Frequently Asked Questions

The estimated completion of the development is Q3 2028.

Yes.

• Phase 1: 178 apartments (initial release)
• Phase 2: 86 apartments

The Charles offers a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as luxury penthouses. The elevated site allows most residences to enjoy expansive views of the sea and mountains.

The Charles is developed through a joint venture between Unir Projects, IGUAL Property Group and 181 Devco.

This collaboration brings together extensive experience in property development, project delivery, and strategic asset management. The joint venture structure ensures a focused, hands-on approach to delivering a high-quality residential development with strong long-term value, considered design, and professional project execution.

Joint venture partners:

• Unir Projects – www.unirprojects.com
• IGUAL Property Group – www.igual.co.za
• 181 Development Company – www.181devco.co.za

GLH Architects

The architectural design for The Charles is by GLH Architects.

GLH Architects is an established architectural practice with extensive experience in residential and mixed-use developments. The firm is known for delivering considered, contextually responsive design solutions that prioritise functionality, aesthetic clarity, and long-term value.

www.glh.co.za

GLH Interiors

The Interior design for The Charles is by GLH Architects.

GLH Interiors brings a refined, cohesive design approach to the development, ensuring that each space reflects a considered balance of functionality, comfort, and a contemporary aesthetic.

www.glh.co.za

De Abreu & Cohen Attorneys

De Abreu & Cohen Attorneys is an established legal practice with extensive experience in property law and conveyancing. As the appointed transferring attorneys, they will manage the transfer process to ensure a smooth and professional registration experience.

www.deabreuandcohen.co.za

BetterBond

The Charles has partnered with BetterBond to assist purchasers with bond origination services. BetterBond facilitates the home loan application process by submitting applications to multiple banks to secure competitive interest rates and favourable lending terms.

Buyers are strongly encouraged to obtain pre-qualification before launch to assess affordability and streamline the purchase process.

Get pre-approved: click here

Pam Golding Properties

• Katya Varga – 069 046 6398 – katya.varga@pamgolding.co.za
• Lauren Duncan – 069 041 5107 – lauren.duncan@pamgolding.co.za
• Shaun Taljaard – 069 055 9907 – shaun.taljaard@pamgolding.co.za

Apartments at The Charles are delivered with high-quality standard finishes and a refined, contemporary design aesthetic. Purchasers may choose between two curated interior colour palettes:

• Twilight
• Dawn

These palettes have been carefully composed to ensure a cohesive and timeless interior environment.

Penthouses offer additional flexibility and may be personalised in collaboration with the design team. This includes the opportunity to consider layout adjustments and selected exterior deck options, subject to design parameters and approval.

The following optional extras are available (limited availability applies):

• Additional parking bays
• Storerooms
• Integrated appliances
• Penthouses can be fully personalised to offer a bespoke design

Leisure-led living begins the moment you step onto the grounds of The Charles. Residents enjoy access to a curated selection of high-end amenities designed for well-being, leisure, productivity, and connection, all set within beautifully maintained landscaped grounds.

Residents benefit from:

• An indoor gym
• Resort-style swimming pool
• Reception Concierge
• Clubhouse
• 24/7 manned security
• Biometric access control
• CCTV surveillance monitoring
• Beautifully landscaped spaces
• Secure parking

The Charles is positioned within the established Lord Charles Hotel grounds, placing a range of hospitality and leisure amenities within easy reach, while maintaining the privacy and independence of a secure residential estate.

The Charles is a fully secured residential estate designed to provide residents with peace of mind and controlled access at all times.

Security features include:

• 24/7 manned security
• Guardhouse with controlled access
• Electric perimeter fencing
• CCTV surveillance monitoring
• Biometric access control

The estate’s layered security approach ensures a safe and private living environment while maintaining seamless access for residents.

Parking is included with all apartments as follows:

• Studios & One-Bedroom Apartments: 1 uncovered parking bay
• Two-Bedroom Apartments: 2 parking bays, with at least 1 covered bay
• Three-Bedroom Apartments: 2 covered parking bays
• Penthouses: 3 parking bays

Visitor parking bays are provided within the estate.

Additional parking bays are available for purchase at R200,000, subject to limited availability.

Storerooms are available within the development. Storerooms are included with penthouses, all three-bedroom apartments, and select two-bedroom apartments, while others are available for purchase from R125,000 to R150,000, subject to availability.

Air-conditioning units are provided in the main bedroom and living area of each apartment.

