Online Short Course
UCT Sectional Title Trustee Training
This online short course provides the training that trustees need to manage their scheme with confidence that they are doing the right thing.
Trustees are the elected representatives of the owners in a sectional title scheme. They often have little or no understanding of the extensive legal requirements involved in sectional title scheme management and yet they are required by law to manage the scheme in accordance with them and in the best interests of the scheme.
If the trustees don’t do a good job, every person involved in the scheme suffers. The value of the units may decrease due to a lack of proper maintenance and repair, the scheme’s finances may not be properly managed and disputes can ravage the body corporate due to a lack of proper rule enforcement and decisions not being taken properly.
It benefits every owner and occupant in the scheme if the trustees have a basic understanding of sectional title scheme management and are trained in the duties and functions related to their role.
[info_list font_size_icon=”24″][info_list_item list_title=”Module 1: Introduction & basic concepts” list_icon=”Defaults-book”]In the first module we introduce sectional title by looking at the applicable law and rules, the terminology and definitions unique to sectional title including the different types of property and what can be done with each type, the different role players and their functions as well as an overview of the decision-making processes that must be followed including how decisions can be taken at meetings or by round robin procedure.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Module 2: Administrative & financial management” list_icon=”Defaults-book”]Module two focuses on the law and rules that apply to trustees and general meetings, including how to properly call, arrange and take decisions at these meetings. It also focuses on financial management explaining the participation quotas and how the effects of the participation quotas can be varied, budgeting for scheme expenses and how general and special levies should be properly raised, scheme cash flow and levy collection as well as the legal requirements relating to scheme insurance.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Module 3: Physical management” list_icon=”Defaults-book”]This module looks at physical scheme management, including, but not limited to, different types of exclusive use rights and the implications thereof, alterations or improvements to common property that is or is not reasonably necessary, extensions of sections and extensions of the scheme as well as short and long leases of common property.
[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Module 4: Rule enforcement and dispute resolution” list_icon=”Defaults-book”]Module four unpacks the different options for resolving disputes in sectional title schemes. It takes you through the differences as well as the pros and cons of negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation as well as the provisions in the prescribed rules contained in the regulations to the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act that provide for the enforcement of the scheme rules.
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Anyone who is or aspires to be a sectional title trustee and wants to be empowered in their understanding of the law relating to sectional title scheme management and practice.
Graham Paddock
Graham BA.LLB (UCT) is a practising Attorney, Notary and Conveyancer, specialising in all forms of community schemes. He was the lead consultant to the government in the introduction of the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act and the Community Schemes Ombud Service and an adjunct professor at UCT for ten years.
