Pets and property prices in sectional title schemes
By guest writer: Estie Kretschmer A few months ago I read an article by Jennifer Paddock (1), where she mentioned an Australian study about the positive influence of pet-friendly complexes on property … Continue reading
Update on the third generation sectional title legislation
By Carryn Melissa Durham There has been lots of confusion regarding the third generation sectional titles legislation. Some of the questions I am often asked are: Are the new Acts … Continue reading
Duties of managing agents
By Anton Kelly Managing agents get a lot of criticism from owners. No doubt some is justified – we all make mistakes and sometimes have gaps in our expert knowledge. To … Continue reading
Wake up and smell the POPI
By Carryn Melissa Durham The Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (“POPI”) gives effect to the constitutional right to privacy while advancing the right of access to information. The … Continue reading
Illegal and uncontrolled extensions of sections
By Anton Kelly A common problem in sectional title schemes is owners who illegally extend their sections. Probably the most typical example is enclosing patios, but often illegal extensions encroach onto … Continue reading
Appearance restrictions in community schemes
By Anton Kelly Property owners in homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and sectional title schemes often run foul of seemingly draconian rules that limit or completely remove their freedom to decide on the … Continue reading
Getting into shape in sectional title schemes: health and fitness facilities
By Carryn Melissa Durham Over the last twenty years there has been an increased focus on health and fitness. One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions made by people … Continue reading
In Defence of Managing Agents
By Jennifer Paddock Managing Agent. Now there’s a job I don’t want to do again. Why? It’s (insert expletive here) hard! It’s a job that requires a person to … Continue reading
Can the Trustees Disconnect My Electricity?
Carryn Durham, who manages the Paddocks Consulting Team, is a featured property-law expert on Property24. She recently answered a reader question about whether the trustees of a body corporate are … Continue reading
A Great Idea: Pre-purchase Reports for Sectional Title Properties
By Jennifer Paddock As many of you know, I spent a few years living in Australia and working in Strata (Sectional) Title there. In Australia, when a person is looking … Continue reading
Warring Neighbours in a Sectional Title Duet
By Prof. Graham Paddock The term ‘duet’ normally suggests cooperation and harmony, but in the world of sectional title, it has a less appealing connotation. I read with interest the … Continue reading
Must an Owner Pay for a New Exclusive Use Right?
By Prof. Graham Paddock Owners and trustees in sectional schemes regularly enquire whether the body corporate can charge money for the grant of exclusive use rights. Typically, the common property … Continue reading
Chairpersons in Sectional Title: What You Need to Know
By Jennifer Paddock In sectional title schemes the chairperson can be mistaken for (or decide to be) “the king of the castle”. But although a committed chairperson may well work … Continue reading
The Theft of Funds from Sectional Title Schemes: Managing Agency Malfeasance
By Prof. Paddock According to a recent Personal Finance report, the Estate Agency Affairs Board is dealing with another theft by a managing agent, this being the most recent … Continue reading
Thinking Inside the Box 