There’s a snake on my stoep

Most homeowners know they must disclose things like rising damp, roof leaks, electrical issues or structural cracks.

But South African law goes a bit further. Sellers have to tell buyers about anything they know that could reasonably affect their decision to buy, including environmental or wildlife-related issues.

According to Adriaan Grové, Founder & CEO of MyProperty, disclosure isn’t just about the state of the building.

“If there’s something unusual about the property that a buyer would want to know, including recurring wildlife, the seller has a responsibility to mention it,” he said.

One spider or a once-off frog in the bathroom? Probably fine.

Even Sheba, the eight-year-old Bengal tiger who escaped from a smallholding in Walkerville in January 2023, might count as a “one-off” – though it’s safe to say your average buyer won’t be thrilled by that story.

But if the house has become a regular hangout for a resident snake, baboons are repeatedly raiding the kitchen, or monkeys are swiping your fruit bowl every week, that’s definitely information a new owner would want upfront, said MyProperty.

Of course, if you’re buying in a wildlife or eco-estate, encounters with snakes, baboons, and larger-than-normal spiders are to be expected. Grové noted that even the occasional night adder or black mamba has shown up at his family residences.

Gittins Attorneys pointed out that exotic animal ownership in South Africa, particularly in the Johannesburg area, “is a fraught and controversial space”.

This is because it sits at the intersection of public safety, animal welfare, and legislative ambiguity, it explained on its website.

There is, it said, a “growing concern that suburban Johannesburg has become a hotbed for unregulated exotic animal ownership”.

Living close to nature is one of South Africa’s biggest drawcards. But lifestyle buyers still value certainty. That’s where disclosure becomes part of good, old-fashioned honesty.

“Buyers are more informed than ever, and they’re not just looking at the house, they’re looking at the risks. A seller who is open about what they’ve experienced earns trust and avoids disputes later,” Grové explained.

Wildlife might sound like an amusing anecdote, but post-transfer disputes are never amusing.

In a world where buyers Google everything from school ratings to crime stats, an unexpected pet python, or even an escaped tiger, is definitely something they want to know.

Traditionally, inspections focused on structural defects, but now go further.

Independent inspection specialist Divan Paul du Preez says buyers are often surprised by what professionals find – sometimes things even the owner hasn’t noticed.

“A good inspection looks beyond the obvious. We check roof cavities, insulation gaps, moisture pockets, and the external environment, all the places where small problems, pests, or wildlife might be hiding,” he says.

Du Preez said, “Catching those issues early helps buyers make informed decisions and helps sellers avoid disputes later. Most of the time, a simple inspection can save people thousands of rand and a lot of stress.”

So do you really have to disclose the snake?

Here’s the practical breakdown:

• One-off wildlife encounter: Probably not a material issue — think a single frog in the bathroom, or even a tiger like Sheba who escaped once from a smallholding (though she did cause a fair amount of chaos).
• Recurring wildlife presence (especially dangerous animals): Yes — tell the buyer.
• Anything that might impact safety, habitability, or a buyer’s peace of mind: Also yes.

Not because the law is trying to scare sellers – but because honesty prevents future arguments, legal claims, or misunderstandings.

As Grové put it, “a home is more than bricks and mortar, it’s someone’s future. Being upfront about the quirks and realities of your property is part of responsible selling.”

Gittins Attorneys cautioned that there is “growing concern that suburban Johannesburg has become a hotbed for unregulated exotic animal ownership”.

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