Property Ownership

Avoid Disputes with Co-ownership of Property

September 4, 2017 in Property Ownership

Buying property jointly with a friend or family member may be appealing but buyers need to take steps to safeguard themselves from being left holding the can financially.

There are all sorts of circumstances in which consumers might want to share the ownership of a property, but they need to tread carefully if they don’t want to end up being responsible for the whole purchase price, says Shaun Rademeyer, CEO of BetterBond, SA’s biggest bond originator.

“We don’t see so many young people clubbing together to buy property anymore,” he notes, “probably because they are tending to rent for longer now and only buy their first home in their mid-30s, by which time we find they will mostly do so on their own or with a spouse or partner.

“But we do still see parents joining forces to buy flats or houses for their children to live in while attending university or college, groups of investors pooling their money to purchase buy-to-let properties, and families that are friends getting together to buy a holiday home in a favorite destination. Sometimes members of an extended family will also jointly buy a property such as a smallholding that contains several separate dwellings.

“And many of these buyers do take the trouble to get an attorney to draw up a very detailed co-ownership agreement before coming to us to apply for a home loan.”

However, he says, the major point that many prospective buyers in this situation continue to miss is that no matter how they split up the shares in the property, or what they agree on between themselves with regard to maintenance, occupation or income from the property, their agreement will have no effect when it comes to third parties such as banks or municipalities.

“For example, although the share of the property that is owned by each purchaser can be stipulated in the title deed and registered in the Deeds Office, the bank that grants the home loan will always want both or all of them to sign that they will be ‘jointly and severally’ liable to repay that loan.

“This means that the bank is entitled to recover the debt from all of the debtors in proportion to their shares, or if necessary, to recover the whole amount from any one of them. So if one co-owner should fall on hard times or stop paying for any other reason, the others will be required to make up the difference.

“Alternatively, if they don’t bridge the gap and the loan then falls into arrears, the bank will be entitled to ‘call up’ the debt and demand that all of them – or just one of them – settle the full amount owing or risk having the property repossessed.”

Similarly, the local authority is not going to be interested in who owns what percentage of the property if the rates or the water and electricity account falls into arrears because one of the owners didn’t pay their share. “It will simply sue all the owners for the debt and in the meanwhile probably cut off the power, which will discomfort those who have paid just as much as the owner who did not.”

So the message, he says, is to be extremely cautious about who you decide to go into joint ownership with – and also to remember that the share you own will be an “undivided” share, which means that you will have responsibilities with regard to the whole property and not just a particular portion that you might occupy.

“We also believe that professionally drafted co-ownership agreements are essential, even if they don’t safeguard you against non-payment by a co-owner. For example, if there is no agreement stipulating the share breakdown, it will be presumed in law that they acquired the property in equal shares and that is what will be registered at the Deeds Office.”

On the other hand, buyers should know that if they have a 60% share of a jointly owned property, it does not mean that they own a larger part of the property. It does mean that they will pay 60% of the purchase price and costs of buying and operating the property – and get 60% of any income or profit from the lease or the sale of the property.

“It is also vital that the co-ownership agreement spells out what will happen if the owners decide to go their separate ways. Problems can and do occur if one co-owner wants to sell but the others do not, or if a co-owner dies, for example. So it could be agreed that if someone does want or need to sell, the remaining co-owner or owners will have the first option to buy his or her share – but also that if they choose not to do so, the whole property has to be sold and the proceeds divided according to the original shareholdings.

“In short, deciding to buy a property with someone else should not be an impulsive decision, because the long-term financial consequences can be very serious.

Source: Property24.com

5 dangerous property myths debunked

April 3, 2017 in Property Ownership

When selling your home, there are some common misconceptions that could end up losing you money. Here’s what to avoid.

When you’re told something often enough, ten to one you’re going to end up believing it. However, no matter which way you twist and turn things, a myth is something that has no evidence to support it, and is merely a story that’s been repeated so often that people regard it as fact. Sadly, when it comes to property the most common myths can end up hurting your pocket.

