One of the biggest challenges faced by trustees and managing agents is dealing with residents who refuse to comply with the rules of a sectional title scheme. Whether it is persistent noise, unauthorised pets, illegal parking, alterations without approval or nuisance behaviour, failing to address rule violations can quickly lead to conflict within the community. Fortunately, South Africa's Sectional Titles Schemes...

Property Owners' Associations (POAs) play a vital role in the management of many residential estates, commercial office parks, industrial parks, and mixed-use developments across South Africa. Their purpose is to protect the value of the development, maintain shared infrastructure and ensure that the community is managed efficiently and fairly. What is a Property Owners' Association? A Property Owners' Association is a legal...

Insurance protects one of your biggest investments, but many sectional title owners and HOA members only think about it when something goes wrong. Understanding how your community scheme's insurance works can help you avoid costly misunderstandings and ensure you are properly protected. Know what is covered In most sectional title schemes, the body corporate is responsible for insuring the buildings and common...

In July 2025, the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) introduced its Consolidated Practice Directives 1 of 2025. These directives replace previous CSOS circulars, guidelines, and practice directives, creating a single reference document for community schemes across South Africa. The aim is to improve consistency, governance, compliance, and dispute resolution within sectional title schemes and homeowners' associations. For sectional title owners, understanding...

Living in a sectional title scheme or HOA means sharing space, rules, and responsibilities with many different people. Even in well-managed communities, conflict is common - usually over noise, parking, pets, levies, or maintenance. Understanding why conflict happens can help trustees and managing agents respond more effectively and prevent issues from escalating. Why conflict is so common in shared living People naturally...