Property law and conveyancing in Johannesburg.
A property decision often involves more than signing an agreement. HRA assists buyers, sellers, property owners, landlords and managing agents with transfers, commercial property matters, leases and disputes. Start with the transaction or problem you need to address, and the firm will assess the appropriate legal support.
The initial telephone discussion is free and helps us understand whether the firm can assist. A paid consultation is arranged where appropriate. We aim to respond within one working day after receiving your enquiry.
Which issue brings you here?
Buying or selling
Get advice on the agreement, transfer process and information required.
View serviceA lease or tenant problem
Consider the lease, notices, payment history and lawful options before taking action.
View serviceA community-scheme issue
Clarify whether your concern relates to levies, governance, rules or a dispute.
View serviceA transaction has gone wrong
Discuss a sale dispute, alleged defect, commission claim or related property disagreement.
View serviceProperty services
Residential Conveyancing
Planning a property transfer or choosing a conveyancer.
Property Transfer Costs
Understand transfer duty, conveyancing fees, bond costs and clearance amounts before a transfer.
Commercial Property Law
Commercial premises, property agreements and transactions.
Landlord & Tenant Law
Lease advice and disputes, primarily for landlords and owners.
Bond Registration & Cancellation
Advice on the bond-related aspects of a transaction, subject to applicable bank instructions.
Sectional Title Law
Community-scheme governance, levies and body corporate issues.
Property Disputes
Sale, lease, boundary and property-related commission disputes.
Estate Agent Commission Disputes
Disputed commission, mandates, effective cause and competing claims for property practitioners and owners.
Advice that connects the agreement to the practical problem
A transfer changes registered ownership, a bond step registers or cancels mortgage security, a lease problem concerns occupation and payment under a rental agreement, and a property dispute is a disagreement about one of those transactions or about the property itself. HRA helps you identify which one you are dealing with and the appropriate next step.
- The signed agreement or lease and any amendments.
- Property address, type and the stage of the transaction or dispute.
- Relevant notices, correspondence and a short dated timeline.
- For a scheme matter, the rules, resolutions and relevant account.
- Any approaching deadline you are aware of.
HRA can assist with reviewing and negotiating property agreements, identifying the information a transaction needs, and bringing or defending appropriate proceedings when a dispute arises. Conveyancing and notarial matters can be routed to Abigail Sher, an attorney and conveyancer admitted in 2008 and a notary since 2009.
Where a property issue overlaps with a business, deceased estate or family matter, the firm's wider practice can help identify those connections. This does not mean one process suits every transaction or that legal checks can be skipped.
Before you sign or respond
Agreement
The document and its terms.
Obligations and timing
What has already happened and any deadline.
Appropriate next step
Transfer, claim or eviction are different processes.
The document, what has already happened and any approaching deadline shape the advice. A transfer, a claim under an agreement and an eviction are different processes.
Useful information for an initial discussion
Have the agreement or lease, property details, relevant notices, important correspondence and a short timeline available. For a scheme matter, the rules, resolutions and relevant account may help. The firm will tell you which documents to send and through what channel.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not treat a signed agreement as a template exercise, assume a requested date is a guaranteed registration date, or take self-help action in a possession or tenant dispute.
Attorney authority
Abigail Sher
Attorney, Notary & Conveyancer
Residential and commercial conveyancing, sectional-title matters and notarial agreements.
View profileHugh Raichlin
Principal Attorney & Accredited Mediator
Property litigation and related commission disputes.
View profileNach Investments (Pty) Ltd v Knight Frank South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Supreme Court of Appeal · 16 March 2001
[2001] ZASCA 13
Hugh Raichlin was the attorney of record for the successful Knight Frank party in a property-broker commission dispute. The Supreme Court of Appeal upheld the decision in Knight Frank's favour, finding that the offer it produced was the effective cause of the sale and that commission was payable.
Label: Property broker commission and effective cause. These are selected matters, not a prediction of the outcome of any future case. Advice and results depend on the facts, evidence and applicable law.
Frequently asked questions
Can I contact HRA before signing?
Do you mainly act for landlords or tenants?
Can you quote for a transfer?
Can the firm handle a dispute as well as the transfer?
Related practice areas
From the Insights archive
Who appoints the conveyancer? Your house, your choice
Read articleFeedback on working with Abigail Sher
Selected feedback shared about HRA. Excerpts are labelled. Every matter is different.
“Hi Hugh, thank you very much to you and your team for the excellent professional service provided to us. Especially Abigail who always remain calm and professional no matter how much pressure there was.”
Tommy Steyn
Facebook recommendation
Get advice on the property decision in front of you.
Tell us whether you are buying, selling, leasing or dealing with a dispute. We will identify the next step.