The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has announced changes to Regulation 68 of the Deeds Registries Act. From 1 January 2020, there will be additional steps in the procedure of obtaining a replacement for your lost title deed.
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The new procedure will include publishing a notification of intention to apply for such certified copy in a newspaper circulating in the area in which the property is situated. This notice will be left open for inspection for a period of two weeks from date of publication. During this period, any interested person may object to the issue of the copy. All persons having an objection to the issue of such copy must lodge such objection in writing with the relevant Registrar of Deeds within two weeks from the date of the publication of the notice.
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To avoid delays in dealing with your properties, find out the whereabouts of your title deed. If your title deed is not in the hands of the bank, (if the property is bonded), or in your possession, (if the property was bought cash or the bond has been cancelled), start applying for your lost copy now, if necessary.