WIN!
Join our Facebook Group
to enter our monthly draw

 Ask The Experts

Q

M Klein of Constantia asks: Our children have moved away so we no longer need so much space, and the garden area has become too much to maintain. After reading your Advice piece [Subdivide and prosper?, February 2007] many of my friends advised me to subdivide my property. If I were to consider subdividing my property, what options do I have?

A

Mark Upton replies: Property subdivision is an emerging new trend amongst homeowners, which isn’t surprising, given the potential benefits of increased income or wealth. However, before you launch headlong into subdivision, there are two important variables to consider – vicinity and subdivision options.
Assess the size of the available land and how it could be subdivided; there are many subdivision possibilities. The current zoning of properties is very important. Also look at developments in the vicinity to determine the likely zoning arrangements.

Subdivision options include the following:
1. Subdivide the land, keep the house, and sell off the plot or plots;

2. Subdivide the land, keep the house, and build on one of the plots;

3. Subdivide the land, keep the house, and build another house or flats to yield a rental income;

4. Demolish the house and sell off the plots;

5. Demolish the house and develop the land into a cluster, townhouses or a block of flats;

6. Sectionalise the property into two units and sell off one or both properties.

Finally, you need to look at factors such as security. Regarding architectural style, consider both the size of the intended development and the overall look and feel of the neighbourhood in order to create the right balance.

Mark Upton, Upton Properties, +27 21 683 0088