Myth number one – you’ll always make more money if you sell the home yourself.

This is a tricky one because while there may be sellers who have managed to save money by selling directly, there are also those who have lost money because they weren’t fully versed in the ins and outs of selling property. It may well be fair to say that those who buy and sell on fairly regular basis are more than able to sell a home and make a handsome profit, but novices need to weigh up all the pros and cons very carefully before taking what could turn out to be a costly leap into the unknown. Agents generally have a database of buyers who are actively looking for property. It could of course be argued that the Internet ensures that anyone looking for a home in your area will see your advert. However, finding someone who is interested in buying is only part of the process and the fact that estate agents qualify buyers before they start showing them properties essentially means you are assured that every buyer the agent brings around can actually afford to buy.

On another note, buyers should be aware that some who opt to sell privately will incorporate an agent’s commission into the deal even when there isn’t an agent in sight.

Myth number two – you know the true value of your home.

Sellers get caught in this trap all the time and the truth of the matter is unless you are intimately involved in selling property in the area in which you live, you probably have no idea of its true worth. Emotions don’t belong in business and when you sell a property you have to view it as a business transaction. It doesn’t matter at what price other homes in the area are being marketed, the only thing that counts is the eventual selling price of that home. Likewise, it is of no consequence how much you still owe on the home – buyers want the best deal possible and are unlikely to pay a premium simply because they feel sorry for you. It’s a far safer option to ask estate agents to value your property before putting it on the market. Ask at least three agents from different companies to give you an idea of how much you can realistically expect for the home and price the property accordingly.

Myth number three – estate agents will always under-value a home because they want to make a quick sale and pocket the commission.

Think about this logically. Agents earn less commission when they sell a lower priced property and for this reason are highly unlikely to market a home below its true value. The quickest and easiest way to get around this is by asking various agents to value the home using a comparative market analysis to back up their findings.

Myth number four – voetstoots – I can sell the house as is and the buyer has no comeback.

This is one of the more dangerous myths and is totally untrue. The voetstoots clause does mean that the home is sold ‘as is’, however this does not mean a seller can try to con a buyer by hiding or neglecting to mention patent or latent defects. The law reports are littered with cases of this nature and when it can be proven that a seller was aware of an issue, but either lied about it or chose to cover it up, that seller has been held responsible for the repairs.

Myth number five – I love the way my home looks and so will potential buyers.

Remember that tastes differ and while you may dote on your antique doll collection housed in 15 display cabinets around the lounge, buyers might not be as enthusiastic and could overlook your property for something less cluttered. Likewise, just because you simply adore your lavender and gold paint job in the master bedroom, buyers may prefer to look elsewhere for something a little more traditional.

Source: https://www.privateproperty.co.za/advice/property/articles

Low Levies Not Always a Good Thing

May 3, 2016 in Property Ownership

When buyers are looking to purchase a unit in a sectional title scheme, one of the first questions they will ask is, “What will the levy payment be each month?”.

When looking to buy, the financial health of a scheme should be assessed carefully. Ask the agent for copies of the financial statements and check whether the levies are being put to good use.

Buyers tend to compare the costs of different apartments and rate them according to how high their levies are, but this can be a dangerous approach as a low levy is not necessarily a good thing.

Some people looking at higher-end luxury apartments or housing estates are often horrified at the levies being charged, but they need to sit down and do the exercise of calculating what it costs to live in a full title house with all the extras such as water, electricity, gardeners, garden maintenance, swimming pools, landscaping, electric fencing, a security guard at the gate, gymnasium, and so forth.

In our experience, people are often taken aback by high levies, but if all of the incidentals are added up, it is easy to see why this might be necessary. The benefit of this is that a buyer will have all of the extras and only pay a portion of the cost of running these each month.

One must remember that the levy includes all the external maintenance of the building, the upkeep of the lifts if there are any, the gardens, the communal property, the gates, security, and much more.

An apartment block might have low levies because the body corporate has not done the necessary financial planning for the year ahead, and this can lead to special levies having to be raised later in order to get much needed repairs or maintenance done.

