Can I rent out my sectional title unit as holiday accommodation?
“I have a sectional title unit at the coast, which I only use a
few times a year. I would like to rent out the unit for holiday
accommodation, but am unsure whether I can just do this?”
Short term holiday letting has become quite fashionable, with
increasing numbers of websites enabling an owner to easily rent
out his property for holiday accommodation.
Where the property to be rented falls within a sectional title
scheme, the unit is subject to the scheme rules. This means that
before you rent out your sectional title unit as holiday
accommodation, it would be prudent to review the scheme’s
management and conduct rules to make sure there are no prohibitions
to such letting. The Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act also
requires that an owner must inform the body corporate of any change
in ownership or occupancy of the unit.
In addition, unit owners must ensure that their holiday tenants do
not cause a nuisance to other permanent residents or occupants. You
should give your tenants a copy of the schemes rules and ensure they
sign to adhere to such scheme rules. One can easily imagine other
unit owners becoming perturbed if rules regarding security, parking,
noise, refuse removal, water use etc. are not met by holiday tenants.
You will also have to ensure that the zoning regulations allow such
short-term letting. If there are zoning restrictions these may also
limit your ability to rent out the unit or require the necessary
permission to be obtained before you rent the property.
If you are unsure whether your unit can be rented out for holiday
accommodation, it may be a good idea to talk to a property specialist
to help you determine any restrictions or requirements to you doing so.
SOURCE: Phatshoanehenney Attorneys