Each apartment is individually metered using smart meters, allowing residents to monitor and manage their electricity and water consumption.

Fibre-ready infrastructure is installed throughout the development, enabling high-speed internet connectivity.

Backup power is provided only for common areas and essential services.

Lift access is provided to all residential levels.

SALES ARE NOW LIVE

You can reserve your preferred unit(s) online with a reservation fee.

If you created your shortlist or wish list of apartment beforehand, you will now be able to reserve directly from it.

All reservations happen online via the interactive price list.

To give yourself the best chance of securing your preferred unit:

1. Register and log in to sales.thecharles-somersetwest.co.za
2. Click RESERVE on your selected unit (be quick, as others may also be reserving).
3. Complete the form and accept the terms, then click RESERVE.
4. Your reservation will move to a pending state, and you will have 10 minutes to finalise payment of the reservation fee.
5. Pay your non-refundable R10,000 reservation fee via:
   • Visa or Mastercard
   • Apple Pay
   • Masterpass
   • Snapscan

Once payment is complete, your unit will be reserved.* You will then receive an email confirming your reservation.

*Ts&Cs apply.

• The Agreement of Sale will be emailed to you and must be signed and returned within 3 business days.
• A 10% deposit (inclusive of the reservation fee) is required within 7 days of the signature date. The deposit is paid into the transferring attorney’s interest-bearing account and will earn interest for you.
• The balance (90%) must be secured within 21 days of the signature date via bond approval, bank guarantee, or cash.

Alternative cash options, deposits held in interest bearing account with the transferring attorney:

1. A 30% non-refundable deposit (paid within 5 calendar days of signature date), with the balance payable 90 days before transfer.
2. A 10% non-refundable deposit (paid within 5 calendar days of signature date), bank guarantee for the the balance due within 30 days before transfer.

The financial figures reflected on the interactive price list are provided as a guideline only. The estimated bond repayment is calculated using 90% financing over a 20-year term, with an interest rate of prime minus 1%.

These figures are purely illustrative and do not constitute a guarantee or approval by BetterBond or any financial institution. Actual repayments, rates and approval terms may vary based on individual credit assessments and prevailing market conditions.

No. Short-term and holiday rentals are not permitted at The Charles.

Yes. Owners may occupy their apartments themselves or rent them out on a long-term basis only, with a minimum lease period of six (6) months.

The Charles is managed on a day-to-day basis by the Body Corporate, which is responsible for:

• Estate management
• Maintenance of common areas
• Enforcement of conduct and estate rules
• Upholding consistent residential standards

This structure ensures a stable, well-managed, and secure living environment aligned with the development’s long-term positioning.

Financed deals

• Minimum 10% deposit, balance via bond approval
• Deposit payable within 5 calendar days from receiving deposit instructions from the transferring attorneys. Deposit paid into the transferring attorney’s interest-bearing account
• Balance (90%) secured within 30 days with bond approval

Cash deals:

Option A:

• 30% non-refundable deposit
• Deposit payable within 5 calendar days from receiving instructions from the transferring attorneys. Deposit paid into the transferring attorney’s interest-bearing account
• Balance payable 90 days before lodgement/handover once a written instruction is received from the transferring attorneys

Option B:

• 10% non-refundable deposit
• Deposit payable within 5 calendar days from receiving instructions from the transferring attorneys. Deposit paid into the transferring attorney’s interest-bearing account
• Bank guarantee for balance within 30 days before lodgement/handover once a written instruction is received from the transferring attorneys

Yes. The deal is subject to your bond being approved. If it is not approved, the deposit will be refunded to you with interest.

Bond repayments will only commence after the development is complete and once transfer has taken place.

Bond costs are payable at the time the bond registers, once the development is complete.

The seller is registered for VAT, so there will be no transfer duty, but transfer costs (attorney fees) are payable.

The estimated costs are based on:
Purchase price: R1 800 000
Bond amount (90%): R1 620 000
No transfer duty (VAT included in developer sale)*

Developer-Negotiated Discount

The developer has negotiated a 50% discount on the prescribed tariff-based professional fees for both transfer and bond registration costs, provided that the appointed transfer attorney also attends to the bond registration.

The discount applies only to the tariff-based professional fees, not to deeds office charges, bank fees, or administrative costs.

