Solar and Efficient Archives | Sectional Title Solutions

25 March 2025 Solar and Efficient

Understanding the risks of solar batteries and how STS ensures safety

As the demand for solar energy grows in South Africa, more community schemes are investing in solar and battery backup solutions to mitigate load shedding and reduce electricity costs.

25 March 2025 Water Management

Secure, save, and sustain: tap into water management solutions for your sectional title scheme

As South Africa observes National Water Week from March 20 to 26, culminating in World Water Day on March 22, the nation reflects on the critical importance of water conservation and sustainable management.

24 March 2025 Legal and Advisory

"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.

21 March 2025 Funding and Treasury

Managing risks in community schemes: How STS can help

Community schemes, such as complexes, estates and homeowners’ associations (HOAs), offer residents the benefits of shared resources, enhanced security, and well-maintained common areas. However, they also come with unique risks that, if not properly managed, can lead to financial strain, legal disputes, and operational disruptions.

19 March 2025 Legal and Advisory, Water Management

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.

21 February 2025 Community

Celebrating excellence: the inaugural Invictus Awards 2025

At STS, we believe in recognising and celebrating the incredible talent, dedication, and hard work of our employees. This belief led to the launch of our first-ever Invictus Awards in 2025, under the theme “Striving for Excellence in Everything We Do.”

21 February 2025 Community

STS Growth: revolutionising B-BBEE spend and community financing in South Africa

STS Growth (Pty) Ltd ("STSG") is redefining community financing in South Africa. As a majority Black-owned Level 2 B-BBEE contributor, STSG is dedicated to supporting sectional title bodies corporate and homeowners’ associations through innovative funding solutions that promote financial sustainability, social equity, and environmental responsibility.

21 February 2025 Legal and Advisory

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.

29 January 2025 Water Management

Proactive water management: a necessity for South African community schemes

South Africa is facing a growing water crisis that is no longer just a concern for government planners or environmentalists - it's a reality affecting households and communities across the country, specifically in Gauteng.

22 January 2025 Legal and Advisory

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.

20 January 2025 Funding and Treasury, Legal and Advisory

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.

17 January 2025 Smart Technology

Navigating WhatsApp etiquette in community scheme groups

In today's digital age, communication has evolved, and platforms like WhatsApp have become integral tools for fostering connectivity and collaboration within community schemes. WhatsApp groups offer a convenient way for residents, trustees, and managing agents to communicate efficiently, share information, and address common concerns.

A smiling lady with headphones behind a laptop

3 January 2025 Community, Legal and Advisory, Update

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.

18 December 2024 Legal and Advisory

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]

26 November 2024 Legal and Advisory

The abstention dilemma: to count or not to count when voting?

In the complex world of sectional title management, even apparently straightforward aspects like voting procedures can spark lively debates among industry professionals. Recently, our Western Cape Regional Sales Manager, Brendon Levin, raised an intriguing question with us following a general meeting of a body corporate for purposes of borrowing funds.

26 November 2024 Funding and Treasury

Shared spaces, shared costs – who is responsible for maintenance and repairs in sectional title?

In well-known Home Box Office (HBO) series, Game of Thrones, and the related novels by George R.R. Martin, characters Jon Snow and Maester Aemon often talk about the Wall’s importance in protecting all of Westeros. The Wall is not just the responsibility of the Night’s Watch; it protects the entire realm.

24 November 2024 Legal and Advisory

From sink to sunk: how throwing the “kitchen sink" can fall flat in court

In legal disputes, there are moments when one party resorts to a “kitchen sink” approach, throwing a multitude of technical defences and procedural challenges at a case in hopes that something will stick and possibly delay the inevitable.

22 November 2024 Solar and Efficient

Facing Eskom’s proposed 36.1% electricity hike in 2025: how our solutions could be a game changer

Eskom’s proposed electricity price hike of 36.1% in 2025 looms large over South African households, businesses, and community schemes. If approved, the increase will hit communities already grappling with high living costs and economic strain, leaving many struggling to keep up with rising utility bills.

18 November 2024 Legal and Advisory, Update

Sequestration and judicial discretion

Dura lex, sed lex is a Latin phrase meaning “the law is hard, but it is the law”.[1] This legal maxim captures the principle that law must be applied and enforced, even when the outcome may be harsh or regrettable.[2] In Les Misérables, Victor Hugo explores this theme through characters like Inspector Javert, who embodies the unyielding rigidity of the law in contrast to the compassion often needed in justice.

18 November 2024 Legal and Advisory

Trustee troubles: Personal costs and indemnity

In sectional title schemes and bodies corporate, trustees occupy a critical role. They have to balance their fiduciary duties with the potential personal risks inherent in their position. These risks include financial risks.

18 November 2024 Legal and Advisory, Update

It’s just not cricket: cost orders against CSOS and its adjudicators

The 2019 Cricket World Cup Final between England and New Zealand was marked by an umpiring controversy that left a lasting impact on the cricketing world.[1]

30 October 2024 Water Management

Water shedding in South Africa: what homeowners need to know

As South Africa bids farewell to load shedding, there’s a new term emerging in the public discourse: water shedding. While it may seem like a distant concern for many, the reality is that water shortages are becoming a significant challenge for the country.

29 October 2024 Funding and Treasury, Legal and Advisory

Understanding sectional title levies: A comprehensive guide for trustees and managing agents

In the world of sectional title ownership, levies are a critical financial mechanism that ensures the proper functioning and maintenance of shared spaces and facilities.

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