Caught in the levies trap of estate living

Levies may be a noose if you’re not prepared.

In a country where the economy has been unforgiving, the worker bee is feeling the pressure.

It is bound to happen that here and there, a bill or two will fall behind. The worst for me is the levies bill.

In a place and time where we seek refuge in the safety of complexes and estates, the safety that we buy buries us in the form of unimaginably high costs of levies.

Recently, the High Court in Johannesburg ordered a homeowner who owes over R107 000 in unpaid levies and electricity, to settle his debt or remain in an electricity-free unit.

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Now, when we sign up for estate/complex living, we do so knowing the implications, yet the unfortunate thing is that life happens to us all. But do we really get the services we pay for?

When we hear that the estates in Pretoria and Dainfern have had their lights switched off due to illegal connections when levies are paid over but services not rendered, what is the point of it all?

The body corporate plays a pivotal role in maintaining the complex, enforcing rules and managing the communal finances. I can attest that in many situations, estates are near derelict and the value of the levies are unseen.

Yet, the body corporates are quick to run to courts for unpaid levies, peeling paint, potholed driveways and broken intercoms; a bit cheeky to demand payments when the services are partially delivered.

Neglecting to evaluate the overall management, financial health and effectiveness of the body corporate can lead to challenges in the long run.

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A friend lost her house in an affluent Ballito estate when she could no longer pay the levies. Her bond was up to date, but the levies lagged behind when she lost her job during a Cabinet reshuffle.

A rather sad affair because we seek the refuge and safety of estate living, knowing we have 24- hour security and access control, but we cannot afford to keep up with that very cost-of-living.

The body corporate depends on the recovery of levies and municipal charges for its survival. Yet, the same homeowner depends on the body corporate to deliver on services promised to fully enjoy the quality of the property.

It is a mutually beneficial relationship that must be watered on both ends. The court cases between residents and body corporates are a reminder that levies are meant to benefit both parties.

There are obligations from both parties.

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