Property glossary
Sectional title
Also known as: sectional title scheme, sectional ownership
A form of ownership where a buyer owns an individual section of a building plus an undivided share of the common property.
Definition
Sectional title is a form of property ownership that allows a person to own a defined section (such as a flat, townhouse or office unit) within a larger development, together with an undivided share in the common property. The common property includes land, driveways, gardens, lifts and shared building elements owned jointly by all owners. Each unit is registered separately at the Deeds Office, can be bought, sold and mortgaged independently, and carries a participation quota that fixes its share of levies and voting power.
In the South African context
Sectional title is created under the Sectional Titles Act 95 of 1986, which deals with the survey, registration and ownership of sections, while the management of the scheme is governed by the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act (STSMA, Act 8 of 2011). On registration of the sectional plan and transfer of the first unit, a body corporate is automatically formed to manage the scheme. Sectional title schemes are community schemes and fall under CSOS oversight.
Example
A buyer purchasing Unit 12 in a block gets registered title to that flat plus, say, a 3% undivided share of the common property, and pays levies in proportion to that participation quota.
Why it matters
Sectional title is the dominant ownership model for flats and townhouse complexes in South Africa, so understanding it underpins levy calculation, transfers and scheme governance.
Informational only — not legal advice. Confirm specifics against the current Act and your scheme’s rules.
Sources
- Sectional Titles Act — Sectional Titles Act 95 of 1986 — creation, survey and registration of sectional title ownership
- STSMA — Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act 8 of 2011 — management of sectional title schemes