The Sectional Title Schemes Management Act, 8 of 2011 enables a body corporate to impose rules on its members and to amend these rules, provided this is done with the consent of the sectional title scheme members.
Once agreed upon, all members within the sectional title scheme are bound by these management and conduct rules. A special meeting can be held at which members can vote to include a rule allowing the imposing of fines on members of the body corporate if this was not originally included in the body corporate rules.
Fines are typically issued by the trustees of the body corporate or by the managing agent in cases such as:
These are simply examples, and the reasons for a fine will depend on the specific rules which vary in each sectional title scheme.
The body corporate rules and regulations will stipulate the procedure to be followed when a fine is issued against one of the members, which would normally entail that the transgressor is notified in writing of the fine and the amount thereof.
It is of the utmost importance that the members, trustees and managing agents follow the body corporate rules and regulations when imposing fines in order for the matter to be dealt with in a fair and orderly manner and to avoid any disputes or negative consequences later on.