Steep annual increases in municipal electricity and water tariffs are a constant incentive for sectional title (ST) schemes and housing estates to implement alternative energy and water supply solutions.

People often ask what the difference is between a homeowners’ association (HOA) and a Body Corporate – or if they are similar.

Gated communities are increasingly popular with home buyers due to the perceived safety these neighbourhoods offer.

What can a buyer do when they’ve purchased their dream home, only to find their neighbour is planning to add a storey that will destroy their view or ruin their privacy?

In the past 10 years, the number of sectional title schemes in SA has risen exponentially, and the latest figures show that there are currently well over 700 000 sectional title homes in the country, estimated to house more than 6-million people.

With sectional title sales accounting for a growing percentage of South Africa’s total home sales, rising from 22% in 2010 to 28.4% of total sales in early-2016, there are no signs of this trend abating, particular as densification and the demand for convenient apartment living continues.

The much-anticipated Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) Act is now fully operational and applicable to all community housing schemes including Sectional Title and shareblock schemes, cluster complexes and estates run by home owner associations (HOAs), retirement villages and housing co-operatives.

Owning a home is a dream-come-true for many young people, but being a first-time buyer wrapped up in finding just the right property could mean that the thought of what it will cost to run and maintain that property hasn’t crossed your mind.

The entire phase two of the Greenford Office Park in Kenilworth, comprising seven office blocks with a capital value of R95million, has now been sold or let.