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FROM OUR BLOG
Project funding: a case study
Community schemes are often left in the unenviable position where they require an urgent ad-hoc service or project to be completed, but don't necessarily have the funds in reserve at...
Seven steps to secure your complex ahead of the festive season
Holidays are notorious for being a risky time for crimes like burglaries and break-ins. December is just around the corner and many people are planning to go away over the...
Obtaining a special resolution is not rocket science
It’s best to pay attention or you can fail on technicalities. A special resolution could only be successfully passed if the prescribed procedures were followed, and the appropriate majorities voted in...
Retire in comfort: what are your options?
Retirement villages come in various shapes and sizes, and it is essential to know and understand the different structures applicable to these community schemes. There are three types of structures: Ownership...
Growing your retirement community
Financial times are tough for everybody, including senior citizens. There are ways for community schemes to supplement their levy income. One of which is through advertising income, such as Sectional...
10-Year Maintenance Plan: wasted opportunity or meaningful exercise?
Many bodies corporate have a 10-Year Maintenance Plan but then simply use it as a tick box exercise. Even if the development of the plan is done with adequate participation...
Here’s to Your Best Years!
South Africa commemorates Older Persons Week from 26 September to 2 October. International Day of Older Persons is celebrated on 1 October every year....
Court finds withholding levies = grasping at straws
Most of us know that purchasing a unit in a community scheme would require the payment of levies. However, a defaulting unit owner attempted to justify the withholding of levies...
Creating a buzzzz around our beloved honeybees
STS places high value on making an impact on the world and preserving our natural resources for future generations. Sustainability is not only a major consideration in how we conduct...
Load shedding woes - it is time to see the light
It’s probably safe to say that most South Africans are beyond fed-up with our unreliable electricity supply. We’ve already had an extraordinary amount of load-shedding during this...
Considering women’s contribution to bodies corporate
In a world that generally runs at a frantic pace, I truly enjoy days of the year set aside to commemorate special people and moments in life, such as the...
Superfast internet for your community scheme
With our fibre to the home installation, you can enjoy better speeds, smarter living, and increased security whilst adding to the desirability and value of your property....
You still save with solar
The headline of a recent article conveying Eskom’s intention to charge grid-tied solar users a flat rate of R938 per month has caused quite a furore. According...
Getting solar installed in your community scheme
South African households are plagued by unpredictable power outages that last for hours, sometimes days. They also endure scheduled electricity cuts, known as load shedding or load reduction, where power...
Executive Managing Agents for community schemes
When the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act came into effect in October 2016, it introduced and made provision for a new role; the Executive Managing Agent (EMA). Watch as STS Legal Professional...
Navigating the community scheme lending space - practical considerations
When you buy a unit in a sectional title scheme, you are also buying into the assets and liabilities of the whole scheme. Sometimes, that scheme has arrear levy debt...
A smarter way to evaluate an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
A reliable internet connection is crucial to smarter living. It carries with it the benefits of home automation, access to online entertainment including music and movie streaming, online gaming, and...
Ratifying community scheme resolutions — who has the power?
The full bench decision (three judges) of the Pietermaritzburg High Court, in the case of Derby Downs Management Association v Assegaai River Properties (Pty) Ltd and Another...
Demystifying the various types of resolutions in community schemes
Let's face it, complying with all the relevant legislation and community scheme governance documentation is anything but child's play. For example, the different types of resolutions and requirements in the...
5 things to look out for in a digital visitor management system
The demand for property inside schemes exceeds that of free-standing property, and security is probably one of the main reasons for this. But are community schemes really...
Energy independence bolted onto your Solar solution
South Africans are in a dark place. Not just because of rising unemployment and prime interest rates, or escalating food and fuel prices, but because everything seems to be going...
New clarifications on appeals against CSOS Adjudication Orders
By now, we know that in terms of s 57(1) of the Community Schemes Ombud Service Act[1] (“the CSOS Act”), an applicant, the community scheme, or any affected...
Get your electricity bill dropping quicker than the temperature
Eish, winter is coming - but with the cost of electricity rising, it seems that those of us without a cosy fireplace might either be left out of pocket or...
Tip the scales in favour of your scheme’s assets
We have talked a lot about what happens when community schemes run into trouble because of arrear levy debt or urgent unexpected expenses. However, on the flip side, well-managed and...