Fitzanne Estates

In this episode of Fitzanne’s Property Exchange, host Pearl Scheltema speaks with Dilen Heerschop, Attorney at Heerschop Pienaar Incorporated Attorneys, to unpack the newly released CSOS Consolidated Practice Directive 1 of 2025—a landmark update reshaping the governance of community schemes in South Africa. This directive consolidates all previous CSOS guidelines into one comprehensive framework,...

In this episode of Fitzanne’s Property Exchange, host Pearl Scheltema speaks with Dilen Heerschop, Director at DTB Attorneys, to discuss a recent court ruling that’s causing a stir in the property industry. The judgement confirms that a Body Corporate can proceed with the sale of a property over unpaid levies exceeding R50,000—a decision with far-reaching implications for both owners and managing...

After positive discussions between the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and the National Association of Managing Agents South Africa (NAMA) on behalf of its members, there is good news for the real estate sector. Property practitioners will, for now, no longer need to confirm their Level 8 BEE status to obtain a Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC). Earlier in 2024, the PPRA had made...

As Sectional Title Schemes continue being a popular choice for home ownership in South Africa, the role of a scheme executive has never been more critical. In this episode of Fitzanne's Property Exchange, we look at the complex responsibilities and legal nuances that come with managing a community scheme effectively. Managing a community scheme extends beyond basic compliance with the STSMA or Com...

In this episode of Fitzanne's Property Exchange, hosted by Pearl Scheltema, we explore the challenges of communal living during the holiday season. Our guests, Zerlinda van der Merwe, Co-Founder and Director at TVDM Consultants, and Willie Roos, CEO at Stratafin, provide expert insights into managing common disputes in community schemes. The discussion focuses on issues such as noise complaints, i...

Installing solar energy in Sectional Title Schemes in South Africa can be challenging due to several factors. Despite these challenges, there is growing recognition of the benefits of solar energy in South Africa, including reducing dependence on fossil fuels, lowering electricity costs, and promoting environmental sustainability. Efforts are being made to address the challenges by providing guide...

As a result of the ongoing problems with load shedding, many sectional owners are looking into alternative and renewable energy options such as solar panels to reduce the impact of load shedding on their homes. A common question, therefore, being raised by sectional owners is whether they are permitted to install solar panels on their sectional property. Taking this one step further, one then need...

Sectional title legislation requires schemes to have their annual financial statements audited and presented to the members for their consideration at a general meeting, and it must be done within four months of the scheme’s financial year-end. Additionally, the annual general meeting (AGM) is required to be held within four months of the financial year-end. So, although it is not required, it mak...

As a homeowner in a Sectional Title Scheme, you may wish to make changes to your property to improve its functionality or aesthetic appeal. However, the process involved in making alterations can be complex and requires careful consideration to avoid potential disputes with your neighbors or the Body Corporate. In this episode of Fitzanne's Property Exchange, Pearl Scheltema is speaking to Abrie S...

Navigating complex building regulations, obtaining necessary approvals for renovations and upgrades, and balancing the needs of individual owners with the overall maintenance and preservation of common property are just some of the challenges Trustees face in the management of Sectional Title Schemes. In this episode of Fitzanne's Property Exchange, Pearl Scheltema is speaking to Abrie Snyman, own...

Fitzanne's Property Exchange, hosted Pearl Scheltema, keeps you captivated and intrigued as we provide you with the very latest news and insights to the South African residential property industry. Having conversations with property investors, industry experts, Sectional Title Scheme Executives and innovative stakeholders, we invite you to listen to their stories and make it your own.

If you’re getting a divorce in South Africa, there can be a lot of things at stake. Some people earn an income by owning multiple properties and worry about having to split those properties in a divorce. Fortunately, there are ways you can protect yourself as a real estate investor going through a divorce. Protecting your property portfolio during a divorce can be tricky. You could find yourself i...

