Update: The Johannesburg Deeds offices have re-opened on the 6th of March and are fully effective.
After a prolonged closure due to elevator compliance issues, the Johannesburg Deeds Office officially reopened on March 6, restoring essential services for property registrations and providing much-needed relief to legal and property professionals navigating recent disruptions.
In an encouraging turn of events, the Johannesburg Deeds Office has officially reopened its doors as of March 6, following a troubling period of closure due to elevator issues in the 32-storey building housing its operations. The office had been shuttered since late February after the Department of Employment and Labour initiated the closure due to significant non-compliance concerns regarding the elevators.
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Despite the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) asserting that the deeds office was not officially closed, the substantial building challenges had severely hindered access to essential services. The DALRRD, in collaboration with the Department of Public Works, has since worked diligently to address these pressing issues and restore operations to normal.
@caxtonjoburgnorth The Johannesburg Deeds office is still not operational throughout this tour of the empty building. #jhb #deedsoffice ♬ original sound Caxton Joburg North
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The temporary shutdown had raised alarms among legal and property professionals, who were vocal about the ramifications of the elevator shutdown. On February 26, Du Plessis Van Loggenberg Attorneys took to social media to explain the situation, stating, “Due to the elevators at the Johannesburg Deeds Office being shut down by the Department of Labour, they are unfortunately closed and unable to operate until further notice.” Tucker’s attorneys also communicated the severe implications of the closure through formal notices to clients and business partners.
With the reopening of the Johannesburg Deeds Office on March 6, stakeholders in the property sector can now breathe a sigh of relief as the vital services resume. While the uncertainty surrounding the elevator situation had created challenges, the return to operations allows legal and property professionals to better navigate the landscape moving forward.
Clients are encouraged to reach out for any urgent inquiries as the office resumes its critical functions, marking a positive resolution to a challenging period for property registrations in Johannesburg.
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