Property glossary
Conduct rules
Also known as: house rules
The rules governing the day-to-day behaviour of owners, tenants and visitors in a community scheme, such as noise, pets, parking and use of common areas.
Definition
Conduct rules are the rules that regulate the behaviour of owners, occupiers and visitors within a community scheme and the use of the common property. They typically cover matters such as noise, pets, parking, refuse, signage, the appearance of units and the use of shared facilities. In a sectional title scheme they sit alongside the management rules, which deal with governance and administration. Conduct rules bind every owner and tenant and can be enforced by the trustees, the managing agent and, where needed, through CSOS.
In the South African context
In sectional title schemes the STSMA Regulations contain prescribed conduct rules that apply by default, but a body corporate may substitute, add to or amend them by the required owner resolution. Amended or new rules must be filed with CSOS, which checks that they are reasonable and apply equally to all owners before issuing a certificate; unfiled rules are not enforceable. HOAs derive their conduct rules from their constitution rather than the STSMA.
Example
A scheme's conduct rules might limit each owner to two pets and prohibit visitor parking in fire lanes, with the trustees issuing a fine or lodging a CSOS dispute against a persistent offender.
Why it matters
Properly adopted and CSOS-filed conduct rules are what make behaviour in a scheme enforceable; rules that were never filed or are unreasonable can be struck down and cannot be relied on.
Informational only — not legal advice. Confirm specifics against the current Act and your scheme’s rules.
Sources
- STSMA — Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act 8 of 2011 and its Regulations — prescribed conduct rules and the procedure to amend and file rules
- CSOS Act — Community Schemes Ombud Service Act 9 of 2011 — filing and approval of scheme rules