Overcrowding - Part 3

In Part 2 of this newsletter, we looked at how Conduct Rules could prevent overcrowding in a section. In this newsletter, we will look at the consequences of overcrowding and how these can be mitigated.

Buildings are designed and constructed with a very specific occupancy thresholds in mind. Exceeding this occupancy puts significant strain on the infrastructure such as water and sewerage, pipes and doors, gates and lifts, leading to their early failure. Furthermore, increased costs of costs of water, electricity and effluent, especially where individual unit meters are not installed, places an unfair burden on those other unit owners who do adhere occupancy limits. The enjoyment by all of the common property recreation areas of a scheme such as pools and playgrounds can also be very negatively impacted due to overcrowding, resulting in animosity between residents. Managing agents advise that education and communication to residents about the evils and inequity resulting from overcrowding is critical to ensure occupancy limits as specified in the Conduct Rules are adhered to. In addition to this, an effective way to monitor and enforce the occupancy limits is via biometric access control systems, which use physical characteristics to identify an individual to grant or deny access to users , and can monitor who is permitted to access a scheme. Article courtesy of Marina Constas and Karen Bleijs Demystifying Sectional Title In the next newsletter we will look at Generators in community schemes.

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The information contained in this newsletter must be seen as a set of guidelines and does not purport to provide legal or other professional advice. If such advice is needed, consult with your legal or other qualified adviser. CIA will not accept any responsibility towards any person relying upon the contents hereof nor accept any liability whatsoever for the accuracy of information supplied by a third party or the consequences of relying upon it.

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