How the pieces of sectional title ownership fit together

11 June 2019, Corlia van Zyl 3183

A Sectional Title Scheme will always comprise of units, which is the flat or townhouse that you live in, and common property, which are all the spaces in the scheme that do not form part of a unit, such as the driveway, parking spaces, employee quarters and so forth.

Depending on the size and layout of the scheme, sectional title ownership will consist of at least two components, and in some instances of three.

The following two components will always form part of sectional ownership, namely:

1. individual ownership of a section, and
2. an undivided share in the common property.

The third component that can be added to sectional title ownership is known as a right to an exclusive-use area, such as a garden or a balcony.

As owner of a unit, you are therefore owner of a part of the building of the scheme, as well as a co-owner of the common property, as the common property is held by all the owners together. The components of sectional title ownership are inseparably linked and must be sold or mortgaged as an entity. You cannot for instance sell your unit while holding on to the ownership of your garden.

Watch this space if you would like to know more about what a section, undivided share in the common property, and an exclusive use area are!

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