When a body corporate member suffers financial loss due to claim averaging or rejection resulting from underinsurance, they naturally seek ways to recover their shortfall. For elected trustees, this reality creates a significant exposure that many don't fully understand until it's too late. The legal framework places clear responsibilities on trustees, and failing to meet these obligations can result in personal financial liability. The Fiduciary Duty of Trustees Elected trus

At 2:47 AM, hackers compromised the smart building management system of a Umhlanga complex. By 3:15 AM, they'd disabled the electric fence, unlocked the basement access gates, and disarmed the alarm system. By 4:00 AM, five units had been burgled. Total loss: R890,000. The body corporate's insurance claim was declined. The reason? "Cyber event causing physical loss." The building insurance policy covered burglary, but not burglary facilitated by hacking. The cyber insurance p

Your body corporate's insurance premium increased 18% this year. Your trustees negotiated hard, shopped around, and were told this was "competitive." Three months later, storm damage wreaked havoc on your building. The claim was declined. The reason? "Gradual water ingress" an exclusion buried on page 47 of your policy document. Welcome to the cover gap crisis facing South African sectional title schemes in 2025. The Perfect Storm South Africa's climate is changing faster tha

In an unpredictable world, safeguarding your assets and financial well-being is paramount. For homeowners and those living in community schemes, personal liability cover isn't just an option – it's a necessity. This article will walk you through the essentials of personal liability insurance, helping you understand its importance, what it covers, and how it protects you from potential risks. What is Personal Liability Cover? Personal liability cover is a crucial component of

So, you’ve been voted in as a trustee. Congratulations! Or perhaps, condolences? Either way, you’ve just accepted one of the most...

The insurance landscape has evolved rapidly, shaped by technological innovation, shifting consumer expectations, and an increasingly...

Understanding the Forces at Work Retaining walls serve to separate different ground elevations in terrain that naturally tends toward...

Property owners in shared-ownership or sectional title developments frequently make improvements to enhance comfort and market value....

In the past few months, we’ve noticed a concerning trend in the sectional title industry, some schemes are finding it increasingly...

South Africa’s sectional title sector is showing strong resilience and growth — and that’s welcome news for trustees, owners, and...

South Africa's mobile operators will be prohibited from activating any new 2G and 3G devices at the end of December 2024 with shut down of 2G and 3G networks by December 2027.