Published: 17 April 2026
When you live in a Sectional Title Scheme, there’s more than just your unit — there’s a shared environment that supports the entire community. This is known as common property, and it plays a central role in how your scheme is managed, maintained, and funded.
What is Common Property?
Common property is everything in the scheme that is not part of a private section.
This can include:
Every owner has an undivided share in the common property — meaning it belongs to all owners collectively.
Who Manages the Common Property?
The Body Corporate is responsible for managing and controlling all common property.
This responsibility is carried out by the Trustees, who are appointed to:
Trustees don’t act independently — they act within the law and based on decisions taken by owners.
Trustee Responsibilities: More Than Just Maintenance
Trustees are placed in a fiduciary position, which means they must always act in the best interests of the scheme.
Their responsibilities include:
In short: Trustees are responsible for protecting the value and sustainability of the scheme.
Owner Responsibilities: Your Role Matters Too
While Trustees manage the scheme, owners play a critical role in how well it functions.
Owners must:
Scheme living works best when owners understand that shared spaces require shared responsibility.
Exclusive Use Areas (EUAs): A Common Misunderstanding
Areas like gardens, parking bays, or patios may be allocated to a specific owner — these are called exclusive use areas.
It is important to note:
Maintenance responsibilities depend on the scheme’s rules, and in many cases, the benefiting owner carries the cost.
Maintenance & Repairs: Who Is Responsible?
This is one of the most practical aspects of common property.
As a general guide:
However, responsibility is not always straightforward and depends on a number of factors, including:
While certain infrastructure may form part of common property, there are circumstances where an owner may still carry responsibility or share in the cost.
Common property may not be repaired, altered, or interfered with by owners under any circumstances without the necessary approval.
Can Owners Make Changes to Common Property?
Short answer: No — not without the correct approval.
Owners may not alter, improve, or build on common property unless the required consent has been obtained in terms of the scheme’s rules and applicable approvals.
This includes changes such as:
Where an area is an exclusive use area (EUA), the position is often misunderstood:
Approval may also be subject to reasonable conditions, including compliance with aesthetics, municipal requirements, and ongoing maintenance obligations.
No alterations to common property or exclusive use areas may be undertaken at an owner’s discretion — all such changes are controlled by the Body Corporate and must follow the prescribed approval process.
Improvements to Common Property by the Body Corporate
Changes or upgrades to common property (like security systems, additional parking, or facilities) must follow strict processes.
Depending on the nature of the improvement:
Trustees cannot simply make improvements — owner approval is required.
Why Common Property Matters
Well-managed common property:
Common property is not just shared space — it is a shared asset that requires proper management, funding, and oversight.
When Trustees manage it responsibly and owners understand their role, the scheme runs efficiently, remains financially stable, and continues to grow in value.
Common property is everything in the scheme that is not part of a private section.
This can include:
- The land the scheme is built on
- Gardens, driveways, and parking areas
- Roofs, foundations, and outer walls up to the median(middle) line
- Entrances, passages, and shared facilities like pools or clubhouses
Every owner has an undivided share in the common property — meaning it belongs to all owners collectively.
Who Manages the Common Property?
The Body Corporate is responsible for managing and controlling all common property.
This responsibility is carried out by the Trustees, who are appointed to:
- Manage and maintain the scheme
- Make decisions on behalf of all owners
- Ensure the scheme remains financially and legally compliant
Trustees don’t act independently — they act within the law and based on decisions taken by owners.
Trustee Responsibilities: More Than Just Maintenance
Trustees are placed in a fiduciary position, which means they must always act in the best interests of the scheme.
Their responsibilities include:
- Maintaining and repairing common property
- Ensuring buildings are properly insured
- Managing administrative and reserve funds
- Enforcing scheme rules
- Making decisions that protect the scheme’s assets
In short: Trustees are responsible for protecting the value and sustainability of the scheme.
Owner Responsibilities: Your Role Matters Too
While Trustees manage the scheme, owners play a critical role in how well it functions.
Owners must:
- Maintain their own sections
- Use common property responsibly
- Obtain approval before making any alterations to common property
- Contribute financially through levies
Scheme living works best when owners understand that shared spaces require shared responsibility.
Exclusive Use Areas (EUAs): A Common Misunderstanding
Areas like gardens, parking bays, or patios may be allocated to a specific owner — these are called exclusive use areas.
It is important to note:
- These areas are still common property
- They are simply reserved for one owner’s use
Maintenance responsibilities depend on the scheme’s rules, and in many cases, the benefiting owner carries the cost.
Maintenance & Repairs: Who Is Responsible?
This is one of the most practical aspects of common property.
As a general guide:
- Common property is maintained by the Body Corporate
- Sections are maintained by the owner
However, responsibility is not always straightforward and depends on a number of factors, including:
- The location of the item (within a section, on common property, or within an exclusive use area)
- The function of the item (whether it serves one section or multiple sections)
- The scheme’s rules and any registered exclusive use arrangements
- The type of repair (maintenance vs replacement)
While certain infrastructure may form part of common property, there are circumstances where an owner may still carry responsibility or share in the cost.
Common property may not be repaired, altered, or interfered with by owners under any circumstances without the necessary approval.
Can Owners Make Changes to Common Property?
Short answer: No — not without the correct approval.
Owners may not alter, improve, or build on common property unless the required consent has been obtained in terms of the scheme’s rules and applicable approvals.
This includes changes such as:
- Enclosing patios
- Installing structures (pergolas, awnings, decking, etc.)
- Attaching fixtures to external walls (air-conditioners, cameras, satellite dishes)
- Altering windows, doors, or the exterior appearance
- Extending a section or incorporating common property into a section
Where an area is an exclusive use area (EUA), the position is often misunderstood:
- An EUA remains common property
- An owner may only make improvements if this is permitted in the rules (in which case Trustee approval may be required), or
- With the consent of owners at a general meeting in terms of the Management Rules
Approval may also be subject to reasonable conditions, including compliance with aesthetics, municipal requirements, and ongoing maintenance obligations.
No alterations to common property or exclusive use areas may be undertaken at an owner’s discretion — all such changes are controlled by the Body Corporate and must follow the prescribed approval process.
Improvements to Common Property by the Body Corporate
Changes or upgrades to common property (like security systems, additional parking, or facilities) must follow strict processes.
Depending on the nature of the improvement:
- Reasonably necessary improvements → Special resolution
- Not reasonably necessary improvements → Unanimous resolution
Trustees cannot simply make improvements — owner approval is required.
Why Common Property Matters
Well-managed common property:
- Protects and enhances property values
- Ensures safety and compliance
- Reduces long-term maintenance costs
- Creates a better living environment for all residents
Common property is not just shared space — it is a shared asset that requires proper management, funding, and oversight.
When Trustees manage it responsibly and owners understand their role, the scheme runs efficiently, remains financially stable, and continues to grow in value.
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