With this discount applied:

Discounted Transfer Costs – R23 099

• Discounted transfer fee (50% of tariff): R19 453
• Deeds Office fee: R1 646
• Post, petties, FICA and admin: R2 000

Discounted Bond Registration Costs: ±R27 433 (Based on bond amount of R1 620 000)

• Discounted bond registration fee (50% of tariff): ±R17 750
• Bond Deeds Office fee: R1 646
• Post, petties, FICA and admin: R2 000
• Bank initiation fee: ±R6 037
• Prime -1

Total Bond and Transfer Costs With Discount: ±R50 532

Standard Estimated Costs (Without Negotiated Discount)

Transfer Costs – R42 552

• Property transfer fee (tariff-based): R38 906
• Deeds Office fee: R1 646
• Post, petties, FICA and admin: R2 000
  

Bond Registration Costs: ±R45 183 (Based on bond amount of R1 620 000)

• Bond registration fee (tariff-based): ±R35 500
• Bond Deeds Office fee: R1 646
• Post, petties, FICA and admin: R2 000
• Bank initiation fee: ±R6 037
  
• Prime -1

Total Bond and Transfer Costs Without Discount: ±R87 735

Important Notes:

• These figures are estimates based on current prescribed conveyancing tariffs.
  The 50% discount applies only to tariff-based professional fees and is conditional upon the transfer attorney also attending to the bond registration.
• Final figures may vary slightly depending on the exact bond amount and bank charges.

*Please note that these figures are estimates based on current tariffs and are subject to change. The 50% discount applies only to the tariff-based professional fees and is conditional upon the transfer attorney also attending to the bond registration. Please note these are subject to change.

To calculate transfer costs, use:
https://www.betterbond.co.za/calculators/bond-and-transfer/

To get pre-approval, use:
https://online.betterbond.co.za/dev/C-639056437413128263-daff68

Levies are determined based on the sectional title and the exclusive-use areas of the apartments. Levies are calculated at a standard rate to be determined.

They cover security, cleaning and upkeep of common areas, maintenance, building insurance, and all running and management costs.

Monthly rates are based on the property’s municipal value. The annual rate is calculated by multiplying the municipal value by 0.007159 (applicable for the 2026 financial year) and dividing by 12 to determine the monthly amount. Municipal tariffs are set by the local authority and are subject to change. Rates include COCT rates and CID levy.

Residential properties qualify for a R450,000 rebate on the municipal value where the total value is R5 million or less. For properties exceeding R5 million, a nominal R15,000 rebate applies. These rebates are applicable for the 2026 financial year and remain subject to change.

Example (R1.8 million property):
R1,800,000 – R450,000 = R1,350,000 taxable value
R1,350,000 × 0.007159 = R9,664.65 per annum
= R805.39 per month 

No hidden costs. VAT inclusive, no transfer duty.

The contract price is the price the client will pay for the property. Occupational interest is due from the date you take occupation until ownership transfers.

Bond costs and transfer costs will be payable before registration and transfer. These costs are largely offset by the interest earned on your deposit during the construction period.

After the development is complete, the transfer process will commence. The occupation will be provided once an occupation certificate is granted. You can occupy or rent out your apartment from the date of occupation.

Section 13sex is a South African tax incentive designed to encourage investment in new residential rental property. Investors who purchase new, unused units and rent them out may be eligible for a capital allowance against their taxable income.

To qualify, an investor must own at least five new residential units in South Africa that are rented out.

Qualifying investors may deduct 5% of the purchase price (excluding land) per year for 20 years. If the units meet SARS’s definition of low-cost residential housing, the allowance may increase to 10% per year for 10 years.

Example
If an investor purchases five new apartments for a total qualifying purchase price of R10 million (excluding land), they could deduct R500,000 per year from their taxable income for 20 years. Over time, this amounts to a total deduction of R10 million.

This incentive enhances long-term returns while supporting the growth of quality rental housing in South Africa. All allowances are subject to SARS qualification and individual tax circumstances.

• The taxpayer must own at least five residential units. The incentive applies once the buyer takes ownership of their fifth new unit.
• A residential unit refers to a building or self-contained apartment mainly used for residential accommodation, excluding structures used for business purposes (for example, hotels).
• All units must be situated in South Africa.
• Residential units must be purchased new and unused. (For example, buyers of flats that have previously been occupied would not qualify.)
• The units must be used solely for trade (i.e. residential letting). This prevents claims where units are used for personal use.

Please consult your tax advisor for further clarification and information.