Better bond solutions for Aida clients
Consumers buying property through Aida agents can now look forward to improved bond origination services.
This follows a partnership earlier this year between Aida’s holding company Jigsaw and Sanlam to form Sanlam Home Solutions (SHS) to help consumers gain entry into an increasingly tough property market. SHS has now brought the PA Group on board in a deal in terms of which SHS sales and administrative staff will be transferred to PA’s mortgage originator
BetterBond.
Young Carr, CEO of Aida National Franchises, says the deal represents a great leap forward in the services that Aida clients can expect. “The partnership with BetterBond means that the number of bond consultants increases from 22 to 162, which will streamline service to clients through greater capacity.
“A service level agreement has been concluded with BetterBond and the process will be managed by a dedicated SHS team, which means home buyers can look forward to professional services, supported by the extensive BetterBond infrastructure and experience.
“We believe this step will greatly benefit our clients in a market where it has become crucial to find bond finance on the best possible terms and in the shortest possible time,” he says.
Aida clients also have access to Sanlam’s wide range of products in terms of the SHS agreement. “Clients have streamlined access to insurance products, including householder and homeowner policies, which further enhances Aida’s one-stop service for property consumers,” Carr says.
Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 Electrical Installation
Regulations Government Gazette, 6 March 2009 no. 31975
Effective date of New Act:1 may 2009
We often receive queries regarding electrical certificates and I can just imagine the amount of queries that you as the agent receive from prospective sellers and buyers.
The government notice No. 31975 that appeared in the government gazette of
6 March 2009 effected a few changes
Please note some of the changes are that an electrical compliance certificate issued within the last two years is still valid provided that no other work has been done on the property’s electrical system since the certificate was issued.
Furthermore if a buyer wishes to have a current compliance inspection done before the sale goes through he can no longer demand that the seller pay for it, he will have to pay for it himself.(whilst the sellers electrical compliance certificate is still valid.)
Another important change is that the electrician performing the inspection only has to state that the system is completely safe whereas in the past they had to state that the system is in full working order.
Herewith some important sections of the act that you can familiarize yourself with.
Definitions
“certificate of compliance” means —
a certificate with a unique number obtainable from the chief inspector, or a person appointed by the chief inspector, in the form of Annexure 1, and issued by a registered person in respect of an electrical installation or part of an elec trical installation: or
a certificate of compliance issued under the Electrical Installation Regulations, 1992;
“Electrical installation” means any machinery, in or on any premises, used for the transmission of electricity from a point of control to a point of consumption anywhere on the premises, including any article forming part of such an electrical installation irrespective of whether or not it is part of the electrical circuit.
Responsibility for electrical installations
(1) Subject to sub regulation (3), the user or lessor of an electrical installation, as the case may be, shall be responsible for the safety, safe use and maintenance of the electrical installation he or she uses or leases.
(2) The user or lessor of an electrical installation, as the case may be, shall be responsible for the safety of the conductors on his or her premises connecting the electrical installation to the point of supply in the case where the point of supply is not the point of control.
(3) Where there is a written undertaking between a user or lessor and a lessee whereby the responsibility for an electrical installation has been transferred to the lessee, the lessee shall be responsible for that installation as if he or she were the user or lessor.
(1) An approved inspection authority for electrical installations may enter premises and conduct an inspection, test or investigation only when-
contracted by the chief inspector or provincial director for a specific electrical installation; or
requested by the user or lessor of an electrical installation to do so.
(1) Subject to the provisions of sub regulation (3), every user or lessor of an electrical installation, as the case may be, shall have a valid certificate of compliance for that installation in the form of Annexure 1, which shall be accompanied by a test report in the format approved by the chief inspector, in respect of every such electrical installation.
(4) Where any addition or alteration has been effected to an electrical installation for which a certificate of compliance was previously issued, the user or lessor of such electrical installation shall obtain a certificate of compliance for at least the addition or alteration.
(5) Subject to the provisions of section 10(4) of the Act, the user or lessor may not allow a change of ownership if the certificate of compliance is older than two years.
Functions of approved inspection authorities for electrical installations
Certificate of compliance
Issuing of certificate of compliance
(1) No person other than a registered person may issue a certificate of compliance.
