What SBL Incorporated does

SBL Incorporated is a South African law firm founded in 2008 that specializes in property law, with eviction proceedings as its core service line. The firm serves landlords, property managers, commercial property owners, and SMEs, offering full-service residential and commercial evictions (including PIE and ESTA Act proceedings), conveyancing, debt collection, labour law (CCMA representation), compliance (POPIA, PAIA, FICA), notarial services, intellectual property, juristic entity formation, and wills and estates. Operations span three offices — Johannesburg (regional HQ, Weltevredenpark), Pretoria (Menlyn Maine), and Cape Town (V&A Waterfront) — supported by a 25-person team comprising 3 directors, 5 legal practitioners, a business consultant, and approximately 10 support staff including paralegals and messengers.

The firm's technological footprint is conventional for a professional services firm: no proprietary platforms are disclosed, and service delivery is centered on direct attorney-client interaction supplemented by online case assessment enquiry forms, a YouTube channel of educational content, and a recently launched Legal Documents Shop offering ready-to-use templates across business contracts, compliance, HR, and property categories. The revenue model is predominantly professional services (billable-hour legal work) across twelve service lines, supplemented by one-time license fees from the document shop and bespoke training engagements for property practitioners and HR professionals. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the firm states pricing is "tailored to each enquiry."

The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer and channel-driven: client acquisition combines direct office consultations, online enquiry capture, and long-standing relationships with South Africa's largest real estate franchises and property groups — RE/MAX SA, Chas Everitt, Rawson Property Group, Seeff, Just Property, and Growthpoint Properties (a client since 2011). Brand authority is reinforced by Cilna Steyn's authorship of 'The Landlord's Guide – Property Rental and Eviction' (2015), LexisNexis contributions, six consecutive ROCCI awards (2015–2019), and the firm's co-founding of the Property Law Alliance. Marketing channels include content marketing, YouTube, social media, radio appearances, and industry partnerships with SAPOA, PPRA, REBOSA, and IEASSA.

Name

SBL Incorporated

Legal name

SBL Incorporated

Website

https://sbllaw.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SBL Incorporated is a South African law firm specializing in property law, evictions, and related legal services, serving landlords, property managers, and investors through offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg, Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Legal Services - Evictions: Full-service residential and commercial eviction legal services including breach letters, lease cancellation, statutory applications (PIE & ESTA), court representation, and sheriff handovers. Revenue is generated through professional fees for legal services rendered.
2. Conveyancing Services: Boutique conveyancing services including residential and commercial property transfers, sectional title transactions, bond registrations and cancellations, deceased estate transfers, and property due-diligence assistance.
3. Wills, Estates & Tax Services: Estate planning and administration including custom wills, trust formation, estate administration, tax guidance, and deceased estate property transfers.
4. Labour Law Services: CCMA representation, disciplinary hearings, HR advisory, policy drafting, and workplace investigations for employers.
5. Debt Collection: Rental arrears recovery, general debt collection, utility disconnection applications, letters of demand, and legal enforcement.
6. Compliance Services: POPIA compliance, PAIA manuals, FICA onboarding, HR compliance, workplace policies, and governance support.
7. Training Services: Specialized training for property practitioners, landlords, HR professionals, and businesses. Training covers property law, rental management, lease agreements, labour law, compliance, and intellectual property.
8. Legal Document Shop: Ready-to-use legal document templates across categories including business contracts, compliance, HR & employment, marriage & family, and property.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SBL Incorporated is a South African law firm providing specialist property and eviction legal services to landlords, property managers, and investors. The firm's core offerings cover residential and commercial evictions (including breach letters, lease cancellation, statutory applications under PIE and ESTA, court representation, and sheriff handovers), conveyancing, debt collection, labour law, compliance, notarial services, wills and estates, intellectual property, and contract drafting. The firm also delivers professional training programs and sells ready-to-use legal document templates online.

