Paddocks Press – July 2020
The July 2020 edition of Paddocks Press is now available.
Introduction to the POPI Act for Community Schemes
The Protection of Personal Information Act, No. 4 of 2013 (POPI Act) is now in operation, as from 1 July 2020. What does this mean for community schemes such as sectional title developments, homeowners associations and retirement villages? 1. By when do you have to comply with the POPI Act’s requirements? You have one year…
The chairperson’s casting vote
I often get asked whether a chairperson is able to exercise his casting vote at the body corporate’s Annual General Meeting. This question indicates to me that: 1) the scheme needs more information on the casting vote a chairperson is able to exercise in certain circumstances 2) the scheme is probably not counting votes cast…
Q&A – 2020 07
By the Paddocks Club team Below are examples of two questions on the Paddocks Club discussion forum, to show you what is available to our Community members! Can a trustee become a paid supervisor and remain a trustee also? Member’s question: Good day Paddocks, Can a trustee become a paid supervisor and still remain a…
Steps to streamline community scheme administration
In these unusual Pandemic-tainted times, we need to be smart if we are to ensure the sustainability of our community schemes. In the area of scheme administration, there are seven issues I suggest all HOA, sectional title, retirement development and share block scheme executives should consider, to improve their scheme’s administrative efficiency. Most schemes…
Help for frustrated tenants in community schemes
When tenants complain to the body corporate about the incredibly noisy and disruptive neighbours living in the apartment next door, they are often told to take the matter up with their landlord, as the body corporate and/or managing agent won’t deal with queries from those who are not members of the body corporate. Unfortunately, with…
Q&A – 2020 06
By the Paddocks Club team Below are examples of two questions on the Paddocks Club discussion forum, to show you what is available to our Community members! Selling the unit but not the garage where they are separate sections Member’s question: Good day Paddocks, In a complex where the garages are annotated on the sectional…
Maximise the chances of recovering unpaid levies
If you have ever been involved in the process of collecting unpaid levies via the civil courts, you will know that this can be a very lengthy and often quite costly process, involving attorneys, the sheriff, various prescribed waiting periods and countless postponements. Once the body corporate finally has its day in court and hopefully…
Authorising the appointment of a managing agent
In my discussions with clients and students alike, I have found that most people are under the impression that the appointment of a managing agent has to be authorised by the body corporate members. Even managing agents appear to be misinformed when it comes to the authority needed to appoint them. Let’s take a closer…
Q&A – 2020 05
By the Paddocks Club team Below are examples of two questions on the Paddocks Club discussion forum, to show you what is available to our Community members! Residents smoking marijuana in their unit, what can we do? Member’s question: Good day Paddocks, What actions can be taken by the body corporate if they receive complaints…
COVID-19 and levy contributions
The outbreak of COVID-19 and the national lockdown has had and will continue to have far-reaching financial consequences for many households, which is why most financial service providers have implemented COVID-19 cashflow relief measures, to assist those individuals whose financial stability has been impacted by COVID-19. These measures have led many owners in sectional title…
Attending trustee meetings remotely
“Unprecedented times” – the phrase that keeps showing up on news feeds, social media platforms and in conversations the world over. With our nation, and many others around the world, facing severe restrictions on movement and physical interaction with others, we are being forced to adapt and find new ways of doing things. While some…