(2) A registered person may issue a certificate of compliance accompanied by the required test report only after having satisfied himself or herself by means of an inspection and test that —
a new electrical installation complies with the provisions of
regulation 5 (1) and was carried out under his or her general control;an electrical installation referred to in paragraph (b), to which extensions or alterations have been effected, that —
the existing part of the electrical installation complies with the general safety principles of such standard and is reasonably safe, and
the extensions or alterations effected comply with the provisions of regulation 5(1) and were carried out under his or her general
control.
If at any time prior to the issuing of a certificate of compliance any fault or defect is detected in any part of the electrical installation, the registered person shall refuse to issue such certificate until that fault or defect has been rectified: Provided that if such fault or defect in the opinion of the registered person constitutes an immediate danger to- persons in a case where electricity is already supplied, he or she shall forthwith take steps to disconnect the supply to the circuit in which the fault or defect was detected and notify the chief inspector thereof.
Any person who undertakes to do electrical installation work shall ensure that a valid certificate of compliance is issued for that work.
No person may amend a certificate of compliance.
FNB’s Quick Sell properties make good buys
FNB’s Quick Sell Plan not only helps to find buyers for homeowners in financial distress but also presents very good opportunities for property investors.
So says Young Carr, CEO of Aida National Franchises, which has been nominated as a real estate partner for the plan. He notes that buyers introduced by an FNB partner agent can qualify for home loans on Quick Sell Plan properties of up to 100% and receive a 50% discount on transfer costs and bond registration fees.
“This is a very appealing offer in the current tight credit climate, where home buyers are generally required to have a cash deposit of at least 20 percent, plus an amount equal to at least 4% of the property’s value to cover closing costs.”
Buying a Quick Sell Plan property through Aida can make a huge difference to the returns an investor can expect. “To purchase a normal property costing R800 000, for example, most buyers would currently need a deposit of at least R160 000, plus around R32 000 for transfer and bond costs.
“However, the investor who buys an FNB Quick Sell property costing R800 000 with 100% loan, will only need a cash amount of R16 000 – half the transfer and bond costs – and once property prices start to rise again, the additional leverage will mean much higher returns for the investor.
“In addition, buying an FNB Quick Sell property limits the investor’s risk. Putting down R16 000 on a property is a lot less risky than putting down R192 000 of your cash.”
Carr cautions, however, that investors should not get carried away and over-extend themselves financially. “Although properties offered in terms of the FNB Quick Sell plan can be viewed as bargains, it would not benefit investors to buy them if they then just ended up having to resell because they bit off more than they could chew and had become distressed sellers themselves.”
Aida launches a red-blooded campaign
23 September 2009
Making full use of its distinctive red and white branding, real estate group Aida has launched a national blood donation campaign in partnership with the SA National Blood Service.
“Donated blood is a lifesaver for many accident victims and people with serious
diseases,” says Aida CEO Young Carr, “and the purpose of this campaign is firstly to get all our agents, business partners and clients to become donors.
“In addition Aida branches and staff around the country will for the next year be
rolling up their sleeves to publicise and assist with blood donation drives at local
shopping centres, schools, colleges and other venues as well as their own premises.”
The campaign kicked off at Aida head office earlier this month and, says Carr, Aida branches will now each “adopt” a blood donation centre in their respective area or form a partnership with a mobile blood unit to get the campaign moving nationally.
They will arrange publicity for local blood drives and set up SMS campaigns to keep blood donors informed of dates and venues. More information will be published on an ongoing basis on the Aida website www.aida.co.za and that of the SANBS, www.sanbs.org.za.
“We are firstly hoping to make a material difference to the blood supplies available during the upcoming festive season,” says Carr, “as there is usually a shortage during these holidays, but we are also committed to continuing the campaign next year.”
*Potential donors can also call the SANBS infoline on 0800 11 9031 to find out where and when they can give blood.
Issued by Aida National Franchises
The National Awards 2008
The National Awards 2008 function, combined, for Aida was not held at a specific venue during this year. It was decided that it would be held at three venues as Regional Awards and National Awards at these venues below:
7 August 2009 - Cape Town
14 August 2009 - Bloemfontein
21 August 2009 - Pretoria.
Only the winners in the various categories, with their respective Franchisees and representation from Jigsaw, ANF, Standard Bank and SHS were invited. At the Pretoria function, Cherie Eilertson was the motivational speaker and guest speaker.
From all of us at ANF : Congratulations to all the winners.
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