Product overview

SBL Incorporated is a South African law firm operating as a single-practice entity offering legal services centered on eviction and property law. The firm provides twelve distinct service lines organized around its core specialization: Evictions (residential and commercial), supplemented by Compliance, Conveyancing, Contracts, Notarial Services, Intellectual Property, Juristic Entities, Wills & Estates, Debt Collection, and Labour Law. The firm also offers two supplementary offerings: Training Services (professional development programs for property and HR practitioners) and a Legal Documents Shop (ready-to-use legal templates sold online).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Evictions (Residential & Commercial) Full-service eviction representation for landlords and property owners covering residential evictions under the PIE and ESTA Acts and commercial evictions through High Court or Magistrate's Court. Includes breach letters, lease cancellation, statutory applications, court representation, and sheriff handovers. Targeted at landlords, property managers, and commercial property owners in South Africa.
• Compliance Regulatory compliance advisory covering POPIA, PAIA, FICA, HR compliance, workplace policies, governance frameworks, and internal audits to identify operational gaps and risks. Targeted at businesses, landlords, and property managers requiring regulatory compliance support in South Africa.
• Conveyancing Boutique property transfer services including residential and commercial transfers, sectional title transactions, bond registrations and cancellations, deceased estate transfers, and property due-diligence assistance. Targeted at property buyers, sellers, and estate administrators in South Africa.
• Contracts Drafting and review of installment sale agreements, lease agreements, settlement agreements, credit and loan agreements, service-level agreements, and employment or contractor agreements. Targeted at businesses and individuals requiring tailored legal contracts.
• Notarial Services Notarial certification and authentication services including antenuptial and postnuptial contracts, apostilles, document authentication, and notarial deeds. Targeted at individuals and businesses requiring notarial certification in South Africa.
• Intellectual Property IP protection services covering trademark searches and registrations, trademark renewals, CIPC filings, IP portfolio strategy, and protection against infringement. Targeted at brand owners and businesses in South Africa seeking trademark and IP protection.
• Juristic Entities Business formation and structuring services including company registrations, MOI drafting and amendments, restructuring, governance updates, compliance filings, and partnership arrangements. Targeted at entrepreneurs and SMEs requiring company setup and governance support in South Africa.
• Wills, Estates & Tax Estate planning and administration including custom wills, trust formation and advice, estate administration, tax-related guidance on estates, and deceased property transfers. Targeted at individuals, families, and estate executors in South Africa.
• Debt Collection Structured debt recovery services covering rental arrears recovery, general debt collection, utility disconnection applications, letters of demand, acknowledgments of debt, and legal enforcement. Targeted at landlords, businesses, and creditors seeking recovery of outstanding debts in South Africa.
• Labour Law Employment law advisory and representation including CCMA representation, disciplinary hearings, warning letters, document drafting, internal process guidance, HR advisory, policy drafting, and workplace investigations. Targeted at employers and HR professionals in South Africa.
• Training Services Specialized professional training across property law, labour and HR, compliance, intellectual property, and SME sectors, delivered in-person, online, or via pre-recorded content for property practitioners, landlords, agents, employers, and businesses. Targeted at property practitioners, landlords, HR professionals, and business owners seeking professional development.
• Legal Documents Shop Online shop offering ready-to-use legal document templates for purchase, including business contracts, compliance templates, HR and employment agreements, marriage and family documents, and property-related documents. Targeted at individuals, landlords, and small businesses needing standardized legal documentation in South Africa.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17+ years of dedicated service in property and eviction law
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Growthpoint PropertiesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2011Long-standing client since March 2011. Growthpoint Properties, a major REIT, uses SBL extensively for rental collections and property litigation. Walter Kruger, Credit Manager, provides testimonial endorsement.
• Property Law AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by Cilna Steyn, Managing Director of SBL. A group of independent specialist eviction attorneys dedicated to bringing real solutions and answers to landlords and rental agents. This represents a core strategic initiative for industry collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Law Society of South AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBL Directors and Associate Attorney serve on the Law Society of South Africa's panel of experts. The firm presents seminars on behalf of LSSA: LEAD, educating attorneys nationally on eviction procedures and rental claims. This partnership reinforces the firm's professional credibility.
