Legal and Property Advice from the Professionals
This week the panel tackles a reader's question about the calculation of levies and explains how special levies are divided between owners in a sectional title complex. The reader describes her complex as consisting of nine units, all of which are roughly the same size, give or take a few square metres. She would like to know whether this means that all owners should pay approximately the same … [Read more...]
Our panel is often asked to deal with a variety of issues relating to sectional title complexes, from problems between neighbours to maintenance of the common property. This week's reader question is a classic example of the latter. The reader explains that he has owned and lived in his unit for some time. Approximately two years ago, he approached the trustees of the complex about paving a … [Read more...]
With all the rain that has fallen across the country recently, it is not surprising to hear from a reader who complains about the manner in which his neighbour diverts stormwater runoff. He writes that his neighbour has made numerous holes in their shared boundary wall, diverting stormwater to the reader's side. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the properties are on an incline, with … [Read more...]
This week our panel examines the familiar topic of sectional title complexes – specifically where the unit owner's responsibility stops and the duties of the trustees and body corporate begin. A reader sets out a scenario in which she was asked by the body corporate to have a gate fitted in her boundary wall to allow the gardening service access to the back garden, which is allocated to her … [Read more...]
This week our panel of experts ventures into the murky waters of common property versus exclusive use areas in a sectional title complex. A reader writes that he previously owned a unit with an open parking area and obtained written consent to enclose the area. He later sold this unit and moved to another one in the same complex. The exclusive use of the parking area was included in the sale … [Read more...]
The question posed to our panel this week revolves around the issue of the liability to maintain the various areas that a sectional title complex consist of. Our reader states that he understands the maintenance in respect of the outside area of the complex to be the responsibility of the body corporate. He specifically raises the issue of ants infesting the paving in respect of the patio … [Read more...]
The position of a satellite dish on a unit in a sectional title complex is the topic of this week’s reader question. A tenant has installed the dish, apparently without permission, on the fascia board of his flat and the owner – who says the dish is in the same position as a previous one – refuses to order the tenant to place it in a suitable position. The trustees have ordered the … [Read more...]
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