A low levy could also mean that certain things are being neglected because there are no funds available to carry out the repairs.

This is of particular importance when looking to buy into an older block where more maintenance might be necessary, and where replacement of certain large budget items, such as a lift or roof, might be needed down the line.

When looking to buy, the financial health of a scheme should be assessed carefully. Ask the agent for copies of the financial statements and check whether the levies are being put to good use.

The banks will also ask for these if the buyer is applying for a bond, so it’s best to check beforehand and be sure that you’re buying into a financially sound scheme.

Source: www.property24.com

Are Homeowners Now Liable for Past Rates and Taxes?

March 2, 2016 in Property Ownership

On 29 January 2016, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in a matter that has caused significant concern within the property industry when it comes to liability for historical debt incurred by a previous owner of a property in respect of municipal rates.

Snyman says the recent court ruling may have repercussions for the property industry, but particularly sellers and buyers who are forced to rethink their own potential risk and liability that accompanies owning or buying a property.

While the view of the courts in the past has been that current owners are not liable for historical municipal debt, the recent court case of City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality vs PJ Mitchell (38/2015) [2015] ZASCA 1, which was heard on 29 January 2016, reconsidered this. In its judgment, the honourable court held that, in certain limited circumstances, it is possible for municipalities to hold new owners liable for a previous homeowner’s historical municipal debts.

This is according to Jansen Snyman, Founding Director of Snymans Inc., who says this ruling may have repercussions for the property industry, but particularly sellers and buyers who are forced to rethink their own potential risk and liability that accompanies owning or buying a property.

In addition, he says attorneys will need to consider the potential risks and consequences when attending to the transfer of a property, and banks may find themselves at additional risk with their security being affected through municipal debt attached to a property constituting a higher ranking priority claim against such bonded property.

Although this news may seem alarming at first, Snymans Incorporated urges all involved in the property industry to act cautiously, but not to spin into an unnecessary panic.

“Our advice has always been: make sure, by verification of the relevant information provided that all municipal debts have been paid in full before a property is transferred,” says Snyman.

“This includes debts relating to obtaining a rates clearance certificate in terms of Section 118(1) of the Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000, and all historical debts in terms of Section 118(3) of the same Act. While this requires careful scrutiny of the rates clearance figures provided prior to transfer, it will minimise the risk of being faced with this dilemma.”

He says it is also worth noting that while judgment was handed down by the Supreme Court of Appeal, the matter and therefore the consequences for the property industry, will be subject to further consideration.

On 22 February 2016, the Constitutional Court was presented with further arguments on the matter, which may result in the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal being upheld, or the decision of the court being overturned, thus reinstating previous case law to the effect that a previous owner cannot be held liable for historical municipal debt incurred by a previous owner.

According to Snymans Incorporated, it is advisable for buyers to amend the offer to purchase to indemnify themselves against historical debt, bearing in mind that the current prescription period for arrear water and electricity debt is three years, and that for rates is 30 years.

However, it is possible that, pending the outcome later this month, the local authority may still be able to proceed with a claim based on the new Supreme Court of Appeal precedent.

While the judgment, currently in force by the Supreme Court of Appeal, states that liability will only be applicable in certain limited circumstances, there is not yet clarity as to what constitutes an appropriate circumstance for this, says Snyman.

“As such, Snymans Incorporated recommends a cautious ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach to situations regarding historical municipal debt on properties, particularly should the judgment survive the scrutiny of the Constitutional Court,” he says.

Source: www.property24.com

Gas regulations home-owners should know

November 21, 2015 in Property Ownership

The rapidly increasing cost of electricity has resulted in a growth in popularity among many South African home-owners to utilise gas installations in their homes. However, most homeowners are unaware that there are specific regulations that they must comply with when installing gas equipment in their homes to ensure their insurance policy remains valid.

According to the regulations that were introduced in 2009, all gas installations must have a Certificate of Conformity according to the Pressure Equipment Regulations that have been promulgated under the Occupation Health and Safety Act (No 85 of 1993).

