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| Take Advantage in the South African Property Market |
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Despite the South African economic growth challenges, this year is set to present opportunities that property investors can take advantages of.
Marna van der Walt, chief executive officer of JHI Properties, explains that it is increasingly evident that the massive increases in electricity tariffs coupled with increases in fuel, rates and taxes are beginning to affect marginal tenants’ ability to meet monthly financial obligations, which in turn may lead to a rise in insolvencies, liquidations and unemployment. According to van der Walt, the gradual recovery of the economy was slower in 2011 than anticipated yet it had a positive effect on disposable income, which reflected in positive retail growth.
Van der Walt explains that it is increasingly evident that the massive increases in electricity tariffs coupled with increases in fuel, rates and taxes are beginning to affect marginal tenants’ ability to meet monthly financial obligations, which in turn may lead to a rise in insolvencies, liquidations and unemployment.
She says in this period (2011) the Investment Property Databank reported that rising operating costs across all sectors can be attributed to a rise of around 50 percent with electricity hikes of 29 percent and rates and taxes 21 percent.
Since the introduction of the New Companies Act, a number of financially distressed companies are using business rescue to avoid liquidation. “Due to the requirements of the Act, these companies have to advise their creditors that they are under business rescue, thereby placing further pressure on their finances.”
The uncertain economic environment fuelled by a volatile global economic climate is impacting on business confidence.
This influences the decision of companies to expand and employ more staff which would contribute positively to economic growth, or in extreme cases to close their doors, she says. “This is directly impacting on the demand for space and rental growth, with the office sector showing a decline in rental growth from nine percent in the first quarter of 2011 to five percent in the second quarter.”
While office vacancies are seemingly stable, high vacancies as well as limited demand is placing tenants in a good position to negotiate rentals down.
Rental escalations are not keeping pace with rising operating costs, with increasing utility costs far exceeding the inflation rate. As a result this is placing downward pressure on the net operating income of buildings and therefore affecting property values, says Van der Walt.
She says transport issues also impact on the commercial property market in regard to choice of location, with the Gautrain stations a key positive factor. The opening of the majority of the Gautrain routes as well as the continued implementation of the BRT routes has increased demand for properties in close proximity to the stations and the BRT routes.
The opening of the Sandton Gautrain station has opened up the Sandton retail precinct to a wider consumer market to the north, which now has easier access.
Van der Walt says if implemented, the proposed tolling of the freeways around Johannesburg will have a negative influence on the property market with companies taking into account the possible effect of tolls in their choice of location.
Furthermore, the proposed tolling is coupled with reported additional taxes for properties situated along public infrastructure corridors such as the Gautrain and this places increased pressure on consumers, directly impacting on the retail market and indirectly on the industrial market. She says a new trend currently apparent in the marketplace is that due to the lack of new stock coming onto the market, older buildings are in demand and can be acquired at very competitive prices.
Landlords driven by the need to fill vacant space are prepared to accept lower initial rentals and in such instances escalations tend to be higher than in the last few years.
With regards to the industrial property sector, she says while the performance of the manufacturing sector is currently reflecting a more positive outlook than last year, its poor performance in 2011 has negatively affected the industrial sector, further influenced by the poor performance of the mining sector and the agricultural sector. “The continued economic crisis in the Euro-zone will influence the demand for South African products, which may result in further downward pressure on manufacturing, thereby negatively affecting the industrial sector.”
JHI Properties anticipates that interest rates will remain at the same low levels until the third quarter of 2012 and expect business confidence to increase.
The Consumer Protection Act is also changing the leasing landscape with landlords preferring to enter into a lease with companies rather than private individuals who can effectively exit lease agreements with a notice period of 20 working days.
Van der Walt says the planned implementation of Carbon Tax will have a significant impact on the property sector with early indications that this will be set at R100 per ton of carbon dioxide creating a carbon tax bill of around R45 billion a year, based on South Africa’s current carbon emissions.
It is estimated that the property sector will be responsible for approximately 23 percent of the carbon tax bill and this will affect all parties involved in this sector from construction to investors, building contractors, landlords and tenants.
Listed property continues to outperform other asset classes despite the fact that growth is lower than previous years, making it an attractive investment.
In order to retain existing tenants and attract new tenants, property owners will need to give more attention to the greening of their buildings.
She adds that the decision of some listed companies not to invest in areas where there are low-quality municipal services may open the door for smaller investors to acquire quality properties.
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