Built to Last: Zebinvest’s Integrated Property & Asset Management in Leasehold Developments

By Warren Brusse, Chief Executive Officer, Zebinvest Real Estate Development

At Zebinvest, we don’t treat Property & Asset Management as an afterthought. It is a core part of our leasehold development DNA - a natural extension of our promise to landowners: that we will walk the journey with you, every step of the way.

At Zebinvest, our leasehold development model is not a transaction - it’s a generational commitment. This long-term mindset shapes everything we do, and nowhere is it more visible than in our integrated Property & Asset Management service.

As Chief Executive Officer, I want to clarify what this means, why it matters to landowners and investors, and how our approach ensures that the developments we build don’t just start strong - they stay strong for decades to come.

Leasehold Demands a Long-Term View

Unlike freehold models, where developers often exit after sales, leasehold development is a long-term relationship. The land remains under the control of the landowner (often a trust, institution, or community), and Zebinvest, as the development partner, remains actively involved through every stage of the development’s life cycle.

This continuity of involvement means we are not just developers - we are ongoing custodians, responsible for ensuring the operational, financial, and environmental performance of the precincts we create.

What is Property & Asset Management at Zebinvest?

Our service goes far beyond basic maintenance or rent collection. It is a comprehensive, professionalised platform that includes:

1. Property Management

• Facilities oversight: Day-to-day operations, maintenance of common areas, landscaping, utilities, and service provider management.

  
  

• Lease administration: Enforcement of lease terms, renewals, collections, and tenant support across residential, commercial, and mixed-use components.

  
  

• Community management: Formation and governance of precinct associations, enforcing design guidelines and community standards.

  
  

2. Asset Management

• Financial strategy: Long-term financial planning, capital expenditure forecasting, and yield optimisation across the leasehold portfolio.

  
  

• Performance tracking: Real-time data on occupancy, lease terms, income, costs, and market trends to make data-driven decisions.

  
  

• Value protection: Strategic interventions to enhance rental income, reduce vacancy, and protect the capital value of the leasehold asset over time.

  
  

Our Value Proposition: Alignment, Stability, and Stewardship

What makes Zebinvest’s approach unique is our alignment of interest with landowners. Because we remain involved throughout the life of the lease - renewing 99 year lease - our incentives are perfectly matched with those of our partners:

• We don’t walk away. We manage what we build.

  
  

• We act like owners. Even if we don’t own the land, we manage it as if we do - preserving its value and performance.

  
  

• We offer continuity. One team, one strategy, one long-term vision.

  
  

This ensures a stable, secure, and high-performing environment for residents, tenants, landowners, and investors alike. The result is not only better financial returns, but also stronger community outcomes and more resilient, future-proof precincts.

Why This Matters for Landowners and Investors

With Zebinvest as your long-term property and asset manager, you get:

• Predictable revenue streams from well-managed, optimised leases

  
  

• Controlled operating costs through professional facilities oversight

  
  

• Enhanced capital value through long-term asset planning

  
  

• Peace of mind knowing that your development is being run with integrity and strategic foresight

  
  

A Model Built on Trust

At Zebinvest, we don’t treat Property & Asset Management as an afterthought. It is a core part of our leasehold development DNA - a natural extension of our promise to landowners: that we will walk the journey with you, every step of the way.

In an industry often dominated by short-termism, we bring a different mindset: one of responsible, long-term stewardship.

That’s the Zebinvest way. That’s how we build and manage legacies.

Warren Brusse, Chief Executive Officer, Zebinvest Real Estate Development

For more on how Zebinvest partners with landowners through leasehold development and management, visit www.zebinvest.co.za