While this may sound like a complex, legal document – essentially it is a certificate that states that the installation has been properly inspected and is determined to be safe and leak free. It is critical that this certificate is also issued by an authorised person who is registered with the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association of Southern Africa (LPGAS).

According to the regulation, any home-owner who has a liquid gas installation installed in their home must have this certificate, which is usually obtained during the installation phase. However, all home-owners considering gas installations need to know that the onus is on them, the homeowner, to ensure that they have this certificate in their possession, not the installer.

If your home is damaged or destroyed, as a result of a defective gas appliance – and you do not have a valid certificate issued by someone registered with LPGAS – the insurance implications could be significant. An insurance company would be well within their rights to repudiate a claim, which could have severe financial repercussions for the home-owner.

Having the installation inspected and approved is a quick and easy process – provided the installation has been done correctly – much in line with similar requirements for electrical installations, which also requires a certificate of compliance under the Machinery and Occupational Safety Act of 1983.

The types of gas installations that require this certificate include gas fires or braais, gas stoves and ovens, as well as hot water systems. It is vital for all home-owners to realise that such an inspection is not just essential for their insurance policy to remain valid, but even more importantly, that it is conducted to ensure that the installation is safe and their family is not put at risk. If a gas appliance has been incorrectly installed and results in a gas leak this could have major health implications for a family, not to mention the huge danger involved of an explosion.

It is also important for homeowners to know that if they wish to sell their home and they have a gas appliance installed, they are required to obtain the certificate and deliver a copy thereof to the new purchaser.

Regulations for gas installations:
Gas bottles may not be installed:
• Less than 1 metre sideways from doors and windows
• Less than 2 metres from drains and air vents
• Less than 3 metres below windows (unless a non-combustible roof is installed)
• Less than 1 metre from the property boundary wall (unless it is a fire wall)
• Less than 5 metres sideways away from a switchable electric point or plug switch;
• Light bulbs cannot be less than 1.5 metres above a gas bottle.

Other installation rules:
• Only class 1 or 2 copper pipes, or other approved gas piping, may be used (Note: This is not the same copper piping as used by plumbers)
• Copper pipes going through a wall must be sleeved
• Approved flexible gas hose may not be more than two meters long and may not go through any partition (including wood, dry wall, cupboard wall etc)

LPGAS provides the following useful tips regarding gas safety:
• Always use a registered installer
• Always use a qualified gas dealer
• Always use a verified and tested gas product
• Always check the seal on a cylinder matches the brand of the cylinder
• Always check gas appliances before use

If you suspect your gas appliance is unsafe it is best to turn the appliance off immediately and do not touch it until it has been checked by a registered gas engineer. Open all the doors and windows to air out the room and ensure you have shut off the gas supply at the meter control valve.

To ensure your gas installations are always in top working order ask a registered gas installer to perform an annual maintenance and service check.

For all homeowners with gas installations already installed on their property or if for those planning on doing so in the future it is vital to ensure compliance with all the above regulations not only to ensure you adhere to stipulations within your home owners insurance policy but to also make sure you and your precious family are safe from any gas related disasters.

Source: www.privateproperty.co.za

Get your garden spring ready

September 1, 2015 in Property Ownership

springSpring is in the air! Trees are blossoming, delicate green leaves are beginning to make an appearance, nests are being built and the days are getting longer. Spring is always welcome, particularly after a hard, cold winter. It also happens to be the best time of year to get stuck back into the garden and get it ready for the warmer months. No matter how big or small your garden is, the following are a few gardening ideas for making the most of it this spring.

Give your lawn a spring makeover

Your lawn will probably need quite a lot of attention after winter. Frost, dry air, hungry birds (and possibly snow) can wreak havoc on a lawn and leave it looking dead, ugly and even bare in some areas. One of the first things to do to improve your lawn after winter is sweep away any dry, dead leaves which can block the sun from reaching it. Once your lawn is clear of leaves, carefully spread a layer of top soil over the grass, water it profusely and re-seed areas which have died off. Not only does top soil give your lawn a boost, it improves drainage and drought resistance and reduces the need for supplemental fertilisers.

