HOUSING AND FURNISHINGS
Types of housing options
Single dwelling: a house that stands alone on a separate lot
Cluster housing: a group of more than two dwellings having communal open space and
other shared facilities on a single allotment of land, detached, or attached in groups of two.
Semi-detached house: House attached to another house, can be a townhouse.
Flat / Apartment: a self-contained [bathroom, kitchen and living area] housing unit that
occupies part of a building, generally on a single story. Communal areas like corridors,
stairwells, gardens, and wash lines are shared.
Residence (school or university) / a hostel (workers): These have single or shared sleeping
areas, communal bathrooms and a communal kitchen or dining area.
Mobile home (caravan): This can be a caravan that can be moved from site to site.
Tents: Often used by holidaymakers but also set up for emergency housing.
Shack: a simple hut built from tin, wood, or other materials usually occupied by
impoverished people.
Housing ownership options
o Full title/freehold
o Sectional title
Different housing acquisition options
o Renting
o Building
o Buying
,Factors to consider when choosing housing:
o The family’s lifestyle
o The size of the family
o The stage in the life cycle of the family
o Financial circumstances
o Location of the property
Renting
‹ A lease agreement is reached between the lessor/landlord and the lease/tenant
‹ The tenant pays a fixed amount monthly in exchange for the right to live on the
property.
Advantages Disadvantages
A more affordable option for those who Tenants have no guarantee that their lease
don’t have enough money to buy a house. will be renewed once it expires.
Monthly housing expenses are lower than There is no investment in property as the
ownership expenses. money is paid to the owner monthly.
The monthly rent is fixed (i.e. it is not No wealth accumulates from renting
influenced by changes in interest rates). because their assets do not increase.
Tenants do not pay property rates or Tenants are not allowed to make any
service charges. structural changes to the property.
A body corporate is a group of people who control, administer, and manage a sectional title
complex. It is a legal entity and is elected democratically by the owners in the complex.
Building
Process:
1. If you own a vacant plot (erf), you can build a house on it. Decide on a building plan
that will suit your lifestyle as well as the plot.
, 2. Before starting to build, house plans must be drafted by an Architect - layout, design,
and position of the house.
3. The plans are then submitted to the local municipality for approval
4. Choose a builder/contractor with a good reputation.
5. Get financing for bulling the house – mortgage/home loan,
6. Building inspectors will regularly Inspect the building operations.
7. Once the construction work is completed, the house must be registered with the
NHBRC (National Home Builders Registration Council) as:
› the NHBRC is the regulatory body for homebuilders
› this body helps and protects consumers
› helps to ensure proper construction standards
› helps to ensure responsible conduct from building contractors.
Advantages Disadvantages
The house can be designed to suit the Building could cost more than buying.
owner’s needs and taste.
The latest designs and technology can be Managing and supervising subcontractors
used. can be difficult, complicated, and risky.
The house can be completed according to The building process can be complicated
the owner’s own time and schedule. and time consuming.
New houses are often built-in developing You are liable for property taxes and
areas rather than deteriorating areas – service charges which must be paid to
increases future resale value of the house. municipalities.
Buying
‹ Buying a property is a big financial decision. Although the initial costs are high,
buying a house or flat may be one of the best financial investments you could ever
make.
‹ When you are in the process of choosing a property to buy, you must thoroughly
assess each potential house or flat.
Types of housing options
Single dwelling: a house that stands alone on a separate lot
Cluster housing: a group of more than two dwellings having communal open space and
other shared facilities on a single allotment of land, detached, or attached in groups of two.
Semi-detached house: House attached to another house, can be a townhouse.
Flat / Apartment: a self-contained [bathroom, kitchen and living area] housing unit that
occupies part of a building, generally on a single story. Communal areas like corridors,
stairwells, gardens, and wash lines are shared.
Residence (school or university) / a hostel (workers): These have single or shared sleeping
areas, communal bathrooms and a communal kitchen or dining area.
Mobile home (caravan): This can be a caravan that can be moved from site to site.
Tents: Often used by holidaymakers but also set up for emergency housing.
Shack: a simple hut built from tin, wood, or other materials usually occupied by
impoverished people.
Housing ownership options
o Full title/freehold
o Sectional title
Different housing acquisition options
o Renting
o Building
o Buying
,Factors to consider when choosing housing:
o The family’s lifestyle
o The size of the family
o The stage in the life cycle of the family
o Financial circumstances
o Location of the property
Renting
‹ A lease agreement is reached between the lessor/landlord and the lease/tenant
‹ The tenant pays a fixed amount monthly in exchange for the right to live on the
property.
Advantages Disadvantages
A more affordable option for those who Tenants have no guarantee that their lease
don’t have enough money to buy a house. will be renewed once it expires.
Monthly housing expenses are lower than There is no investment in property as the
ownership expenses. money is paid to the owner monthly.
The monthly rent is fixed (i.e. it is not No wealth accumulates from renting
influenced by changes in interest rates). because their assets do not increase.
Tenants do not pay property rates or Tenants are not allowed to make any
service charges. structural changes to the property.
A body corporate is a group of people who control, administer, and manage a sectional title
complex. It is a legal entity and is elected democratically by the owners in the complex.
Building
Process:
1. If you own a vacant plot (erf), you can build a house on it. Decide on a building plan
that will suit your lifestyle as well as the plot.
, 2. Before starting to build, house plans must be drafted by an Architect - layout, design,
and position of the house.
3. The plans are then submitted to the local municipality for approval
4. Choose a builder/contractor with a good reputation.
5. Get financing for bulling the house – mortgage/home loan,
6. Building inspectors will regularly Inspect the building operations.
7. Once the construction work is completed, the house must be registered with the
NHBRC (National Home Builders Registration Council) as:
› the NHBRC is the regulatory body for homebuilders
› this body helps and protects consumers
› helps to ensure proper construction standards
› helps to ensure responsible conduct from building contractors.
Advantages Disadvantages
The house can be designed to suit the Building could cost more than buying.
owner’s needs and taste.
The latest designs and technology can be Managing and supervising subcontractors
used. can be difficult, complicated, and risky.
The house can be completed according to The building process can be complicated
the owner’s own time and schedule. and time consuming.
New houses are often built-in developing You are liable for property taxes and
areas rather than deteriorating areas – service charges which must be paid to
increases future resale value of the house. municipalities.
Buying
‹ Buying a property is a big financial decision. Although the initial costs are high,
buying a house or flat may be one of the best financial investments you could ever
make.
‹ When you are in the process of choosing a property to buy, you must thoroughly
assess each potential house or flat.
