FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Waterford?
Waterford is a sectional title residential development in Howick comprising 42 units on a 4.6 hectare site.

When will the Waterford Body Corporate be formed?
The Body Corporate was formed as soon as the first unit was transferred after the Sectional Title Register was opened at the Deeds Office..

How will Waterford be managed?
Waterford will be run by trustees of the Body Corporate comprising:

• 1 trustee representing the developer (BRC Holdings)
• 2 trustees nominated by the residents of Waterford

The trustees will be responsible for the management of Waterford including the appointment of an independent agent or estate manager to run the day-to-day financial and secretarial affairs of the Body Corporate. As required by law, the trustees are elected on an annual basis at each Annual General Meeting of the Body Corporate.

Who is the Developer?
The Developer is BRC Holdings cc comprising three directors who are joint owners of the property, namely Terence Christian and John Bamber of Howick and Robin Hammond of Johannesburg . John Bamber has been appointed as Project Director and in this capacity he is responsible for managing the entire development, including the Professional team and building contractors.

Has a bank committed itself to providing funding for the development?
Development finance is being provided by Investec Bank.

What options of tenure are available at Waterford ?
All units at Waterford are being sold as a "plot and plan". in terms of the Sectional Title Act.

How is the purchase price apportioned ?
The purchase price is shown as:-

• Price of land and
• Price of Construction (includes NHBRC and registration fee.)

How long will the process take?
Construction must commence within 6 months of the transfer to the purchaser and within 2 months of the completion the seller is obliged to do what is necessary to incorporate the unit into the development scheme.

How can I be sure that the developer will register my home in the Sectional Title Register?
Should this not happen, the financial institution may proceed to do this at the seller's cost. To facilitate this the seller also agrees to have sufficient funds retained by the Conveyancers and held in trust of each unit, to be released on incorporation of the top structure into the Sectional Title Scheme.

Is there a Building Contract?
The Purchaser will be required to sign the Building Contract provided by the seller at the time of signing of the Agreement of Sale for Waterford .

Will Waterford incorporate an architectural theme?
Waterford has a theme incorporating sand-coloured exterior walls above face-brick plinths under terracotta coloured cement tiles, with white cottage-paned windows and reveals. Units will have generous covered verandahs or wooden decks overlooking an enclosed and private wetland, as with the existing homes.

What security and safety precautions are to be provided?
An electrified perimeter fence has been installed as a permanent security feature. The development will be access-controlled through automated gates at the entrance. On completion of Waterford , the main access will be from Hayfields Road near the intersection with Link Road . This access will have remote-controlled electric gates. Exiting from the property will be electronically automated through a ground loop.

Are we allowed any pets?
Due to the ecologically sensitive nature of the Wetland only small pets will be permitted subject to the prior consent of the Trustees.

Is there a garden area for my use and who looks after it?
All units will have an Exclusive Use Area which is registered along with the sectional title and owners will be encouraged to establish their own gardens . A gardening service is included in the levy. This service will maintain the common areas and will cut lawns within the EUAs if required.

Will I be required to use approved plants only?
Within your exclusive use area there will be no restrictions on plant types although indigenous planting will be encouraged.

What restrictions are there on conducting a business from my unit?
You may work or conduct a business from your unit subject to approval by the Trustees, and provided this does not interfere with other resident's lifestyles or contravene the Umngeni Municipality 's By-Laws.

Are live-in domestics permitted?
Residents may employ domestics, but no provision has been made for accommodation in the design of the units other than the provision for additional ablutions. Each domestic will need to be issued with an access identification card for security purposes and none will be issued with or allowed possession of a remote control for the access points.

Can I specify customized finishes of my choice for my unit?
Yes. An extensive range of customized finishes are available within stipulated PC amounts.

What building modifications am I permitted to make?
All external modifications require the consent of the Developer and the Body corporate, after the house has been registered.

Who will be responsible for the maintenance?
The maintenance of the interior of each unit is the responsibility of the individual owner while the maintenance of the exterior is the responsibility of the Body Corporate. Owners will be encouraged to maintain exteriors of units and surrounding gardens.

How much will the maintenance of the exterior cost me?
Exterior maintenance will be provided for in the composition of the levy structure.

Is there a storage area for boats and caravans? 
No.

What insurance cover do I need arrange?
The Body Corporate will insure all buildings based on a gross replacement value. The buildings will be insured through Genesis Insurance Brokers and the cost of this insurance will be included in the levy. It will be the responsibility of each resident to insure personal contents. 

What levies are payable and what do they include?
A detailed estimate for the levies is available from the Trustees. This estimate lists all items in the levy including a breakdown of how levies are apportioned against each item of expenditure. 

What outgoings may I be expected to pay (not covered in the levy?)
The cost of water and electricity consumed within each unit.

Can the units be purchased as an investment and rented out?
Yes.