How do I maintain my geyser?
[Updated 7 May 2025)] We are often asked: “How can I maintain my geyser? There are no moving parts!” The truth is that most standard electric geysers in South Africa…
Mike Addison
Composition of the sectional title policy
A typical building’s policy comprises two parts: the policy wording and the policy schedule. Sometimes a third part, a schedule of replacement values, is attached, although often taken as part…
Is trustee indemnity cover a requirement?
(Updated 24 February 2025) If the prescribed management rule is read and interpreted in accordance with standard insurance definitions of public liability, it is reasonable to conclude that trustee indemnity…
Owners and the schedule of replacement values
(Updated 12 December 2024) A schedule of replacement values (SRV) needs to be prepared, by the body corporate, ahead of each AGM, so that owners can agree and vote on…
Slip and fall on common property
“The body corporate is in virtually the same position as a landlord, hotel owner or shopkeeper, who by his or her control over property, has a legal duty to take…
Furnishing advice for sectional title schemes
“The insurance advice process in the sectional title environment is even more important”. Question: The FAIS Act (Financial Services and Intermediary Services Act) applies to all financial advice. How is…
The definition of a building
[Updated: 11 August 2025] When it comes to insuring a building, definitions do matter, and they are not always the same. Interestingly, the term “building” can mean different things depending…
Homeowners’ associations and insurance
[Updated: 22 August 2025] Community schemes are usually structured as sectional title schemes or HOAs (homeowners’ associations). The HOAs are usually either in the form of an association with a…
Sectional title insurance and power surge
With load shedding upon us again, incidents of power surges become more prevalent. What is a power surge? A power surge is a form of electrical power disturbance. There are…
Better informed trustees reduce risk
[Updated: 25 August 2025] When things go wrong in a sectional title scheme, we often hear “Nobody told us about that!” or “How were we expected to know?” Trusteeship (or…