Buying a farm

by Jacques
(Stellenbosch)

I am 34 years old and looking to buy a farm up the Garden Route, South Africa. I started browsing the Net to look for help regarding tips or pointers on how to decide if a certain property is worth the selling price and what to look for when you actually want to farm. I found the site helpful but needed more info on where to check the water rights of a certain property ext.

Thanks for your help so far.

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Buying a farm

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Jan 19, 2011
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Water Rights in South Africa for Farming
by: Countryfarm Lifestyles

As you probably know there have been major changes to water rights in South Africa since 1998, and they continue to change.

While water rights was the term used in the old Water Act, of 1956, there is now the current National Water Act, 1998 referring to the term now as water use entitlements.

The Act makes provision for rural communities to apply for a water use license. This replaces the riparian rights principle that was the basis of the 1956 Water Act.

Due to the changes taking place, almost on a daily basis, I suggest you study the title deeds very carefully of the farm you are looking at and talk to the authorities at the local municipality to help you determine exactly what it is that you are entitled to with regards to water rights, or rather water use entitlements. Are they still valid or would you have to apply for a water use license?