Real Estate Legal Advisor

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Medical aid

Provident fund

Professional development

Annual leave

Job summary

Placements24, based in Paarl, Western Cape, seeks an experienced Real Estate Legal Advisor to provide expert counsel on property transactions, development projects, and regulatory compliance. You will draft and negotiate contracts, perform due diligence, and guide internal teams on evolving property laws.

The role requires post-qualification SA property law experience, strong analytical ability, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• Admitted as an Attorney or Conveyancer in South Africa with a Fidelity Fund Certificate.
• Minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience in South African property law, with focus on real estate transactions and development.
• Proven experience drafting and negotiating complex real estate contracts and agreements.
• In-depth knowledge of property law, contract law, company law, and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with clear, concise legal advice.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive legal advice on real estate transactions, including acquisitions, disposals, leasing, and financing.
• Draft, review, and negotiate purchase, sale, lease, development, and service agreements.
• Conduct legal due diligence on properties, including title searches and zoning checks.
• Advise on property development, planning permissions, building regulations, and environmental law.
• Ensure compliance with South African property laws and related legislation.
• Manage and resolve disputes related to property ownership and landlord-tenant issues.
• Liaise with external counsel, conveyancers, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Stay updated on changes in property law and advise on implications.
• Assist in developing and implementing real estate legal policies and procedures.
• Provide training to internal teams on real estate legal matters.

Skills

Legal expertise

Contract drafting

Regulatory compliance

South African property law

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a reputable and established real estate development and investment company with significant operations in the Paarl, Western Cape region, is seeking a dedicated and experienced Real Estate Legal Advisor. This role is crucial for providing expert legal counsel on a wide range of real estate transactions, property law matters, and regulatory compliance. You will be responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, advising on property acquisitions and disposals, managing legal aspects of development projects, and ensuring adherence to all relevant legislation. The ideal candidate will possess a strong legal background specifically in South African property law, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to provide practical, commercially sound advice. This position offers the opportunity to work on diverse and impactful real estate projects in the beautiful Paarl valley, in a hybrid work environment that balances office collaboration with personal flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive legal advice on all aspects of real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, and financing.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of legal documents, such as purchase agreements, sale agreements, lease agreements, development contracts, and service agreements.
• Conduct legal due diligence on properties, including title searches, zoning checks, and regulatory compliance assessments.
• Advise on property development matters, including navigating planning permissions, building regulations, and environmental law.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant South African property laws, including the Sectional Titles Act, the Deeds Registries Act, and other applicable legislation.
• Manage and resolve legal disputes related to property ownership, landlord-tenant issues, and contractual obligations.
• Liaise with external legal counsel, conveyancers, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders as required.
• Keep abreast of changes in property law and advise the company on potential impacts and necessary adjustments.
• Assist in the development and implementation of legal policies and procedures related to real estate operations.
• Provide training and guidance to internal teams on legal matters concerning real estate.

Requirements

• Admitted as an Attorney or Conveyancer in South Africa with a current Fidelity Fund Certificate.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-qualification experience in South African property law, with a significant focus on real estate transactions and development.
• Proven experience in drafting and negotiating complex real estate contracts and agreements.
• In‑depth knowledge of property law, contract law, company law, and relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to provide clear and concise legal advice.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment, adhering to a hybrid work schedule.
• Experience with due diligence processes for property acquisitions and developments.
• Familiarity with the real estate market and legal landscape in the Western Cape, particularly Paarl.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary commensurate with experience.
• Performance-based bonus structure.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility.
• Contribution to medical aid and provident fund.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing legal education.
• Work on diverse and high-profile real estate projects in the picturesque Paarl region.
• Supportive and collaborative work environment within a respected company.
• Generous annual leave allowance.