Our Newsletters

Rising damp

In our previous Advice from the Experts newsletter we looked at waterproofing and water ingress.

In this newsletter we will look at rising damp.

KZN Flooding

With ongoing torrential rainfall in KZN causing severe property damage as well as leaving many destitute, our claims team is on high alert to assist our mutual clients as quickly as possible.

Special procedures have been put in place to deal with the influx of claims.

Up In Flames - A good news story from Peddie

When what you've worked so hard for goes up in flames.

What happens when what you've worked so hard for goes up in flames?

In our industry we are often exposed to the devastation a fire can cause.

By sharing the story of Jules and the Super Spar fire in Peddie, we hope to give you insight into the workings of an actual large fire claim, showing how a terrible loss can be turned into something good.

Our story begins in a remote rural town called Peddie in the Eastern Cape, about an hour's drive inland from Port Alfred.

Waterproofing and Water Ingress Part 2

In Part 1 of this newsletter we looked at waterproofing and water ingress.

In Part 2 we continue to look at the responsibility of the body corporate to maintain roofs.

Waterproofing and Water Ingress Part 1

In our last newsletter we looked at the Enforcement of Rules - Dispute Resolution.

In this newsletter we look at the waterproofing and water ingress.

Enforcement of rules - Dispute Resolution Part 4

In our last newsletter we looked at different dispute resolution options for a scheme.

In this newsletter we look at the Community Schemes Ombud.

If internal mediation hasn't worked or the parties wish to avoid court or private arbitration, the body corporate or owners can approach the Ombud Service.

Message from Sasria's Managing Director

We are pleased to share the attached communication received from Sasria's Managing Director, confirming their claims paying ability and the urgency with which they are treating all outstanding Sasria claims.

Enforcement of rules - Dispute Resolution Part 3

In our last newsletter we looked at how trustees can effect maintenance and repairs to a unit for the unit owner's account.

In this newsletter we look the different dispute resolution options for a scheme.

Ensuring harmony amongst the residents of a scheme can be a tough job and having an effective dispute resolution mechanism is critical to ensure the good management and long-term wellbeing of the scheme, not to mention the sanity of the trustees!

Sasria Rate Increase 1 January 2022

Following the recent civil unrest, violence and looting and given the magnitude of these losses, Sasria has advised that they will be implementing a rate increase to specific classes of business with effect from 01 January 2022.

Enforcement of rules - Part 2

In our last newsletter we looked at the enforcement of rules in a scheme.

In this newsletter we will further look at how other types of rules can be enforced creatively and legally.

Enforcement of rules - Part 1

In our last newsletter we looked at tenants and frequently asked questions relating to tenants.

In this newsletter, we will look at the enforcement of rules in a scheme.

There is something about living in close proximity to one's neighbours that can lead to disharmony which, if not nipped in the bud can wreak havoc in a sectional title complex.

Advice From the Experts - Tenants - Part 2

In our last newsletter series we looked at tenants and who is responsible for their behaviour.

In this newsletter, we will look at tenants and frequently asked questions relating to tenants.

Sad News From CIA

It is with heavy hearts that we share the very sad news of the passing of our dear Betty Rapoo.

Betty began her CIA journey in 2007 - excelling in all she did. She was know to many, having worked her way up in CIA from tea lady, promoted to receptionist, insurance certificate consultant and lastly geyser claims consultant.

Sasria Claims

"The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

With riots, looting and violence the order of the day in many parts of the country we would like to reassure our brokers and policyholders that we are on standby and ready to assist when possible.

Newsletter Subscriber POPIA Compliance

With the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) effective from 1 July 2021 we would like to confirm that we have your consent to continue sending our newsletters to you.

CIA Privacy Policy

With the D-Day for the implementation of Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) upon us, we have developed a Privacy Policy which details how we process and protect Personal Information in accordance with the POPI Act and other relevant laws.

We are committed to dealing with your personal information in a lawful, legitimate, and responsible manner respecting the privacy of our mutual clients and brokers alike.

Advice From the Experts - Tenants - Part 1

In our last newsletter series we looked at the sectional title roleplayers.

In this new 2 part newsletter, we will look at tenants and who is responsible for the tenants behaviour.

Advice From the Experts - Tenants - Part 1

In our last newsletter series we looked at the sectional title roleplayers.

In this new 2 part newsletter, we will look at tenants and who is responsible for the tenants behaviour.

Advice From the Experts - Role Players Part 10

In Part 9 of this newsletter, we looked at the role and appointment of an administrator in a scheme.

In this newsletter, we will look at the role of the insurance valuator.

Advice From the Experts - The Body Corporate Insurance Broker Part 11

In our last newsletter we looked at the role of the insurance valuer.

In this newsletter, Part 11, we will look at the very important role of the insurance broker of a scheme.

Advice From the Experts - The Administrator Part 9

In Part 8 of this newsletter we looked at the role of the executive managing agent.

In Part 9 we will look at the role and appointment of an administator of a scheme.

