MANAGEMENT
Pleasures and Pitfalls
of Sectional Title Ownership
BY MIEKE VAN RENSBURG
Y
ou are standing on the balcony of a flat
overlooking the ocean and imaging yourself
sitting on a deck chair sipping your favourite
drink. Beneath you is a lush green garden with
colourful flower beds, a play park for children and
a sparkling blue swimming pool. You have already
calculated that if you cut back on some luxuries, you
can afford to buy the flat.
Before you sign the offer to purchase, there are
a number of issues which you need to consider. As
with almost everything in life, owning a sectional
title unit has its advantages and its disadvantages.
This article aims to point out some of the pleasures
and pitfalls of sectional title ownership and to assist
you to make an informed decision.
Joint ownership
When you purchase a sectional title unit, you become
the sole owner of the unit but you share ownership
of the common property with other owners whom
you may never have met. These owners might have a
completely different understanding of the meaning
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Residential Handbook 2016/17
of a quiet party or the proper behaviour of pets or
children. They might also not regard the prompt
payment of levies as a number one priority.
The management of the scheme
The management of a sectional title scheme requires
a sound knowledge of the Sectional Titles Act and
regulations. The trustees of the body corporate are
responsible for the management of the scheme.
They often, and especially in larger schemes, appoint
a management agent. The agent has to act in
accordance with a management contract, which has
to be renewed year by year. The trustees can terminate
the contract if the agent does not do a good job, and
the owners can also insist that the services of the
agent be terminated if there are good grounds for
doing it. The agent plays a vital role and you should
do research on the background, years of experience
and standing in the market place of the agent.
Levies
•The consequences of buying a sectional title unit do
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