Spring clean your spring garden

It’s hard to stay involved with your garden during the winter months due to the cold and the fact that there’s not much going on growth wise. Chances are piles of leaves have accumulated around your garden, weeds have sprouted where they shouldn’t have and certain plants have died off entirely. August is the time to give your garden a proverbial spring clean which will pave the way for the warmer months. Start by raking up old plant litter and debris, de-weed where necessary, prune or remove any dead vegetation and start preparing your beds for new plants. While you’re preparing your garden, don’t forget to fill up the bird feeder too as many birds will need extra nourishment for the breeding season.

Plan ahead

iStock-4874324_container-garden-wheelbarrow-flowers_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462Once you’ve prepped your lawn and cleaned out your garden you can begin to take stock and decide exactly what you want to do with your garden and what you would like to get out of it. Perhaps you are happy with the existing layout. Perhaps you feel a change is necessary. Maybe you would like to install a water feature, add a braai area or start a vegetable garden. Whatever you decide to do, plan well in advance before implementing changes as you could end up making expensive mistakes which could also ruin your garden.

Choose the right plants

According to those in the know, there are certain plants and flowers which do better in certain parts of the country at this time of year.

For instance, in Limpopo, gardeners should plant celosia, snapdragons and marigolds. In the Eastern Cape, now is the time to plant amaryllis, pineapple lily, begonia, geraniums and marigolds. In the Western Cape, pincushions, clivias and chamelaucium are the way to go. Colourful daisy varieties are recommended for gardeners in Mpumalanga while marigolds, cosmos, sunflowers and cleomes are but a few of the plants which will do well in Kwa-Zulu Natal gardens. In the Free-State, it’s prime time for roses and pelargoniums.

If vegetables are your thing, now is the time to start planting beetroot, baby marrows, carrots, parsley, rhubarb, runner beans, sweet corn and pumpkins amongst many other summer type vegetables.

If you are unsure about which plants, vegetables and/or flowers you should plant in August, simply speak to your local nursery which should be able to guide you accordingly. Lastly, it’s always a good idea to try as far as possible to plant indigenous plants and ensure that they are well watered.

Source: www.privateproperty.co.za

7 Energy-saving tips for homeowners

June 6, 2015 in Property Ownership

During the colder months households generally tend to use a lot more energy and resources trying to stay warm and often have to pay the associated costs. However, whether homeowners are hoping to ease some of their impact on the environment or just want to save some money, there are ways that they can reduce their energy usage while still keeping the elements at bay.

Energy Saving Tips Finding ways of conserving electricity will lower the winter monthly expenses.

Saving on energy usage is cutting down on electricity usage. Finding ways of conserving electricity will lower the winter monthly expenses. This may require an initial marginal investment on the homeowner’s part in improving the home’s energy efficiency, however, the financial benefits will far outweigh the initial cost in the long term.

Here are some energy-saving tips for homeowners:

1. Make sure that the home is properly insulated

If homeowners are spending money to warm up their homes, the last thing they need is for the heat to be able to escape and be wasted. While windows that don’t close properly are a potential problem that should be addressed, because warm air rises, a large portion of the heat escapes through the ceiling. Approximately 50 percent to 80 percent of the home’s heat will dissipate through a poorly insulated ceiling. Proper insulation in the ceiling can reduce heat loss to just 3 percent.

Ceiling insulation should be the only insulation required considering our South African climate. However, it is still vital to check whether there are other areas in the home that may require some attention.

2. Use the sun

The sun is a great source of free heat and should be the primary focus of temperature control in the home throughout the year.

Just keeping curtains open during the day can bring a lot of heat into the home and the best part is that it doesn’t cost a cent. Closing curtains or blinds when the sun goes down will assist in keeping the heat inside and maintaining the warmth.

3. Geyser regulation

There is nothing better than a hot shower or bath during winter, but the geyser is the most energy-hungry appliance in a home. The geyser is responsible for approximately 40 percent of a home’s monthly electricity usage.

