Department of Housing speaks on title deeds

The Housing Department has a programme of issuing out title deeds to beneficiaries.

This is an ongoing programme as the department continues to build houses for beneficiaries.

Communications specialist Bubu Xuba says the division has managed to issue out over 800 title deeds to beneficiaries thus far in 2014.

Xuba says this programme is jointly done with the Provincial Human Settlements Department in other projects.

“The issue of lodging for title deed is a process that involves parties outside of the municipalities such as conveyancer, deeds office and others. This then means the process is not completely under our control, any challenges experienced by the stakeholders will have an effect on the issuing of title deeds,” she said.

Xuba says there are different title deeds that are being issued.

The department issues title deeds to beneficiaries of RDP houses and also to those who used to live in council owned houses, where they converted their title deeds from leasehold title deeds to full title deeds.

She said: “As the City we would like to take this opportunity to further inform recipients of these title deeds to keep them safe and also advise beneficiaries to write wills so that in the event they pass away, there will be no fights for the houses as we currently experience these.”

“This is a programme we are proud to deliver as it restores dignity to our people and makes them legal owners of their properties,” said Xuba.

Xuba says beneficiaries can use this ownership as sureties when looking for economic opportunities should they decide to.

Residents in Bramfischer, Orange Farm and other areas received title deeds this year.