24 April 2025 ,

Plugged in and playing by the legal compliance rules: when sectional title schemes go solar

Switching to solar is a smoother journey for some than for others. For those living in sectional title schemes, the road can be complex: entangled in a web of legal requirements and compliance hurdles that must be carefully navigated.

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23 April 2025 ,

Can trustees increase levies without owner approval?

Levy increases are never popular, especially when they appear to arrive without warning or proper explanation. One of the most common concerns we hear from owners is this: “Can our trustees increase levies without asking us first?”

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20 April 2025

No AGMs for two years? Why that’s a serious problem in sectional title schemes

We recently received a concern from an owner whose body corporate hadn’t held an AGM in over two years. This isn’t just inconvenient, it’s a breach of legal requirements, and it leaves owners in the dark about the financial health and decisions of their scheme.

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24 March 2025

"Who do you think you are?" – the perils of misclassified identities for community schemes

“Disguise, I see, thou art a wickedness.”[1] This line from William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night perfectly encapsulates the unintended chaos that follows when identity is misunderstood or misrepresented. Like Viola, who adopts the guise of Cesario and inadvertently creates romantic confusion, emphasising the fluidity of perception, the community schemes in this case faced the complications of being treated as something they believed they were not.

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19 March 2025 ,

Implementing water solutions the right way

With South Africa's ongoing water challenges and the increasing strain on municipal water infrastructure, adopting effective water-efficient strategies is essential. Many community schemes are exploring alternative water solutions which can offer numerous benefits, from water security to cost savings.

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Transparency in Body Corporate Finances
21 February 2025

Transparency in body corporate finances

The question of whether the Promotion of Access to Information Act[1] (“PAIA”) applies to a unit owner’s request for financial information from a body corporate has been a contentious issue in the industry for a few years now, marked by conflicting interpretations and considerable debate.

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22 January 2025

A Property Practitioner’s Guide to FICA

Are you, as a Property Practitioner, aware that you could be an Accountable Institution? Are you compliant with FICA? It may seem daunting and overwhelming to know where to start, but don’t worry we’ve got you covered. Below is a guide to assist you to ensure your compliance.

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Legal Prescription of Levies
20 January 2025 ,

Is a body corporate protected from prescription of levy debts owed by its members?

The issue of whether a body corporate is shielded from the prescription of levy debts owed by members continues to be debated in the legal arena, with significant implications for sectional title schemes.

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3 January 2025 , ,

Sectional title education is crucial for the homeowner community

For most people, their home is their biggest and most important asset. However, unlike other big assets, the sectional title home tends to be the least researched and understood asset prior to purchase.

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18 December 2024

Do banks have a responsibility for levy contributions? A South African perspective

In the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, legislation imposes specific responsibilities on banks and other financial institutions, when they take possession of sectional title units (referred to as ‘strata lots’) after foreclosure.[1]

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