kobus Gerber, … [Read more...] about The Three Headed City Monster
Tenant ready to roast landlord
The Property Poser panel has received a query from a tenant regarding a broken oven in his rental property. The reader says the repairs would be rather costly and asks whether he would be permitted to replace the oven rather than fix it and deduct the costs from his rental payments. Sean Radue of Radue Attorneys in Port Elizabeth says the reader has not made it clear whether this is a typical residential lease scenario or a commercial one. "This makes a difference as the Rental Housing … [Read more...] about Tenant ready to roast landlord
