What You Post in Your Scheme’s WhatsApp Group Could Land You in Trouble

Almost every sectional title scheme in South Africa has one now: a WhatsApp group for owners and residents. Used well, it’s a genuinely useful tool for quick notices about water outages, lost pets, parking issues, or an upcoming AGM. Used badly, it becomes the place where a noise complaint turns into a public accusation, a […]

When Conduct Rules Go Too Far: Your Rights in a Sectional Title Scheme

Most conduct rules are practical and uncontroversial. Rules about noise after a certain hour, the storage of items on balconies, or waste disposal procedures are routine. But not all conduct rules stay within reasonable boundaries. Some schemes have attempted to enforce rules or make decisions that restrict residents and third parties in ways the law […]

Sectional Title Arrears Collections: A Legal Perspective for 2025

Sectional titles remain one of South Africa’s most popular property ownership models, offering community-style living, shared security, and reduced maintenance burdens. However, arrear levies are the biggest ongoing challenge that can disrupt even the best-run schemes. Overdue payments from sectional title owners to the body corporate are not only an administrative challenge but also carry […]

All Our Trustees Have Resigned. What Now?

What happens if all the trustees of a sectional title scheme resign? Who is then in control of the management, and who is entitled to continue exercising the function and powers of the body corporate, which is entrusted to the trustees by virtue of the Sectional Title Schemes Management Act 8 of 2011 (STSMA)? The […]

Understanding Homeowners Associations (HOAs)

If you are considering buying a property in a housing development, it’s essential to understand what a Homeowners Association (HOA) is and how it operates. HOAs are legal entities responsible for managing and regulating housing development schemes. Although homeowners own their individual properties, the HOA maintains and oversees communal infrastructure, such as roads, security systems, […]