The Guidelines & Rules of Conduct (January 2026) is the binding document for everyone who lives in, visits or works in Van Riebeeckshof. It runs to 32 pages and it is written as a legal instrument.
Below is what it actually says, grouped the way people ask about it. The full document is at the bottom of the page, and it prevails if anything here is ambiguous.
These rules bind owners, tenants, visitors, family members, employees and contractors. If your tenant or builder breaks a rule, the fine goes to the owner.
Everyday conduct
- Speed limit 60 km/h. Drive with real care for children, pedestrians and animals.
- Vehicles stay on the streets. No driving on green belts, parks or private open space; those are pedestrian-only.
- One estate agent’s board per property, parallel to the boundary. Extra boards are removed after two weeks’ notice.
- All signage and advertising needs the association’s approval and must comply with City by-laws.
- Complaints go to the neighbour first. The rules ask parties to resolve matters between themselves with tolerance before escalating.
- Every submission to the association must be in writing.
Building and alterations
- No building activity, including minor alterations, pools, walls, gates and repainting, without approved plans from the association and the City.
- Two colour sets, the scrutiny fee, the deposit and the submission forms go to the managing agent first.
- Two storeys maximum; 200 m² minimum floor area; walls 2 m maximum; palisade 1.8 m maximum.
- Solar panels and water tanks must be integrated and not visible from the street.
- Contractor hours: weekdays 08:00–18:00, Saturdays 08:00–17:00, never on Sundays or public holidays.
- Build within nine months, or ask for an extension in writing.
The full building process, step by step →
Pets
- Maximum two dogs and two cats per property without written consent.
- Poultry, pigeons, aviaries, wild animals and livestock need written consent.
- Pets may not roam. Leashes in all public areas. Pick up after your dog.
Tenants, visitors and contractors
- The owner is liable for the conduct of tenants, visitors, contractors and employees.
- When letting or selling, the owner must give the tenant, agent or buyer a copy of these rules.
- New owners, tenants and estate agents are equally responsible for knowing them.
Environment and security
- No dumping of rubble, garden refuse or rubbish on any open space, pavement or erf.
- Refuse may not be burnt on site.
- Do not feed people who are sleeping rough, and do not leave food on bins. The association and the City both ask you to give through organised channels instead, a local church, MES or Haven vouchers.
- Do not employ casual labour off the street; it keeps people in the area and creates a security risk.
- Report suspicious activity to ADT and the police.
Fines and stop-work orders
Fines are a last resort, and there is a process before one is imposed:
- You are told in writing what the problem is and what needs to be done.
- You get a reasonable time to fix it.
- You may respond in writing and ask to meet the trustees.
- A fine may only be imposed after a second written notification.
If you fix the problem after the first notice, no fine may be imposed. If you do not, fines equal to one month’s levy may be charged for every month the problem continues beyond 14 days. Fines are debited to the levy account, and unpaid fines affect your vote at meetings and your ability to get a clearance certificate when you sell.
The document
The rules are approved and dated 12 August 2025, published as the January 2026 edition. Addenda cover definitions, the contractor’s code of conduct, the fee and fine schedule, the permitted colour alternatives, and the welcome pack.