How to deal with illegal structures
[Updated: 30 May 2025] Illegal structures erected by sectional title owners remain a persistent challenge in community schemes. Let’s explore a common example and unpack the implications: The scenario An…
Addsure
Swimming pool safety requirements, guidelines, and best practices
(Updated 6 January 2025) There are regulations pertaining to safety ‘in and around’ swimming pools that relate to private swimming pools. Swimming pools that are situated in the grounds of…
New developments and sectional title insurance
Risk usually passes upon registration of the first unit in a scheme, i.e. when the body corporate is formed. Getting the new body corporate policy right is important. Usually, the…
Load shedding, community living and risk
Load shedding is here and likely to be with us for a while. Load shedding brings with it a higher risk situation for owners, both concerning the buildings and common…
Replacement values and legislation
(Updated: 6 January 2025) This article unpacks the legislation and prescribed rules related to replacement values, summarising them in layman’s terms: Section 3.(1)(h) of the Sectional Title Schemes Management Act…
Damage caused by ants, termites, vermin, etc.
Does the body corporate’s insurance policy cover damage to an owner’s section or common property resulting from an infestation of ants, termites, rats, birds, etc.? The short answer is “No”.…
Settling claims in a sectional title environment
[Updated: 04 August 2025] Sectional Title is unique in many ways. When one divides a building with “imaginary lines” that function much like the borders of a country, it becomes…
When additional cover is needed
[Updated: 31 July 2025] The term “additional cover” often comes up in sectional title conversations, but it is easy to see why it causes confusion. Depending on the context, it…
Items in the open
[Updated: 12 April 2026] In providing insurance cover for the insured property an insurer and the insured property owner should consider all the actual and potential risks associated with the…
How to ensure that your insurance claim is resolved quickly
It is of critical importance that insurance claim forms are completed fully and that all details of the loss and/or damages are provided. The cause of the loss/damage must be…