Gustav Barkhuysen Attorneys

Gustav Barkhuysen Attorneys GB Law is a boutique Law Firm focusing on a personal client service and delivery. Our clients are our first priority.

20/09/2026

🏡 THE KEYS ARE YOURS. BUT IS THE PROPERTY?

Moving into your dream home before transfer? It might feel like you've made it, but there's one important detail to understand.

Occupational rent.

Early occupation can be convenient, especially when you're eager to settle into your new home. But until transfer is registered, you haven't legally become the owner.

Before you move in, make sure you understand:

🔑 What you'll pay to occupy the property.
📋 Who carries the risks and responsibilities before transfer.
⏳ What happens if registration is delayed.
💰 How occupational rent fits into your overall property budget.

Because buying property isn't just about finding the right address. It's about protecting your investment from contract to transfer and beyond.

At GB Law, our boutique conveyancing team helps you navigate the finer details of your property transaction with care, precision and confidence.

🏡 Your property journey deserves a considered approach.

📞 Speak to GB Law before you sign.

💍 December Proposal Season Is Coming. Have You Thought About the “I Do” That Comes After? ❤️You’ve found your person. No...
19/09/2026

💍 December Proposal Season Is Coming. Have You Thought About the “I Do” That Comes After? ❤️

You’ve found your person. Now, as you prepare to build a life together, it’s worth having the conversations that protect the future you’re creating.

A prenuptial agreement isn't about expecting your marriage to fail. It's about being honest about what you're building together, what you're bringing into the relationship, and how you'll look after each other if life doesn't go according to plan.

Because the most loving thing you can do for the person you're asking to marry you is make sure they're taken care of, even if things go pear-shaped. ❤️

🏡 Protect what you're building.
💰 Understand your financial future.
🤝 Have the important conversations.
💍 Start your marriage with clarity and intention.

Planning to pop the question this December? Once the answer is YES, make a prenup conversation part of your journey to “I do.”

📞 Speak to GB Law about putting the right agreement in place before you tie the knot.

Can You Challenge a Deceased Estate’s L&D Account? ⚖️Think something’s wrong with how an estate is being divided? You ma...
18/09/2026

Can You Challenge a Deceased Estate’s L&D Account? ⚖️

Think something’s wrong with how an estate is being divided? You may have the right to object, but timing is everything.

Here’s what you need to know:

⏳ 21 days: The inspection window once the account is advertised.
📝 Written objections: Lodge them with the Master of the High Court, not the executor.
🔍 Valid grounds: Incorrect calculations, omitted assets, or an incorrect distribution.
⚠️ Miss the deadline? Further legal remedies may be available, but the process becomes more complex.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. If you have concerns about a deceased estate, get legal advice early.

📖 Read the full article: https://gblaw.capetown/post/can-you-contest-a-liquidation-and-distribution-account/

From Weather Risks to Legal and Financial ProtectionSo, what happens when a period of extreme drought is followed by int...
17/09/2026

From Weather Risks to Legal and Financial Protection

So, what happens when a period of extreme drought is followed by intense rainfall and flooding? And what could changing weather patterns, including the potential impacts of El Niño in 2027, mean for homeowners and property owners?

While we cannot control the weather, we can take steps to prepare for its potential consequences.

Protecting your property goes beyond having adequate insurance. It also means understanding your legal obligations as a property owner and ensuring that your property documentation is in order.

This is where professional legal guidance can make a difference. From ensuring that property transactions are properly documented to helping you understand the legal considerations associated with property ownership, a trusted conveyancing attorney can help you navigate the legal aspects of protecting your investment.

At GB Law, our experienced property law and conveyancing team understands the importance of sound legal documentation when it comes to your property.

With the possibility of changing weather conditions in the year ahead, now is a good time to review your insurance cover, check that your property documentation is in order, and understand how your insurance and legal responsibilities work together.

For practical guidance on flood-related insurance cover, common exclusions, and steps to take after storm or flood damage, read our latest article in the GB Law Newsroom: https://bit.ly/4cQfFxe

👉 What Property Owners Should Know About Storm and Flood Insurance

Because protecting your property means more than preparing for the unexpected. It means making sure the legal foundations are in place, too.

Think having a signed will means your estate plan is sorted?Not necessarily.Your will generally deals with the assets th...
16/09/2026

Think having a signed will means your estate plan is sorted?

Not necessarily.

Your will generally deals with the assets that form part of your deceased estate. But retirement funds, life insurance policies with nominated beneficiaries, trusts and certain jointly owned assets may fall outside your will and be governed by separate rules.

That means your will can be completely valid, while your overall estate plan may still not reflect your intentions.

So, when was the last time you checked your will, beneficiary nominations and other estate planning arrangements?

For a deeper look at what your will covers, what it doesn’t, and the practical steps you can take to make sure the pieces work together, visit the GB Law Newsroom and read our latest article:

"Why Your Will Is Not Your Estate Plan" https://gblaw.capetown/post/why-your-will-is-not-your-estate-plan/

It could be time to look beyond your will and consider the bigger picture.

