If you are a sectional title resident or manage one, on a body corporate, live in a block of flats, form part of a homeowners association, or a retirement housing scheme, share block company and housing cooperative – you need to ensure that your community scheme is registered with the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS). Not only is it required by law, but there are also many benefits.

OFM Content Manager Elzette Boucher-Krüger spoke to the acting chief ombud, Thembelihle Mbatha.

The Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) is a body that was established by government to, among other responsibilities, regulate Community schemes, such as sectional titles, block of flats, homeowners’ associations, retirement housing schemes, share block companies and housing cooperatives.

The CSOS as a national entity under the Department of Human Settlements is expected to have presence across all the nine provinces.

The Ombud Service was established in terms of the Community Schemes Ombud Service Act, 2011 (Act No 9 of 2011) to regulate the conduct of parties within community schemes.