Sectional Title Ownership in South Africa – What Do You Own?
Buying into a sectional title scheme, whether an apartment, townhouse, or cluster, can feel exciting, but it’s also a little different from purchasing a freestanding home. In a sectional title, ownership is shared between your private unit and certain parts of the property that everyone in the scheme co-owns.
Understanding exactly what you own is essential for protecting your investment, knowing your maintenance obligations, and avoiding disputes with neighbours.
Your Section
When you purchase a sectional title property, you own a section, which is your private unit. This includes:
- All the space inside the boundary walls of your unit, as defined on the registered sectional plan.
- The floors, ceilings, and internal fixtures such as built-in cupboards, taps, and light fittings.
- Any internal plumbing or wiring that serves only your unit.
Your section ends where the median line runs – halfway through shared walls, floors, or ceilings.
Common Property
Common property is owned jointly by all unit owners in the scheme, in proportion to each owner’s participation quota (PQ). This includes:
- Driveways, stairwells, and lifts
- Gardens, recreational areas, and swimming pools
- Roofs, exterior walls, and security gates
All owners share the cost of maintaining common property through their levies.
Exclusive-Use Areas
Exclusive-use areas are parts of the common property set aside for one owner’s use, like a parking bay, garden, or courtyard.
There are two types:
- Registered Exclusive Use – Recorded in the Deeds Office and permanently linked to your unit.
- Rule-Based Exclusive Use – Created through the Body Corporate’s management or conduct rules, which can be amended by special resolution.
Even though you have sole access, the Body Corporate may still handle maintenance, with the cost recovered from you. This differs from scheme to scheme and must be confirmed by the Trustees and Managing Agent.
The Sectional Plan – Your Ownership Map
The sectional plan is a legally registered diagram that defines:
- The boundaries of each section
- The extent of common property
- Exclusive-use areas
Before making any renovations, consult the sectional plan to confirm where your ownership rights start and end, and contact the Scheme Executives for approval before you start.
Conclusion
Sectional title ownership is more than just “my home” – it’s part of a shared legal structure. You own your section outright, share in the ownership of common property, and may have exclusive-use rights to certain areas. Understanding these categories is the first step to confident, informed property ownership.
ANGOR Property Specialists helps owners and Trustees interpret sectional plans, understand ownership boundaries, and manage the shared responsibilities of a scheme.