Advice From the Experts - The Executive Managing Agent Part 8

In Part 7 of this newsletter we looked at the role of the auditor in a scheme.

In Part 8 of this series we will look at the role and appointment of an executive managing agent (EMA).

Advice From the Experts - The Auditor Part 7

In Part 6 of this newsletter we looked at the role a managing agent plays in a scheme.

In Part 7 of this series we are going to look at the role of a auditor when it comes to auditing the books of account for a sectional title scheme.

Advice From the Experts - Role Players Part 6

In Part 5 of this newsletter we looked at the Community Schemes Ombud Service.

In this newsletter we will look at the Managing Agent (MA).

Accountable and transparent corporate governance is essential for every sectional tilte scheme.

It is therefore highly recommended that a qualified, experienced MA, registered with the National Association of Managing Agents (NAMA) is appointed to attend to the day-day running of a scheme.

Advice From the Experts - Role Players Part 5

In Part 4 of this newsletter we looked at the members of the body corporate.

In this newsletter we will look at the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS).

CSOS was established by Parliament in October 2016 to ensure proper regulation of the industry and to fulfil the need for inexpensive and quick dispute resolution processes in community schemes.

Generators Electrical Hazards - Part 4

In Part 3 of this newsletter, we looked at the legal and insurance considerations applicable to generators.

In this newsletter we will look at electrical hazards associated with the use of portable and standby generators.

Generators Part 2

In Part 1 of this newsletter, we looked at the installation of a common property generator that serves the entire sectional title schemes.

In this newsletter, we will look at the installation of individual free-standing generators in a scheme.

Generators Insurance Considerations - Part 3

With load shedding and severe cold weather in full swing, the use of residential generators is once again in the spotlight.

In Part 2 of this newsletter, we looked at the installation of individual free-standing generators in a scheme.

In part 3 we will look at the legal and insurance considerations applicable to generators.

Generators - Part 1

In the previous newsletter, we looked at how Conduct Rules could prevent overcrowding in a section.

In this newsletter, we will look at generators in a sectional title scheme.

Ah Eskom!

Common property - Improvements Reasonably Necessary Or Useful - part 5

In Part 4 of this series we discussed improvements not necessary but "nice to have".

In this newsletter, we are going to discuss improvements that are reasonably necessary or considered to be useful.

Overcrowding - Part 1

In the previous series of newsletters, we looked at improvements to the common property of a scheme.

In this new series, we are going to look at overcrowding in a section.

Overcrowding - Part 2

In Part 1 of this newsletter, we looked at overcrowding in a section.

In this newsletter, we will look at how Conduct Rules can be used to address overcrowding in a residential scheme.

Common property_improvements not necessary but "nice to have" - part 4

In Part 3 of this series we discussed when improvement decisions must be referred to the members of the body corporate

In this newsletter we are going to discuss improvements which are not necessary but rather "nice to have".

More complicated improvements to common property - part 3

In Part 2 of this series we had a look at Minor Alterations to common property with trustee consent.

In this newsletter we will look at more complicated improvements.For these, trustees do not have the authority to make a decision and the decision is referred to the members of the body corporate - in other words the owners of the units.

Advice from the expert - common property part 2

In Part 1 of this series we had a look at what is common property, in this part we will be looking at Minor Alterations to common property - trustee consent.

Model Conduct Rule 4(1) reads: "The owner or occupier of a section must not, without the trustees' written consent, mark, paint, drive nails, screws or other objects into, or otherwise damage or deface a structure that forms part of the common property."

Advice from the experts - common property part 1

Continuing with our Advice from the Experts series, we will over the next few newletters be looking at the Common Property of a sectional title scheme.

Common property in a sectional title scheme includes all areas other than those designated as sections on the sectional plan.

In other words everything outside the section such as driveways, pavements, fences, gates, communal gardens and club houses all form part of the common property.

Contributions to the 10 year maintenance repair and replacement plan - part 3

In our previous newsletter we discussed the 1st part of the requirement of the compulsory 10 year maintenance, repair and replacement plan.

The 2nd part of the plan requires the determination of what must be contributed to the reserve fund for the maintenance, repair or replacement for each and every capital item.

Legislators have even gone so far as to provide a formula to calculate this contribution:

The 10 year maintenance, repair and replacement plan - part 1

In our new series of newsletters – Advice from the Experts -we will be sharing valuable information relating to the Sectional Title Schemes and the legislation they must adhere to.

In Part 1 of this series we are going to look at the compulsory legislated requirement for Sectional Title Schemes to have a 10 year maintenance, repair and replacement plan.

The 10 year maintenance, what items must be included in the plan - part 2

In Part 1 we looked at Prescribed Management Rule(PMR) 22 which requires that schemes MUST prepare or have prepared a written maintenance, repair and replacement plan for the common property.

Presentation of the 10 year maintenance, repair and replacement plan - part 4

As previously mentioned, the Prescribed Minimum Rule (PMR) 22 requires that schemes MUST have a written maintenance, repair and replacement plan for the common property. In Part 3 we discuss the presentation of the plan.