FAQ’s
How much commission does Seeff charge on a rental?

The equivalent of the first months' rent plus VAT thereon on a lease of 1 to 2 years.  On longer leases and renewals it is a percentage plus VAT.

Whose responsibility is it to provide a pool net?

In Botswana it is not Law to secure a pool and therefore it is the Lessee's responsibility to provide it if they require one.

What is the normal lease period?

Two years with the option to renew.  There is however an escape clause after the 1st year or a continuous period of 10 months to give 2-3 months notice.

Who is responsible for security at a rental property?

The Lessor has an obligation to ensure that the internal alarm, fence and electric gate are all in good working order (if provided) on handover. However lesse should subscribe to security company of their choice or ensure their own personal property and maintain the systems provided.

Will the landlord fix obvious defects ie. burnt plug sockets, green pool etc?

Most Landlords reply would be "find the Tenant first and we will fix the snags after!"

Why Seeff?

The House of Seeff have a qualified and experienced team of agents working to match qualified Buyers with Sellers.  We currently run a team of 10 agents all working to sell your property.  It's the SMART MOVE!

What is the point of using an Estate Agent?

If you appoint a reputable Estate Agent on a Sole Mandate then they look after your interest and make sure you sell your house at the best possible price in the shortest period of time.  It is often well worth the 5 or 6% commission they will charge you as they may get you a better price and they should take the stress out of selling.   One should avoid using briefcase agents with no offices and no means of tracing them after the transaction as all they want to do is make a quick buck and leave - they don't have a reputation to uphold.

I want to sell my house what do I need to know/do?

Firstly, one should have a valuation of your property done by a reputable Valuer in order to determine that you are selling at the RIGHT PRICE - not pricing yourself out of the market or underselling. 2nd you need to make sure your house is in good condition, tidy it up, do any necessary small repairs etc. 3rd you need to appoint the right agent to look after your interests.

How long does this all take?

You need to be patient in the current market and have done your homework but from the time you put in an offer to the time of transfer it takes about 6 weeks to 2 Months.

What are the other costs involved?

There are conveyancing costs, Bond Registration Fees and Transfer Fees or Duty these are all set down by law and Gazetted so all lawyers and conveyancers charge the same amount.  The first 200k is tax exempt if you are a Botswana Citizen and there is no transfer duty on Tribal Land.

So what is the procedure once the finance has been approved, how does the property transfer?

A conveyancer is appointed - someone who works for an Attorney's office.  The Conveyancer is the Seller's choice but you as the buyer have to pay for it because the property is being transferred into your name.  They do all the paperwork for the transfer from the Seller to the Buyer and register the sale at the Deeds registry as well as your Bond with the bank.

I find my ideal home - what happens now?

Once you find a property that you wish to purchase you will need to put in a written offer.  At Seeff this is in a standard format which is then signed acceptance by the Seller and that document is then used for the Bank to agree to finance the purchase and for the conveyancer to effect transfer.  You will also be required to put a 10% deposit into our Trust Account.  With Seeff you are safeguarded against your money being used before transfer and our Trust account is Audited and REIB registered.

Tell me about valuations, does one need one/how do they work?

It is important to use a Valuer who is approved by the bank you are using for the loan as no bank will lend you money without a valuation.  All the banks have their own panel of approved valuers.  The bank will lend you up to between 90-100% of the market valuation on a property, 70% if it is a Tribal Lease.  It is always good to ask the agent if there is an existing valuation on the property and if so how much it is for.

So now that I am pre-approved where do I go shopping?

Go look at our website www.seeff.co.bw which is updated daily. It will give you a feel for what houses are for sale within your budget and give you ideas as it has about 4 photos per property. Also look in the Advertiser or Mmegi to get an idea of what is for sale in the market. Once you have done your homework, contact Seeff, we have 10 qualified agents all capable of assisting you with guiding you through purchasing a house.

I want to buy - what's the first think I need to do?

Do you have cash or do you need a loan - if you need a loan you need to know what you qualify for.  Go see your bank and choose a user friendly bank.   All the major banks will discuss with you what your income is and calculate for you what you can afford to spend and what your monthly repayments will be.  This is like a half hour session.  After that they will give you a letter stating that you are pre-approved for a specific amount.