Levytate Managing Agents

Levytate Managing Agents Levytate Managing Agents is a Division of GeoAfrika Property Management (Pty) Ltd.

Thinking of running an Airbnb from your sectional title unit? Read the rules first.Short-term letting can be a great inc...
19/06/2026

Thinking of running an Airbnb from your sectional title unit? Read the rules first.

Short-term letting can be a great income generator, but not every sectional title scheme allows it. Before listing your property, take the time to understand your scheme's conduct rules, municipal requirements, tax obligations, and potential legal implications.

Ignoring the rules could result in:
✔️ Fines and penalties
✔️ CSOS disputes
✔️ Court action
✔️ Additional municipal charges

The best investment protection starts with compliance.

Need guidance on sectional title governance or scheme management? Contact Levytate Managing Agents.

📲 031 940 1207
🌐 www.levytate.co.za

🔧 One Call. Many Solutions.Meet Simphiwe – your trusted maintenance specialist, helping Body Corporates, Commercial Prop...
10/06/2026

🔧 One Call. Many Solutions.

Meet Simphiwe – your trusted maintenance specialist, helping Body Corporates, Commercial Properties and Household Units stay safe, functional and looking their best.

From leaking taps and faulty lights to painting, gates, locks and general repairs, no job is too small.

✔ Reliable Service
✔ Affordable Rates
✔ Quality Workmanship
✔ Fast Response

Servicing Shongweni, Hillcrest, Kloof, Waterfall, Pinetown, Westville, Durban North and Umhlanga.

📞 031 940 1207
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.levytate.co.za

Your property. Our priority.

Leaking Shower? Damaged Ceiling? Who Pays?In sectional title schemes, the answer isn’t always as simple as “the person w...
19/05/2026

Leaking Shower? Damaged Ceiling? Who Pays?

In sectional title schemes, the answer isn’t always as simple as “the person who caused it must pay.”

Here’s the truth:

✔ Repair responsibility depends on where the damage is
✔ Payment responsibility depends on proving negligence

Example:
If an upstairs shower leaks and damages the ceiling below, the downstairs owner is usually responsible for repairing their own ceiling first.

They may only recover those costs if they can prove the upstairs owner was negligent.

Insurance can assist with resultant damage claims, but it doesn’t change the legal position,  it simply helps cover the costs.

Understanding this distinction can save trustees, owners and managing agents from major disputes.

Levytate helps schemes stay compliant, informed and professionally managed.

📞 031 940 1207
📧 [email protected]

A big myth in sectional title living is that anything “structural” is automatically the body corporate’s problem. Not tr...
14/05/2026

A big myth in sectional title living is that anything “structural” is automatically the body corporate’s problem. Not true.

Under the STSM Act, the word structural means nothing when deciding who pays. What matters is where the issue is located.

Here’s the real rule - responsibility is based on the type of property, not the type of defect.

🔹 Inside a Section (your unit):

It’s the owner’s responsibility — even if the issue is structural. Cracks in internal walls? Your cost.

🔹 Common Property (roof, exterior walls, corridors):

The body corporate maintains and pays — structural or not.

🔹 Exclusive Use Areas (gardens, parking bays):

The body corporate arranges the work, but the owner pays, unless the rules say otherwise.

The only way to know the difference?

Check your scheme’s sectional plan and rules. Boundaries decide everything.

Bottom line - “Structural” doesn’t determine who pays — location does. Understanding this stops disputes, delays  and surprise costs.

Question:How can you sell or transfer an exclusive-use parking bay to another owner when the exclusive use was created t...
11/05/2026

Question:

How can you sell or transfer an exclusive-use parking bay to another owner when the exclusive use was created through the scheme’s rules?

Answer:

You can only “sell” or transfer that parking bay by updating the scheme’s Conduct or Management Rules to reflect the new exclusive-use allocation — and this update must be properly drafted, passed by the owners with the correct resolution and then approved and filed with CSOS. Once CSOS approves it, the new owner gets the exclusive-use rights.

📞 031 940 1207 | 📧 [email protected]

A recent Johannesburg High Court ruling has given much-needed clarity on something every sectional title scheme struggle...
06/05/2026

A recent Johannesburg High Court ruling has given much-needed clarity on something every sectional title scheme struggles with collecting overdue levies and recovering the legal costs involved.

In the case SS Glen High Body Corporate v M Kruger NO, the Court confirmed that bodies corporate can recover legal fees incurred when chasing unpaid levies — as long as their rules allow it.