A simple but highly effective way of saving on costs is by turning the geyser off during the day when it is not needed. The geyser can be switched on for certain hours each day to allow for it to be heated when necessary. Adding a geyser blanket will also help the geyser to retain the heat of the water for far longer so less heating time is required. If the homeowner is prepared to invest in an automated thermostat, this could also reduce costs by digitally regulating the temperature and controlling how long the geyser stays on for.

Alternative methods of heating water can be explored such as the installation of solar panelling; however, again this may mean an initial outlay but will save a lot of money over the long term.

4. Only heat the rooms in use

A lot of energy is wasted on heating areas in the home that are not in use, such as guest rooms. Close doors to rooms that are not in use and redirect the heat and flow of the air to the regions of the home that require it. It is far quicker and easier to heat up a smaller space, so energy usage can be vastly reduced by focusing the heat in specific rooms.

5. Add an extra layer

Possibly the easiest way to stay warm without adding any expense or energy usage is by adding an extra layer of clothing. Instead of pulling out the heater or adjusting the home’s heating, why not put on a cosy winter jersey and some winter socks. A rug will add insulation to the floor and colourful throw blankets on the couch will help keep homeowners warm while adding to their décor. Also consider investing in winter bedding such as flannel sheets and a warm comforter for the bed before opting for an electric blanket during these cold winter nights.

6. Energy-efficient light bulbs

Most homeowners may have already changed the light bulbs in their houses to compact florescent light bulbs (CFL) or light-emitting diodes (LED) light bulbs – if not, then now is time to do it.

Either of these options can reduce costs as they use at least 75 percent less energy than the traditional incandescent bulb and can last longer. Certain energy-efficient light bulbs have been known to last as long as 35 times longer than a regular bulb. This helps homeowners to save on energy costs as well as the costs of replacing bulbs more frequently.

While the energy-efficient bulbs omit the same amount of light as a regular bulb, they use less wattage to do so, which means they don’t get hot and can stay on for longer periods. For this reason, they are particularly effective in areas where lights are kept on for longer than three hours. Creating less heat also means that energy efficient bulbs reduce the household pollutant output in the environment.

7. Add moisture to the air

During the winter months the air inside a home can often become dry. Moist air not only feels warmer but also retains heat far better as well. Adding a humidifier to a room can help the occupants feel warmer and more comfortable during the colder months. A collection of house plants is also another way of increasing a home’s humidity, without using any energy at all.

The rising cost of electricity and worldwide depletion of resources has made many more homeowners conscious of energy efficiency. Following these energy-saving tips can assist homeowners in curbing their monthly winter costs while also partially eliminating their home’s impact on the environment.

SOURCE: http://www.property24.com/articles/7-energy-saving-tips-for-homeowners/20139

Does Your Home Comply With Building Regulations?

May 21, 2015 in Property Ownership

building regulationsNot ensuring your home complies with building regulations could cause issues when you put it up for sale.

A recent judgement handed down by the Western Cape’s High Court has highlighted the importance of making sure that the improvements on your property comply with national and local building regulations.

It could cost you a lot of money if they don’t.

In the case before the court (Allen v Scheibert (14136/2010) [2015] ZAWCHC 37), the seller of a property signed a guarantee that stated that alterations done to the buildings had been approved by the local authority – but the buyer discovered after the sale had been concluded that a second dwelling on the property hadn’t been approved, and that it was therefore illegal. She sued, and the court found in her favour – and she was awarded more than R 217,000.

 

ARCHITECT’S EXPERIENCE

Nick Brits – a principle at Gauteng’s Evolve Architects (www.evolvearch.co.za) – has recently had personal experience of buying a house for the first time.

“When we began negotiating, I asked the seller to provide us with a copy of the title deeds and a set of plans from the local authority so that I could make sure that there were no contraventions of things like building lines and servitudes, zoning, coverage, and density,” he said.

“It’s also important to look at the town planning scheme so that you understand the stipulations for your area, which could cover things that wouldn’t come up in the title deeds – like the maximum heights of roofs.”

