​Frequently Asked Questions – Landowners

Who is Zebinvest Real Estate Development?

Zebinvest is a South African-based property development firm that specialises in large-scale leasehold development. We partner with landowners to unlock the full value of their land by creating high-impact residential, commercial, mixed-use and retirement precincts.

What kind of landowners do we typically partner with?

We work with private landowners, family trusts, corporate landholders, and public sector stakeholders who own strategically located land within growth nodes. Our ideal land partners are long-term holders looking to retain ownership while monetising the development potential.

What is the Leasehold Development Solution?

The Leasehold Development Structure is a model where the landowner retains full (or part) ownership of the land while granting long-term development rights (99 years) to a developer through a notarial lease. This enables development and monetisation of the land without selling it outright.

Our Leasehold Development Solution allows landowners to:​

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• Retain perpetual ownership of their land

• Realise upfront capital income by selling development rights (leasehold title)

• Participate in the long-term upside via structured revenue-sharing or capital events

• De-risk the development process by partnering with best-in-class specialist sector developers

This model has been successfully implemented in landmark projects such as Waterfall City in Gauteng and Cornubia in Kwa-Zula Natal. Internationally, leasehold is a common structure in cities like London, Dubai, and Singapore.

How is this different from a traditional land sale?

Unlike a freehold sale (where you lose the land asset permanently), the leasehold model enables you to retain full (or part) ownership of the underlying land while generating income from its development. It is particularly suited to landowners who view their land as a legacy asset and want long-term wealth preservation.

Is this structure legally protected in South Africa?

Yes. Long-term notarial leases (99 years) are recognised and enforceable under South African property law and registered at the Deeds Office. When development leases and end-user leases are drafted and registered correctly, they create enforceable, tradable real rights that give comfort to homeowners, property owners and financiers. The Deeds Office registration is what underpins the legal security and from that flows the bankability of leasehold developments.

What are the typical lease terms and financial benefits?

Each structure is tailored, but generally:​

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• Long-term leases of 99 years

• Retain ownership of the land in perpetuity

• Maintain control and influence over the land's long-term use and legacy

• Access the best-in-class developers without selling your core asset

• Landowners benefit from capital appreciation over time without needing to fund the development

• Generate short- to medium-term capital through upfront lease premium payments

• Earn long-term passive income via annual lease payments

What types of developments does Zebinvest focus on?

We develop and enable:

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• Retirement and lifestyle villages

• Affordable and middle-income residential precincts

• Retail and shopping nodes

• Mixed-use urban developments

• Commercial and light industrial nodes

Our developments are designed to catalyse economic activity, urban integration and long-term sustainability.

How does the partnership process work?

Our engagement process includes:

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1. Site Assessment – Technical, planning and commercial feasibility

2. Partnership Proposal – Leasehold structure and commercial terms

3. Legal Framework – Drafting and signing of development lease and JV agreements

4. Development Enablement – Planning approvals, funding and partner onboarding

5. Project Execution – Development and asset realisation

What risks are involved and how are they managed?

Once the development lease is concluded, Zebinvest assumes full responsibility for funding, building, and marketing the project. The landowner remains passive.

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Risks are significantly reduced for landowners due to:

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• No requirement for direct capital investment

• Professional development and legal execution by Zebinvest

• Clear lease agreements that safeguard landowner rights

• Transparent governance and milestone reporting

Will I have control or input in the development process?

​Yes. We work collaboratively with landowners. You may have representation in project steering, and we ensure your long-term values and interests are aligned and protected.

Who manages the legal and commercial structuring?

Zebinvest together with their specialist legal partner facilitates the structuring, negotiation, and legal execution of all leasehold agreements, ensuring alignment between landowner, investor, financiers and end user market needs.

I want to explore a partnership. What’s the next step?

We invite you to contact our executive team for a confidential discussion and preliminary assessment.

Email: warren@zebinvest.co.za
Phone: +27 78 451 8577