Resources

FROM OUR BLOG

Understanding bodies corporate and contractual capacity: a layperson’s guide

Bodies corporate are separate legal entities which are automatically created, in terms of section 2(1) of the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act[1] (“STSMA”), once any person other than the property developer becomes an owner of a unit within the Sectional Title Scheme (“scheme”).

18 April 2024 Solar and Efficient

Boosting the benefits of your solar PV with a Battery Backup solution

As South Africans brace for the winter months, energy security becomes a paramount concern for homeowners and businesses alike. With the looming challenge of load shedding and the escalating cost of electricity, investing in a battery backup system offers not just an added layer of protection, but a multitude of advantages.

28 March 2024 Funding and Treasury

Securing your investment: A guide to 10-Year maintenance plans for sectional title schemes

Owning property in South Africa is not just about acquiring a piece of land or a building—it's about safeguarding and nurturing that investment for the long haul. This holds especially true for sectional title schemes where communal living adds layers of complexity to property maintenance.

27 March 2024 Funding and Treasury, Legal and Advisory

When it’s urgent, who do you call and how? The trustees' resolution to call a Special General Meeting on an urgent basis

When determining the required notice period for a general meeting, the starting point should be to determine what business the body corporate seeks to conclude in the general meeting.

25 March 2024 Funding and Treasury, Legal and Advisory

Who foots the bill?

Some of the main reasons people invest in property in community schemes are the convenience and cost-effectiveness of shared responsibility and costs. However, who pays for what maintenance and repairs also result in some of the most heated debates regarding sectional title schemes (“schemes”).

15 March 2024 Solar and Efficient

5 things to consider when installing a roof-mounted solar system in your community scheme

Persistent load-shedding and tariff hikes resulted in many body corporates enquiring about installing Solar Solutions in their community schemes. Installing solar power will not only help reduce your utility bill, but also increase the value of your home and contribute to the green economy by reducing your carbon footprint.

23 February 2024 Funding and Treasury

Bridging the power gap: navigating municipal challenges and securing finance with STS

In a decisive move, the City of Tshwane launched a revenue-collection campaign, disconnecting electricity to non-paying customers in early February 2022. They've upheld their commitment to a "no fear, no favour" approach, targeting approximately 533 government accounts and 528 business accounts.

23 February 2024 Funding and Treasury

How to calculate your contributions to the reserve fund

In the past, many bodies corporate neglected to plan for unforeseen maintenance costs, leaving unit owners to foot the bill through special levies. However, since October 2016, bodies corporate are mandated to maintain a reserve fund, ensuring funds are available for common property upkeep.

23 February 2024 Community, Funding and Treasury

Gated communities: what impact do they have on property values?

Gated communities have emerged as a favoured choice in real estate, offering homeowners security, privacy, exclusivity, and a plethora of amenities. With this luxurious lifestyle option comes the question of how these developments impact property values.

16 February 2024 Funding and Treasury

Empowering communities: How STS Funding transforms property in South Africa

In today’s challenging economic climate in South Africa, homeowners and community schemes face a myriad of financial pressures. Rising interest rates, increased living costs, and ongoing issues like load-shedding and crime compound these challenges.

A smiling family in front of a green lawn

22 January 2024 Community, Outdoor, Solar and Efficient

Sustainability measures to save costs and increase property value

Henry David Thoreau once asked, "What is the use of a house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on?" As the world faces pressing environmental issues, it is crucial to take part in protecting the planet, and the property sector is no exception.

22 January 2024 Legal and Advisory

Furry friends or foes? Deciphering pet regulations in community schemes

The multiple facets of pet ownership require careful consideration before an owner introduces their pet into a residence within various sectional title schemes, as this issue has frequently sparked disputes among owners (members), tenants, and bodies corporate.