Why do sectional title schemes need a 10-year maintenance plan and what is its purpose? In this blog, we look at answering these questions along with listing some of the major advantages. A legal requirement In the past, many community schemes have found themselves in financial distress due to poor planning by trustees, or due to push back from owners not wanting...

In this blog, we address the confusion around exclusive use areas (EUAs) in sectional title schemes. EUAs comprises parts of the common property where specific owners enjoy exclusive use and enjoyment of these areas. The different types of usages allocated to EUAs include parking bays, storerooms, balconies, roof terraces, gardens and garages. Registering EUAs Exclusive use areas are allocated to owners...

Buying property in a community scheme remains a popular choice for many buyers whether they are first-time buyers or established buyers. Community schemes come in various shapes and sizes, and includes security estates, sectional title complexes, retirement developments and housing estates. Why are certain developments more suited to security estates or sectional title schemes? A developer may be motivated to develop a...

Changes to the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act 8 of 2011 (STSMA) on 7 October 2016 made fidelity insurance compulsory for bodies corporate. This means that the body corporate must insure itself against the potential loss of its funds by way of fraudulent or dishonest conduct by the trustees, managing agent or anybody who has access to these funds. Before the...

Short term letting is a controversial topic in sectional title for various reasons, one of which involving the uncertainty as to what is allowed and what is not. Body corporate trustees have been at loggerheads with owners, trying to get decisive rulings via the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) to solve their disputes. Regrettably, the CSOS adjudications have varied widely in...