#TshwaneYaTima campaign highlights need for sectional title scheme education
“They loan money to get things done on the buildings, which just places them in a more precarious financial position.”
The Tshwane metro’s recent campaign to recover money owed to it has highlighted some much-needed lessons for sectional title scheme trustees and executives.
This was according to Pearl Scheltema, CEO of Fitzanne Estates, who said proper training would aid in the running of schemes in a financially responsible way.
Scheltema said in recent years the payment of levies had been a big issue.
“Many buildings were in big trouble resulting from slow payment of levies or no payment at all.”
According to Scheltema, many owners said they could not settle their debts because of Covid-19 and the outstanding payments were not looking great too.
“They loan money to get things done on the buildings, which just places them in a more precarious financial position.
“Alternatively, they take radical, illegal steps like cutting power, which is not permitted by law, to get owners to comply.
“Then suddenly, a repayment might be placed on the table.”
Scheltema said a re-education drive may be necessary.
“[This will] get landlords to realise that by not paying their levies, or paying it in drips and drabs, they are putting other scheme owners at a disadvantage when they do not meet their financial responsibilities.”
Scheltema said if trustees are financially uneducated, they will get support and proper training from the managing agent.
The Tshwane metro caused a big stir with their highly-publicised #TshwaneYaTima campaign, which was rolled out via Twitter in mid-February.
Following its announcement, Tshwane mayor Randall William instructed plumbers and electricians to disconnect the meters of various organisations and government departments whose service outstanding payments amounted to over R55-million.
ALSO READ: Parts of Centurion remain without power amid ongoing metro strike
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