Historically, 44% of marriages in South Africa have resulted in divorce. Since lockdown, there has reportedly been a 20% increase in the number of new divorce applications. The family home is sometimes the most significant asset at stake for those unfortunate couples whose marriages ultimately fail, both financially and emotionally. Therefore, it is essential for any couple thinking about getting...

The increased quorum requirement of 80% vs. 33.3% and the inability to table such a resolution at an adjourned annual or special general meeting—which still requires the elevated quorum requirement—make it nearly impossible to obtain a unanimous resolution for the majority of Sectional Title Schemes. At an annual or special general meeting, there is no way to reach such a unanimous decision with f...

In this episode of Fitzanne's Property Exchange, Pearl Scheltema talks to Zerlinda van der Merwe, Founder of TVDM Consultants about a recent meeting between the DA Shadow Minister and the Chief Ombud.

Load shedding, which has become almost daily in South Africa due to the power crisis, has significantly disrupted everyone's lives. Countless business hours have been lost, productivity across all sectors has been impacted, time is wasted, frustrations are at an all-time high due to the traffic backlogs brought on by broken traffic lights, and families are unable to cook or take hot showers. These...

When the owner of a property in a Sectional Title Scheme dies, the Master of the High Court appoints a trustee/executor to wind up their estate. This involves paying any outstanding debts, realising any assets, and distributing them according to the instructions contained in the deceased person’s will. Ownership of the property remains with the deceased estate, and it is the trustee/executor who m...

Despite the economic downslide caused by COVID, property investment remains a profitable endeavor, especially with pent-up demand set to be unleashed in the wake of the lockdown. Furthermore, a succession of interest rate cuts intended to boost the economy has resulted in the lowest lending rates for decades. If you’re looking to take your first step into the South African property market, now is...

It has become clear in recent months that many Sectional Title Schemes industry stakeholders were experiencing a host of challenges with the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS). In this episode of Fitzanne's Property Exchange, Pearl Scheltema talks to Zerlinda Van der Merwe, Co-Founder and Director of TVDM Consultants and Willie Roos, CEO of Stratafin, who, together with Theresa Williams, a con...

The CSOS recently placed an advert for a Panel of Executive Managing Agents and subsequently formulated a Panel of Executive Managing Agents from the applications. According to CSOS, they have trained and educated all the panelists on the panel on their roles and responsibilities towards the body corporate. In this podcast, Pearl Scheltema facilitates a panel discussion between key role players in...

With the publication of the Property Practitioners Regulation on 14 January 2022, significant changes to the property industry have come about on 01 February 2022. The Property Practitioners Act and Regulations aim to regulate and professionalise the property industry. In this episode of Fitzanne's Property Exchange, Pearl Scheltema talks to Dilen Heerschop, a property law expert and attorney of t...

Dealing with the finances in a Sectional Title Scheme can be a difficult and uncertain affair, with numerous aspects to consider. Should a Sectional Title Scheme find itself in need of financial assistance, it has a number of options to choose from. Making the right choice for the Sectional Title Scheme can be a difficult and often challenging choice for the members of the Corporate Body and can o...

In order to get the most out of sectional title living, it is also important to understand the key role that the Managing Agent plays in maintaining a sectional title scheme. Choosing a Managing Agent is a very important consideration for Body Corporates and Trustees alike. To a certain extent, it is a subjective choice; you must get along with the people at the agency, after all. However, you als...

As the long-standing owner, trustee and chairperson of a self-managed complex, Poena le Roux designed MeetingPal in 2017 as a tool that complies with the Sectional Titles Schemes Management (STSM) Act which obligated bodies corporate to calculate votes in both number and value. No longer is there is need to have all the scheme’s members under one roof, but now these member can also vote securely a...

With South Africa facing a water and energy crisis, sustainable solutions are needed and EDGE Certification makes it faster, easier, and more affordable than ever before to build and certify green homes. An innovation of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) is a green building certification system that gives homeowners the assurance that...