The Chief Registrar issued a circular yesterday alerting all that there are certain problems with the electronic processing of rates clearance certificates. The relevant legislation requires that the certificate must be the original signed by the Municipal Manager and a downloaded copy, certified as a copy of the original filed in the municipality’s records, is inadequate despite this being the practice for many years now!
The deeds office will accept the ‘incorrect’ certificates until 14 February 2014 only. Before this time, arrangements will be made to address this obstacle in the current electronic system. We will advise you of the developments in this regard.
View the circular here.
For any questions, contact your conveyancer at www.stbb.co.za