The verdict is in | CoCT fixed charges

Dear Melissa Yeats,

May has begun with an absolute bang! While the aim is to continue the A–Z Community Scheme series with the letters I and J, last week was one for the books when it comes to community scheme living.

In light of the above here’s what we’ll cover in this edition:

Nicole (N) comments on the draft code of good practice for short-term rentals in South Africa
Sarah provides comments on the judgement against the City of Cape Town, as well as explores the court’s ruling against the city’s charges
Nicole (T) and Sarah discuss the Information Regulator’s own initiative code of conduct
Upcoming webinar: Insurance essentials for community schemes
Upcoming event: The Reside Conference

CONTENT CORNER

Draft code of good practice for short-term rentals in South Africa | A sectional title expert perspective

In this article, Nicole (N) comments on South Africa’s Draft Code of Good Practice for Short-Term Rentals, highlighting five key areas affecting bodies corporate, trustees, and managing agents under the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act.

Judgment against the City of Cape Town: Charges declared invalid and unlawful

The Western Cape High Court has declared the City of Cape Town’s city-wide cleaning, fixed water, and fixed sanitation charges unlawful and invalid in a landmark judgment brought by SAPOA. In this article, Sarah breaks down what bodies corporate and sectional title owners need to know.

City of Cape Town's fixed charges declared unlawful | What the court has ruled

In this article, Sarah explores how these fixed charges were declared unlawful and if the City actually have the legal power to impose these charges the way it did?

Information Regulator’s code of conduct | Speak now or forever have your personal information accessible

In this article Nicole (T) and Sarah highlight the key differences between Draft 2: Annexure B, dated 16 February 2026 (“Draft 02”), and Draft 3: The Government Gazette dated 30 April 2026 (Draft 03).

UPCOMING EVENT

Join Sarah Sydenham (TVDM Consultants), Mike Addison (Addsure) and Tony Dellas (Decapolis Realty Solutions) in this upcoming webinar as they discuss insurance essentials for your scheme.

They will cover:

Compliance and maintenance risks
Claim repudiation and policy cancellation
Water damage across policy sections
Burst vs. wear-and-tear pipe leaks
Roof and balcony leaks
Other common water damage scenarios

⚠️ IMPORTANT REMINDER: You need an Our Neighbourhood membership to be able to access the below link.

If you do not have a membership, please sign up now, before clicking on the link below.

VIEW LINK

UPCOMING EVENT

Zerlinda van der Merwe will be participating as a panelist on Thursday, 21 May 2026, at 16h30.

The session, titled “The Evolving Tenant-Landlord Relationship: Legal Changes, Disputes, and Technology,” will explore key shifts shaping the industry today.

The event will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre.

If you are interested in finding out more information or attending the event, please use the button below.

INTERNAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICE

"Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What's important is the action." — Carrie Fisher

Zerlinda van der Merwe and Nicole Tavares

We trust that these insights continue to add practical value, to you and your scheme, as we work our way through the alphabet. If you have any topic suggestions, please email them to info@tvdmconsultants.com - we would love to hear from you!