A recent article published by BusinessTech highlighted an important High Court ruling that should concern every property buyer, seller, and investor in South Africa. The case involved a property with hidden structural defects that only became apparent after transfer, leading to years of expensive legal disputes. The court ultimately ruled that estate agents are not responsible for uncovering latent structural defects, and the “voetstoots” (“as-is”) clause still carries significant legal weight in private property transactions.
This commentary reinforces why professional inspections from EM Property Inspections are becoming essential before purchasing residential or commercial property in areas such as Springs, Benoni, Brakpan, and across Gauteng.
According to the BusinessTech report, the court confirmed that descriptive marketing phrases like “beautiful” or “excellent condition” are not guarantees of structural safety or compliance. This means buyers cannot rely solely on property listings, estate agents, or surface-level appearances when making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.
At EM Property Inspections, inspections are conducted independently with reference to SANS 10400 best practices, focusing on structural integrity, damp and moisture intrusion, roofing, plumbing concerns, workmanship quality, and visible maintenance risks. Professional inspections help identify issues before transfer, potentially saving homeowners thousands in unexpected repairs and future legal disputes.
The recent High Court ruling serves as a reminder that prevention is far less costly than litigation. Before signing any agreement, buyers and investors should consider a professional property inspection to protect both their safety and financial investment.
Yes. A professional inspection helps identify hidden defects, damp, roofing concerns, plumbing leaks, and structural risks before transfer.
Reports typically include photographic evidence, risk grading, visible defects, moisture concerns, and practical maintenance recommendations.
Professional inspections can identify signs of moisture intrusion, cracking, movement, and visible indicators of potential structural concerns.
Springs, Benoni, Brakpan, Alberton, Boksburg, Kempton Park, Sandton, Pretoria, and surrounding Gauteng areas.
