Dear YourProperty Can you please advise who is responsible for the boundary wall of a complex - the owner of the property next to the boundary wall or the body corporate of the complex? My question stems from the main borehole water pipe from the complex bursting due to high water pressure into my garden on three occasions now, which has resulted in a lot of damage to my garden as well as a … [Read more...]
Search Results for: Drainage
Body corporate responsible for maintenance to sectional title scheme
A reader has asked the YourProperty expert to clarify who is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of certain areas of a sectional title scheme and has two specific and immediate concerns. His first question relates to the boundary wall of the complex, while the second is about damage resulting from a burst water pipe in his garden. See the reader's questions here. As a starting … [Read more...]
How to contact sectional title trustees
A reader has asked our experts to assist with a matter involving an uncooperative managing agent who was appointed by the trustees to oversee the sectional title complex in which she resides. … [Read more...]
Damp brings tenant down
Another unhappy tenant has contacted the Property Poser panel regarding her rented abode, which appears to be in rather a sorry damp state. The reader writes that the property was in a very good condition when she first moved in. However, there is an enclosed veranda that becomes very damp when it rains, as there is no proper drainage for the rainwater. It appears that the dampness has now … [Read more...]
Landlord washes hands of blocked drains
A reader has contacted the Property Poser experts about a blocked drainage system in her rented granny flat, which the landlord refuses to fix. The tenant writes that the problem has affected the water outlets, including the bath and basin, and the toilet. She used chemicals to try to remedy the problem. These helped a little but only for a short while, until the main house – which is also … [Read more...]
A complex stormwater problem
The Property Poser experts are often inundated with queries about stormwater run-off from neighbouring properties and this week's scenario comes from a reader who lives in a sectional title complex. The reader explains that the area in which he lives was flooded some time ago, while he was abroad. At the time, his neighbour outside the complex knocked down the wall separating the two … [Read more...]
Quick reference
Click one of these links for a quick solution to your problem. This page will be updated continuously. Annual General Meeting (AGM) Body corporate Chairman/Chairperson Commission Consumer Protection Act Co-ownership Deeds office Deposit Developer Divorce Drainage Eviction Fixture Fiduciary relationship Habitatio Homeowners Association (HOA) Huur gaat voor … [Read more...]
Power lines put second storey in jeopardy
A frustrated reader would like to add a second storey to his house, but is prohibited by local authorities to do so. The reason is that the roof will then be closer than the prescribed three metres to power lines that were installed by the municipality after he had purchased the property. He says he was never approached by the municipality for permission to install the lines over his … [Read more...]
Stormwater runoff causes irritation
With all the rain that has fallen across the country recently, it is not surprising to hear from a reader who complains about the manner in which his neighbour diverts stormwater runoff. He writes that his neighbour has made numerous holes in their shared boundary wall, diverting stormwater to the reader's side. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the properties are on an incline, with … [Read more...]
Power lines put second storey in jeopardy
A frustrated reader would like to add a second storey to his house, but is prohibited by local authorities to do so. The reason is that the roof will then be closer than the prescribed three metres to power lines that were installed by the municipality after he had purchased the property. He says he was never approached by the municipality for permission to install the lines over his … [Read more...]
What the duties and responsibilities of letting agents are
Our panel has received a disturbing letter from a reader, outlining several complaints and concerns about tenants renting a house in their neighbourhood. According to the reader, the house and yard are in a terrible state. Cars and trucks are being repaired on the premises, drainage pipes have broken off and sewerage sometimes runs down the street. The letting agent and the tenants allegedly … [Read more...]
