Relief on Electronic Rates Clearance Front

Early in December 2013 and again on 15 January this year, we advised that the Chief Registrar issued a circular explaining that the current system of electronic generation of rates clearance certificates poses problems with regard to the validity of the certificates, from a legal-technical point of view.

In the first circular issued by the Chief Registrar this year, this position was confirmed and conveyancers were advised that certificates issued in this way will be accepted for registration purposes only until 28 February 2014. Further negotiations have been ongoing and agreement has now been reached with all the role-players on the process and procedure going forward, pending the formal amendment of the relevant provisions in the Municipal Systems Act. The former circular has been repealed and replaced with Chief Registrar’s Circular 5/2014 [1.615KB] which explains the interim measures. This is relief indeed!

Contact your conveyancer should you require any assistance in this regard.

Get more legal updates at www.stbb.co.za