What’s in a name?
By Anton Kelly The formal name of a home owners’ association (“HOA”) can contain significant information for owners and prospective owners of properties in the development. The name of an … Continue reading
For the record: body corporate responsibilities
By Dr Carryn Melissa Durham Administering a sectional title scheme can involve some major paper pushing. The trustees have a duty to maintain the records on behalf of the body … Continue reading
The Community Schemes Ombud Service
By Dr Carryn Melissa Durham As the Regulations are currently with Parliament, it is hoped that they will be signed during the course of this year. It is for this … Continue reading
Responsibility for boundary walls and fences
By Zerlinda van der Merwe Boundary walls and fences designate the dividing line where one property ends and another begins, and further designates the responsibility relating to these properties. Without … Continue reading
Appointing an auditor
By Dr Carryn Melissa Durham I was inspired to write this article after reading a recent post on the Paddocks Facebook page. What does the legislation say in this regard? … Continue reading
Proxies
By Zerlinda van der Merwe Sometimes the number of proxies received by the body corporate can mean the difference between whether the quorum requirements of a general meeting will be … Continue reading
Incomplete AGM
By Anton Kelly Sectional title schemes are required to hold an annual general meeting (the AGM). This is the only meeting of owners that is required as a routine. At … Continue reading
Checklist for managing agent contract
By Anton Kelly It’s surprising to hear that not all sectional title schemes have a written contract with their managing agent! I guess, if there is a long-standing good relationship … Continue reading
Homeowners’ Associations – Levy collection from demand to execution
By Zerlinda van der Merwe When a member of a homeowners’ association (“HOA”) is in arrears with their levy contributions, the trustees (of a Common Law association) or directors (of a … Continue reading
Subdivision and consolidation of sections
By Carryn Melissa Durham Initially the developer determines how the sectional plan will divide the buildings into sections and common property. It may be that in an owner is not satisfied … Continue reading
Sectional living – a tenant’s perspective
By Zerlinda van der Merwe I recently interviewed a colleague regarding her experience, living as a tenant, in sectional title schemes. Let’s call her Betty… Betty has lived in two sectional … Continue reading
Responsibility to repair and replace windows and doors
By Carryn Melissa Durham I often get queries on who is responsible for the maintenance (including repair or replacement) of windows and doors within sectional title schemes. In this article, I … Continue reading
“Bucket accounts” – Are they legal?
By Zerlinda van der Merwe Does your managing agent operate a centralised trust account, into which individual members, of each managed sectional title scheme, deposits their levy and other contributions? I … Continue reading
Change of use
By Carryn Melissa Durham It often occurs in sectional title schemes, that owners use parts of their sections or exclusive use areas for a purpose other than it was originally intended … Continue reading
Thinking Inside the Box 