Understand the ordinary levy, any special levy and whether amounts are likely to change.
The unit is only part of the purchase. Read the scheme around it.
For sectional title, estates and other community schemes, due diligence should cover shared finances, rules, maintenance and governance — not only the walls you viewed.
South Africa onlyPrimary-source checkedLast reviewed 17 Aug 2026
When you buy into a scheme, you are also buying into rules, budgets and shared responsibilities.
CSOS defines community schemes broadly to include sectional-title developments, homeowners' associations, share-block companies, retirement housing schemes and housing co-operatives. That means the property decision is not only about the unit: governance documents, finances and rules can materially affect ownership.
Documents worth requesting before you commit.
Look for whether routine expenses and planned maintenance are being funded realistically.
Check rules that can affect pets, parking, renovations, letting, short stays, use of common areas and other day-to-day choices.
Recent minutes can surface planned capital projects, disputes, security issues and governance questions that are not visible during a viewing.
Clarify what the scheme covers and what remains the owner's responsibility.
Ask whether there are material disputes or compliance issues relevant to the unit or scheme. CSOS provides regulation, education and dispute resolution across all nine provinces.
Levies are an ownership cost, not an optional extra.
Rates and levies are different. Municipal rates are local-government charges; scheme levies fund shared scheme obligations and services. A low purchase price can still produce an uncomfortable monthly ownership number if levies, rates, utilities, insurance and maintenance are not modelled together.
Five questions before signing
- What is the total current monthly levy and what does it cover?
- Is a special levy approved, proposed or reasonably foreseeable from current projects?
- Which rules would change how I intend to use the property?
- What major maintenance or capital work is planned?
- Are there material disputes, arrears or governance issues I should understand?
Questions South African property users ask
Are levies the same as municipal rates?
No. Levies are raised within the community-scheme governance structure for shared obligations and services, while rates are municipal charges.
Does CSOS only cover sectional title?
No. CSOS describes community schemes more broadly, including sectional title, homeowners associations, share blocks, retirement housing schemes and housing co-operatives.
This guide is general information for South African property users, not legal, tax, credit or financial advice. Rules, fees and lender requirements can change. Verify the current position with the linked authority and the appropriate registered professional before committing to a transaction.