Levies explained

It's your share of the day-to-day running costs of the complex: security, garden service, cleaning, common-area electricity and water, insurance, the managing agent's fee and small repairs. Your share is based on your unit's participation quota (roughly, how big your unit is compared to the others).

The law (the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act) says every complex must save for big future repairs like roofs, painting and paving. That savings pot is the reserve fund. Saving a bit every month means we avoid huge surprise special levies later.

Three main reasons: municipal water and electricity tariffs went up, the building insurance premium increased after last year's claims, and the reserve fund was below the legal minimum, so we have to top it up. The full budget was approved at the AGM. Ask the finance trustee if you'd like a copy.

A once-off amount charged when there's a big, unexpected cost the budget can't cover, for example waterproofing a whole roof. Trustees must explain what it's for, and it's split between owners by participation quota.

The Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) is the government body that helps resolve disputes in complexes. By law every scheme pays a small monthly levy to fund it, and it's passed on to owners. It's capped at R40 per unit per month.

Each unit has its own water meter. You pay for what your household uses, so you're not subsidising your neighbours (or the other way round). Water for the garden and pool is part of the admin levy.

Levies are due on the 1st of each month. Late payments attract interest at the rate set in the conduct rules, and long-overdue accounts are handed over for collection. If you're struggling, speak to the managing agent early. A payment plan is almost always possible.