• SAPOA (South African Property Owners Association)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerCilna Steyn joined SAPOA as a trainer in 2022. Provides training, legal opinions, and advisory services to and on behalf of the association.
• PPRA (Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerSBL provides training and legal advice to and on behalf of PPRA, supporting compliance and regulatory understanding within the property sector.
• REBOSA (Real Estate Business Owners of South Africa)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerSBL provides training and legal opinions to and on behalf of REBOSA, supporting real estate professionals with compliance and regulatory guidance.
• IEASSA (Institute of Estate Agents of South Africa)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerSBL provides training and legal opinions to and on behalf of IEASSA, supporting estate agents with property law expertise.
• RE/MAX SAmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRE/MAX SA utilizes SBL for training and legal consultation services for their national rental teams. Ryan Pillay, Business Development Consultant & National Training Manager, provides testimonial endorsement.
• Rawson Property GroupmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong and highly beneficial partnership. SBL provides expertise in property and rental law supporting their rapidly growing rental division. SBL updated their national lease agreement now used across all franchises. Tony Clarke, Managing Director, provides endorsement.
• Seeff Property GroupmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeeff is proud to be associated with SBL and Cilna Steyn, recognized as an authority on rental matters. Tracy Manning from Head Office provides endorsement.
• Chas EverittmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSBL renders continuous professional and efficient service for Chas Everitt national operations. Barry Fourie, National Operations Manager, provides endorsement.
• Just PropertymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSBL provides exemplary service to Just Property with pragmatic and practical approach to law. Head Office provides endorsement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ENSafrica (Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs): ENSafrica is one of Africa's largest law firms with a substantial real estate and property practice. Comparable to SBL for property legal services to institutional and commercial clients, though operating across the full pan-African continent and multiple practice areas.
• Werksmans Attorneys: Werksmans is a leading South African commercial law firm with a recognized property practice. Comparable to SBL for property legal services serving commercial landlords, but operating at significantly larger scale and across broader practice areas including corporate and litigation.
• Bowmans: Bowmans is a leading pan-African law firm with a substantial real estate and property practice in South Africa. Comparable to SBL as a competing provider of property legal services to institutional landlords, REITs, and commercial clients, though with significantly broader scope across corporate, banking, and tax.
• DLA Piper Africa: DLA Piper Africa is a pan-African legal network with substantial South African coverage and real estate capabilities. Comparable to SBL for property legal services but operating as part of a global legal network with international cross-border capability.
• Eversheds Sutherland (South Africa): Eversheds Sutherland's South African office provides full-service legal advice including real estate practice. Comparable to SBL for property legal services, though operating as part of a global firm with substantially broader resources and international reach.
• Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr: Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is a major South African law firm with a recognized real estate and property litigation practice. Comparable to SBL for property legal services to commercial landlords and developers, though operating at a much larger scale across multiple practice areas.
• Webber Wentzel: Webber Wentzel is one of South Africa's largest full-service law firms with a strong real estate practice serving major institutional clients. Comparable to SBL for property-related matters but competing at a much larger enterprise scale with broader practice areas.
• Spoor & Fisher: Spoor & Fisher is a leading South African IP-focused law firm and one of SBL's specialist peers. Comparable in operating as a boutique specialist firm with deep domain expertise and serving enterprise clients (SBL also offers IP registration services alongside its core eviction practice).

Others

• Strata-g (PayProp): PayProp is a leading South African property management and rental collection automation platform used by property practitioners and landlords. Comparable to SBL as an ecosystem participant serving the same landlord and property manager customer base with adjacent (rather than directly competing) rental management and collection services.

Regional players

• LegalWise: LegalWise is a South African subscription-based legal services provider offering access to attorneys across property, family, and labour law matters. Comparable to SBL as a competing provider of legal services to South African consumers and landlords, though operating on a subscription/membership model rather than specialized eviction boutique.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWf0_qjp0AtgUE6gDszrmQw
• Facebookfacebook.com/share/18YgDwiByk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sbl-incorporated
• Instagraminstagram.com/sbllaw_incorporated?igsh=NzBmM3NjMWxzeGQ1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SBL Incorporated