What schemes need to know - levy recovery costs can be charged back, if your scheme’s conduct rules clearly state that owners are responsible for any legal fees linked to levy enforcement, those fees can be added to the owner’s outstanding balance.

Clear rules are non-negotiable, without explicit wording in the rules, recovering legal fees becomes far more complicated.

Financial compliance is a legal duty, levies keep the scheme functioning — from maintenance to security. Owners are obligated to pay and schemes have every right to enforce this.

Why this matters - this ruling strengthens the body corporate’s position when dealing with non-paying owners. With properly drafted rules, schemes can recover legal fees more efficiently, protect their cash flow and ensure every member contributes fairly.

At Levytate, we help schemes stay compliant, update their governance documents and enforce levy collection processes legally and effectively — keeping your community financially healthy and running smoothly.

📞 031 940 1207 | 📧 [email protected]

Question:Can I nominate myself as a Trustee?Answer:There is nothing in the STSM Act preventing anyone from nominating th...
29/04/2026

Question:

Can I nominate myself as a Trustee?

Answer:

There is nothing in the STSM Act preventing anyone from nominating themselves as a trustee – unless you are disqualified in terms of the Act to be a trustee – and unless there is a reason for your vote not to count on an ordinary resolution, such as a judgement or CSOS order against you.

Do you have any questions? Comment below, DM or contact us:

📞 031 940 1207 | 📧 [email protected]

 🌐 levytate.co.za

The law still says certain AGM/SGM notices (with special or unanimous resolutions) must be sent by hand or prepaid regis...
22/04/2026

The law still says certain AGM/SGM notices (with special or unanimous resolutions) must be sent by hand or prepaid registered post — but with the postal system collapsing, community schemes need practical alternatives.

Key Points for Schemes to Know

✔️ When does the “registered post” rule apply?

Only when the agenda includes a special or unanimous resolution. Ordinary-resolution meetings don’t require it.

✔️ Easiest workaround: Keep meetings ordinary

Handle special or unanimous resolutions in writing (round-robin) — then you don’t need registered post at all.

✔️ If special/unanimous items are on the agenda:

Use a multi-channel approach to show good-faith compliance:

🔹 Email the pack

🔹 WhatsApp notice (as extra proof)

🔹 Hand-deliver to residents

🔹 Courier to non-residents

🔹 Upload to portal/website

🔹 Display on noticeboard

🔹 Keep all proofs in a “service dossier”

✔️ Get owner consent for electronic service

Ask owners to update their email + WhatsApp as their official service addresses — this helps protect the scheme legally.

✔️ If challenged:

Show collapse of postal services, multi-channel effort and that owners got the documents on time.

Until the law is updated, using multiple delivery methods and proper proof keeps your scheme protected and compliant.

New Rules for Estates: Visitor Data 🚨Big changes are coming for how estates handle visitor information.👉 Estates can onl...
15/04/2026

New Rules for Estates: Visitor Data 🚨

Big changes are coming for how estates handle visitor information.

👉 Estates can only collect what’s necessary — no more “just in case” info.

👉 Scanning IDs or copying licences without good reason is a risk.

👉 Visitor info must be kept secure, not visible or shared.

👉 Data must be stored safely and deleted when no longer needed.

⚠️ If not? Estates could face fines up to R10 million and even be sued by visitors for misuse of their personal info.

The bottom line: Privacy matters. Estates must protect visitor data or face serious consequences.

⚖️ NEW COURT RULING: Levy Recovery Just Changed in South AfricaA recent Johannesburg High Court decision has sent a stro...
13/04/2026

⚖️ NEW COURT RULING: Levy Recovery Just Changed in South Africa

A recent Johannesburg High Court decision has sent a strong message to bodies corporate and trustees:

You can’t recover levies at any cost, in a case where a R18 000 levy debt turned into legal fees nearly 5x higher, the court refused to enforce the claim.

💡 Here’s what this means for you:

✔️ Recovery costs must be reasonable & proportionate

✔️ Legal processes must be fair and transparent

✔️ Signed AODs are NOT a blank cheque

✔️ Trustees remain fully accountable, even when attorneys are involved

🚨 The shift is clear, it’s no longer just about getting the money back, it’s about HOW you do it.

At Levytate, we ensure levy recovery is:

✔️ Compliant

✔️ Cost-controlled

✔️ Properly managed from start to finish

Because in today’s landscape, governance matters just as much as recovery.

📞 031 940 1207
📧 [email protected]

Address

4 Langford Road
Westville
3629

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00
Thursday 08:00 - 16:00
Friday 08:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+27319401207

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Levytate Managing Agents posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category