🏠 What the airport could mean for Cape Winelands propertyWith construction of the Cape Winelands Airport targeted to com...
11/09/2026

🏠 What the airport could mean for Cape Winelands property

With construction of the Cape Winelands Airport targeted to commence in Q4 2026, Fisantekraal is an area worth keeping a very close watch on.

The airport is being developed on the former Fisantekraal Airfield, but the vision extends far beyond an airport.

✈️ Phase 1 will focus on the core runway and terminal infrastructure.

🏗️ Phase 2, planned for 2030–2035, is envisaged to expand into an airport city, inland port and Agri-zone.

That could create a much broader aviation, logistics and agri-industrial development corridor around Fisantekraal, with potential implications for residential, commercial and industrial property.

The property takeaway?

📍 Fisantekraal could be one of the areas to watch most closely over the next 5 to 10 years.

As major infrastructure takes shape, understanding how development, accessibility and surrounding land use could affect property will become increasingly important.

10/09/2026

🌿 Found the perfect piece of land for your family? Don’t sign just yet.

You’ve found the property. You love the location. You’re ready to sign.

But there’s one important question you should ask first:

Are there any servitudes registered against the property?

A servitude is a legal right that allows someone else to use part of your property, or gives your property certain rights over another property.

And yes, it can affect how you use your land and what you’re able to do with it.

For example:

🔹 Right of way
A neighbour may have a legal right to cross your property to access theirs.

🔹 Aqueduct servitude
There may be a right to channel water across the land.

🔹 Praedial servitude
A neighbouring property may have rights over your land, such as access via a shared driveway.

🔹 Personal servitude
A specific person may have rights to use or enjoy the property, such as a usufruct.

📄 Why does this matter?

Servitudes are recorded in the title deed and can remain binding when the property changes hands.

So before you start planning where the main house, cottage, pool or family entertainment area will go, it’s important to know exactly what rights and restrictions already exist over the land.

At GB Law, we conduct the necessary due diligence to help ensure you understand the property you’re buying before you commit.

Because when you’re buying land to build your family’s future, the last thing you want is an unexpected legal restriction standing in the way of your plans. 🌿🏡

LandForSale FamilyHome FamilyCompound PropertyInvestment PropertyPurchase SouthAfricanProperty CapeTownProperty PropertyLawyer TitleDeed Servitude

It’s always a good day when you receive that email from your conveyancer confirming that your deeds have successfully re...
09/09/2026

It’s always a good day when you receive that email from your conveyancer confirming that your deeds have successfully registered at the Cape Town Deeds Office. 🎉

Another milestone reached, and another happy client! 🏡✨

You’ve just put in an offer on a house. 🏡 The OTP is signed, you’re already planning the renovations… and then you find ...
31/08/2026

You’ve just put in an offer on a house. 🏡 The OTP is signed, you’re already planning the renovations… and then you find your dream home. 😍

Can you simply walk away from the first deal?

Not necessarily.

Here’s what you need to know:

🟢 BEFORE BOTH PARTIES SIGN THE OTP
You can generally still change your mind.

🟢 SUSPENSIVE CONDITIONS
If your OTP is subject to conditions, such as obtaining a bond within a specified period, and that condition isn’t fulfilled in time, the agreement may become null and void without penalty. But miss a deadline and you could face breach consequences.

🟡 COOLING-OFF PERIOD
The Consumer Protection Act provides a five-day cooling-off period for certain property purchases resulting from direct marketing. This generally does NOT apply to typical private or estate-agent-mediated sales.

🔴 OTP SIGNED + NO VALID REASON TO CANCEL
Simply finding a better house doesn’t mean you can walk away. You could be in breach and face:

• Loss of your deposit or liquidated damages
• Claims for further losses
• Legal and bond-related costs
• Potential estate agent commission claims

🛑 NO EASY WAY BACK
If there’s no valid cancellation clause, unfulfilled suspensive condition or mutual agreement to cancel, you can’t simply change your mind.

The safest move? Speak to your attorney or conveyancer BEFORE signing another offer or attempting to cancel the first one.

Get in touch with GB Law
🌐 gblaw.capetown
📩 [email protected]
☎️ +27 (0)21 180 3532

29/08/2026

Renovating your home? Don’t let the excitement of a new kitchen, bathroom or extension leave you with an insurance headache. 🏡🔨

Before the renovations begin, there are a few important questions to ask:

✔️ Does your current policy cover the work?
✔️ Does your contractor have the right insurance?
✔️ Do you need Contractors All Risk (CAR) cover?
✔️ Has your insurer been notified?

A quick conversation with your insurer or broker before work starts could save you from a very expensive surprise later.

🏠 Read the full article on the GB LAW blog:
👉 https://bit.ly/4527Ml4

Address

V&A Waterfront & Noordhoek Farm Village
Cape Town
8001

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+27211803532

Website

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