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Tips for body corporate administration
We all know that a good corporate body is a key element in making sure that a sectional title scheme can function properly in South Africa. This group of people has to contribute to the sectional title community and try to benefit all the stakeholders at the same time – which can be a tough and time consuming job. The corporate body and the corporate body manager (person appointed by the corporate body to take care of certain tasks) all have a specific function and their jobs have to be outlined so that everyone knows what is expected of them.
The corporate body manager
A corporate body manager needs to have the following characteristics:
- A good knowledge of sectional titles rules and regulations
- A great communicator and mediator
- The ability to act impartially and share his professional advice
- Be able to interpret financial budgets and statements
- Great time management skills
- Is a team player
Outline of the body corporate manager’s job
The body corporate manager is a person that has been chosen by the corporate body of a sectional title scheme to take control of the administration. Although a body corporate can decide what authority and responsibility they are going to give the corporate body manager, they will mostly take care of the following duties:
Secretarial duties: Notifying the necessary people of any meetings, making sure that records are ready for inspection, providing individual unit owners with statements and certificates, attending meetings and attending to communications.
Financial duties: controlling bank accounts, preparing budgets and financial statements, paying accounts.
It is not the body corporate manager’s role to make decisions for the body corporate. Because he or she has expert knowledge in sectional titles, the body corporate manager should be able to advise the rest of the committee about any legislation or regulation that could affect any decisions being made. The role of the corporate body manager is very important when handling sectional titles in South Africa. Although his or her role is essential, a successful corporate body will only emerge from professional individuals that are working together, always with the sectional title community’s best interests at heart. | 
