In South Africa, the management and maintenance of sectional title schemes—such as apartment complexes or townhouses—require meticulous financial planning to ensure the smooth operation and longevity of the properties. One of the critical aspects of this financial planning is the separation of t...

Extending a Section in a Body Corporate Community Scheme onto Common Property In terms of sectional title legislation in South Africa, owners must obtain proper authorisation before extending onto common property. Common property is collectively owned by all the owners within the sectional title sc...

WhatsApp and Community Housing Schemes “Look, that’s why there’s rules, understand? So that you think before you break ‘em.”Terry Pratchett, Thief of TimeWhatsApp groups are proving increasingly more important for the dissemination of news that affects people living within community s...

Sectional title living has become increasingly popular in South Africa, offering residents the benefits of shared amenities, communal spaces, and a sense of community. However, effective management of reserves is crucial to ensure the sustainability and financial health of community housing schemes....

The importance of adequate insurance cover in community schemesHaving adequate insurance cover in a community scheme, such as sectional title or home owners association, is crucial for several reasons:1.      Protection of Common Areas:Community schemes typically have common...

This short video touches on the requirements of lodging a dispute at the Community Schemes Ombud Service. If you have any queries or require assistance, please feel free to reach out to us at bellbuoy@bellbuoy.co.za

This short video describes the process required for trustees/governing body members to approve supplier invoices through our online portal.If you have any queries as to this please contact your portfolio manager, or email us at bellbuoy@bellbuoy.co.za

This video runs through the main reasons to appoint a managing agent for your community housing scheme.If you require any assistance, or have any queries, please email us on bellbuoy@bellbuoy.co.za and we will get back to you!

THis video contains a brief discussion on the benefits and reasons to consider appointing a Managing Agent in community housing property developments.

During 2023 Bellbuoy introduced new client relationship management software. We are so excited about the opportunities and transparency that this shift brings.Please view our short introduction on the software and download the handy tutorial, for both owners and scheme executives (trustees, exc...

We are excited to announce that the TRACS (Training Academy for Community Schemes) Back2Basics – Protect your property investment roadshow will be visiting Gqeberha on 26 August 2023 and The Bellbuoy Group has partnered with TRACS to bring this event to the Eastern Cape. Join us for an energising ...

Installing a new lift or upgrading an existing one?A recent enquiry reminded me of the pitfalls associated with the installation of a new lift, or indeed a major upgrade, if same is feasible.Many buildings have lifts installed, some are getting on in years, others require statutory upgrades to meet ...

Energy Performance Certificates:Non-residential buildings, with a total floor area >2000m2, were required, in terms of section 19(1)(b) of the National Energy Act, to display (at the building’s main entrance) and submit Energy Performance Certificates (“EPC’s”) to the South African Nation...

5 reasons to appoint a managing agentBecoming a trustee in a sectional title scheme can be a daunting task.The Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act (STSMA), places an inordinate amount of responsibility on the body corporate, and, ipso facto, the trustees. In terms of the STSMA, the buck stops wi...

An interesting judgement with regard to an owner running an Air BnB at their unit and a Body Corporate who applied to the Court to request that the owner be stopped. The judgement essentially upheld the Body Corporate's request. We have just received this and are perusi...

Further to President Ramaphosa’s address on 23 March 2020 announcing South Africa will be in lockdown from midnight on Thursday 26 March 2020 until 16 April 2020, we confirm that we will continue operating and our staff will continue to work remotely from home.Please direct any queries to your por...

The Bellbuoy Group notes that there have been a number of changes to the SANS regulations referring specifically to geysers, including the necessity to install a class B geyser, as well as the issuing of Certificates of Compliance with regard to these installations. We have requested the b...