Nick said that when he first saw the property, he noticed that a store room had been built next to the boundary.

That immediately rang alarm bells, because it stood outside the 2.5 metre building line – so there would have to have been an application for a building line relaxation.

 

SELLER PREPARE

If you want to sell your house, it’s a no-brainer. The process of negotiating the sale is bound to be quicker and easier if you make sure that you have all your compliance certificates in place, and also that you have up-to-date, approved plans for all buildings, swimming pools, and other improvements that require planning permission.

As far as plans are concerned, your local council needs to have a record of the buildings as they stand, and it’s your responsibility as the seller to make sure that the buildings and plans are compliant.

If you don’t have approved plans, you’re going to have to employ an architect or draughtsperson (in other words, a planning professional registered with SACAP The South African Council for the Architectural Profession) to amend your existing plans, or draw up a new set, and submit them to the local authority for approval.

And if you’re a potential buyer, we recommend that you use the services of a home inspection service who’ll make sure that all the property’s compliance certificates are in place, and that the buildings and plans are legal.

 

SOURCE: www.privateproperty.co.za

Easy Ways to Have a Gorgeous Garden

August 8, 2014 in Property Ownership

garden 1There are more than a few homeowners that love to have a striking garden, but don’t like the time consuming activity of gardening.

Indigenous plants, cacti and succulents require little care and attention yet provide year-round foliage and colour for the modern garden. Having a beautiful garden to look at or lounge in can be hard work, but for those who don’t have ‘green fingers’ there are plenty of ideas to create a gorgeous garden without putting much effort.

These days, gardens can be high style and low-maintenance at the same time. Indigenous plants, cacti and succulents require little care and attention yet provide year-round foliage and colour for the modern garden.

The term ‘retro’ can find itself on the fashion catwalks, indoor décor and even motor cars. And yes, it has found its way into gardens too! Succulents, with their funky shapes, textures, colours and eye-catching forms, have made a striking comeback, minus their 1960s-style rockeries though.

garden 2

Their resurgence in popularity is probably due to a number of factors:

– They are slow growing and need minimal care and watering (being extremely water wise plants), so there is no need for excessive maintenance in today’s fast-paced world.

– Most succulents’ clean lines, striking forms and dramatic silhouettes fit into today’s modern and simple styles of homes and décor.

Much like wearing jewellery, succulents are even more eye-catching if paired with accessories.

– The increased interest in indigenous plants and the environment means more attention is focused on many of our unique South African aloes and succulents.

– Most succulents tolerate extremes of climate like baking sun, strong winds and even frost, so they are very adaptable and easy to grow.

 

Follow these tips for using Water Wise succulents in your garden:

Grouping – Group or mass the same succulent for the best effect.

This is a simple tool for the low-maintenance gardener, who wants the greatest impact with the least amount of work.

Repetition – Repeat the same plant in the same pot to create a striking feature.

This could be in small, low bowls with echeveria (succulent roses) on a window ledge, or huge modern pots with aloes or euphorbia.

Contrast – The succulent world has an amazing array of different textures and colours.

garden 3

Most succulents’ clean lines, striking forms and dramatic silhouettes fit into today’s modern and simple styles of homes and décor. Smart gardeners will combine contrasting succulents to add extra interest to their gardens. Spiky, toothed, spongy, and rounded shapes or foliage of gold, copper, silver, bronze, red, green etcetera can be appealing.

Simplicity – The simple shapes and forms of many succulents lend themselves to being used as focal plants in minimalist landscapes, window boxes and pots.

Accessorise – Much like wearing jewellery, succulents are even more eye-catching if paired with accessories.

They work well with different coloured pebbles, gravels and stones.

They pair with modern materials like glass, stainless steel and weathered copper. They add emphasis to ethnic style gardens and pots, and highlight modern space age design. With the infinite variety of Water Wise succulents today, they are a great way to add a modern chic look to update your home, patio or garden. It is all in the creative way in which you can use them.

 

Article courtesy of www.home-dzine.co.za