• Check with deeds office if the seller is the rightful owner
• Check for Clearance certificate from municipality (rates & services)
• Do not pay any money to the intermediary unless it is in writing and stated as part of your loan agreement.
  If the intermediary mentions other costs you were not previously aware of, ask them to provide you with the details of the financier and double-check what you need to pay.
• Be careful of a bogus buyer, who says they’re based overseas, approaches the seller claiming they want to buy the house, unit or land being offered for sale
• Home or land sellers need to be aware that in a real estate transaction, there should be no reason for the seller to outlay money on behalf of the buyer
• Scammers may try to convince the seller they have paid a deposit, perhaps by using a stolen or fake credit card or by sending an email linking to a bogus PayPal transaction
• The scammer could appear to ‘overpay’ the deposit and ask you to pay back the overpaid amount by bank or wire transfer.
• Only when the overpayment has been returned will the seller realize that the deposit transaction has been reversed
  because it was made with a stolen or fake credit card or never existed in the first place because the PayPal email was bogus

For buyers

• Have the planning rights been approved by the City's Development Planning and Urban Management department?
• Did the surveyor-general approve the diagrams for the development?
• Have building plans been approved for the development?
• If it is a township development, has the township register been opened?
• Is the township a proclaimed township?
• If it is not proclaimed, are the clauses that protect the buyer in terms of the relevant proclaimed legislation included in the contract?
• Does the developer have permission from the City to sell erven in the township development?
• Are all the services for the development installed?
• Has the City approved and granted clearances for the services?
• Has the developer paid all the contributions outstanding on the township?
• Has the developer complied with all the conditions relating to the development?
• Has the City granted clearance for the transfer of erven from the township?
• If building plans have been approved and the building has been built, has the City issued a Certificate of Occupancy?

• Are you asked to send money without having met anyone or seen the apartment?
  Do not pay someone until you have met them. All rental transactions should be conducted in person or sent electronically after a face to face meeting
• The landlord seems too eager to lease the apartment to you.. If a landlord doesn't seem interested in any form of tenant screening or appears too eager to negotiate the rent and other lease terms with you, it's suspicious.
• You're asked to pay an unusually high security deposit or too many upfront fees. If the landlord wants a higher security deposit than what's required by law, or if upfront fees seem excessive to you, it could be a sign that the landlord wants to take your money and run.
• You feel unwarranted sales pressure. If a landlord acts too pushy, it can be a red flag.
• You're told you don't need a lease/ You don’t need a lawyer. Do not pay anyone until the lease agreement has been signed. The lease agreement is a binding document between you and the lessor. If possible get a legal help to review the contract
• The landlord has a convenient excuse for not being able to meet you or show the property. Do not pay for what you have not seen. While there may be pictures of the property online, it may not exist. Make sure you view the inside and the outside of the property in person
• Check prices of similar accommodation in the same area/location : if the price is at a ridiculously low level then is a red flag

Online sites are fantastic as long as you know how to protect yourself. It boils down to doing your homework – never blindly trust that what you’re told is the truth. Do your own checks, and do them properly

Useful links

Avoid holiday accommodation scams: http://www.property24.com/articles/avoid-holiday-accommodation-scams/21037

Southern African Tourism Services Association:http://www.satsa.com/
Tourism Grading Council of South Africa: http://www.tourismgrading.co.za/find-a-graded-establishment/search-for-graded-accommodation/