In our private consulting department, we are often asked whether a sectional title trustee can be held personally liable for their actions, or failure to act, in certain circumstances. The Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act 8 of 2011 (“the STSMA”) has clarified this question to an extent, which was not previously dealt with under the Sectional Titles Act 95 of 1986.
In terms of section 8 of the STSMA, a trustee stands in a fiduciary relationship to their body corporate, which means that they must act honestly and in good faith. That sounds easy enough, but is it really?
In terms of the STSMA, the elected trustees of a body corporate exercise certain powers, directed or restricted by the members, and perform functions. A trustee must exercise the powers, entrusted to them by the STSMA, and the members of the body corporate, in the interest and for the benefit of the body corporate, and not exceed these powers.
A trustee must further avoid any material conflict of interest in relation to the body corporate. In this regard, a trustee must not receive any direct or indirect personal economic benefit from the body corporate, and should they have any direct or indirect material interest in a contract of the body corporate, they must notify their fellow trustees as soon as they are aware of the interest.
Prescribed Management Rule (“PMR”) 6(3) of Annexure 1 of the Regulations to the STSMA, further provides that a trustee must not be present at, or take part in, the consideration (discussion) or decision of a matter in which the trustee has any direct or indirect personal interest.
If a trustee acts in breach of this fiduciary relationship, they will, in their personal capacity, be liable to the body corporate, for any loss suffered by the body corporate as a result of their breach, or for any economic benefit they received as a result of their breach.
However, if the members of the body corporate, once aware of all the material facts, in writing, approve a trustee’s conduct, it will not constitute a breach of their fiduciary relationship to the body corporate, unless the trustee exceeded their powers.
In terms of PMR 8(4), the body corporate must indemnify a trustee, who is not the scheme’s managing agent, against all costs, losses and expenses arising as a result of any official act by the trustee, which is not in breach of the fiduciary relationship to the body corporate.
The body corporate must further, in terms of PMR 23(7), insure against the risk of loss of their funds that may be sustained as a result of any act of fraud or dishonesty committed by a trustee. The Regulations to the Community Schemes Ombud Service Act 9 of 2011 regulates this requirement for fidelity insurance.
If you are a trustee or an owner in a sectional title scheme, and have any concerns or queries relating to this topic, feel free to contact us at consulting@paddocks.co.za or on 021 686 3950, for a non-obligation quotation to consult with one of our attorneys in the consulting department.
Article reference: Paddocks Press: Volume 12, Issue 10, Page 02.
Zerlinda van der Merwe is an admitted Attorney of the High Court, specialist Sectional Title Attorney (BA, LLB, LLM), Zerlinda brings a wealth of experience and forms part of the Paddocks Private Consulting Division.
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
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4 Comments.
What sanction can a trustee receive if he is found guilty of contravening this fiduciary duty is there a fine of imprisonment or both?
What action can be taken against an owner (and trustee) who did not allow workers to enter his private use area to fix the facias, because he is running a jeweler repair business from home, and is afraid from being robbed? Thanks.
is it possible to view the body corporate bank statements for if they refuse to make it available on request please and how does one do that? My son is the owner and he now lives in the USA
The Chairman in the complex where I stay, keep on sending whats-app voice notes and message to my ex, about my personal life, we are divorce since July 2013 – what is my next step, as I don’t want him to know about my where about – why did she keep on sending him voice notes. Is it her right to do so? My personal life had nothing to do with her or my ex. Help please.