When selecting a property management company to manage your body corporate or HOA, it is vital to ensure that your community scheme’s funds will be administered professionally. It is essential to deal with a reputable and established property management company with a proven track record. The property management company must be registered with the Estate Agency Affairs Board and hold a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sectional title scheme?
A sectional title scheme is a property development where individuals own separate sections, such as apartments, townhouses or offices, while sharing ownership of common property like gardens, driveways, lifts, roofs and recreational facilities.
The scheme is governed by the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act (STSMA) and managed by a body corporate, which is responsible for maintaining the common property and overseeing the scheme’s finances and administration.
What is a Home Owners Association?
A Homeowners’ Association (HOA) is an organisation that manages and governs a residential estate or gated community. Property owners within the estate automatically become members of the HOA, which is responsible for maintaining common areas, managing security, enforcing the estate’s rules, overseeing finances and ensuring the community is well maintained for the benefit of all residents.
Most HOAs in South Africa are established as non-profit companies and are governed by the Companies Act, 2008, as well as their Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) and the estate’s governing rules.
What is a Property Owners Association?
A Property Owners Association (POA) is a legal entity that manages and maintains a residential estate, business park or mixed-use development. Unlike a sectional title scheme, where owners own sections within a building, POA members typically own individual properties and share responsibility for common areas, security and estate governance.
What is a body corporate?
All the owners in a particular complex make up the body corporate. Each member of a body corporate has a right to vote on particular issues pertaining to the complex. A body corporate is governed by the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act of 2011.
What should I look for in a property management company?
It is essential to deal with a reputable management company with a proven track record. The management company should be registered with the Estate Agency Affairs Board and hold a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate.
How do we manage a community scheme’s funds?
A separate trust account is opened by Stonewood on behalf of the community scheme. This ensures clear accounting and reporting practices with monthly reporting and reconciliation of the bank account balance. Interest earned in this account is for the benefit of the community scheme. A monthly statement of the account and bank reconciliation is accessible to the community scheme’s trustees or directors.
What does community scheme property management entail?
The day to day management of a body corporate, HOA or residential estate entails collecting all levies, financial reporting, maintenance, supplying administrative services and common area management in conjunction with the trustees or directors.
What services can you expect from your property manager?
A reputable property management company will offer the following services:
- Monthly invoicing of levies and the collection thereof.
- Financial management and reporting.
- Common property maintenance in conjunction with the trustees or directors.
- Insurance management.
- Administration of general meetings.
- Legal assistance.
How long does a management contract typically last?
Since October 2016, new legislation allows for a contract to extend up to a period of three years. Upon expiry, the management contract may be renewed for another period of three years.
Who should employ the services of a property management company?
Any community scheme with more than one unit will benefit from the expertise of a property management company.
Who is responsible for maintenance issues?
The trustees or directors are appointed by the body corporate or HOA to manage the affairs of the community scheme as well as the common property of the complex. It is not uncommon for a caretaker to be employed and to be directed by the trustees or directors with regards to the management of the common property. In the case of a residential estate or HOA, the trustees or directors are responsible for the management of the common property and any maintenance related to the upkeep of the common property. The managing agent may be required to assist the trustees or directors with any common property maintenance requirements.