Sectional Title Levy Calculator — South Africa
Estimate sectional title levies for South African complexes. Budget for body corporate, admin, and special levies.
Last updated: May 2026
Calculates total monthly levy obligations for a sectional title unit — including admin levy, reserve fund contribution, and special levies — and shows the full annual cost of ownership.
Key inputs explained
- Admin levy
- Monthly operational costs (security, gardens, cleaning, building insurance, management fees).
- Reserve fund levy
- Mandatory contributions toward future capital repairs (roof, lifts, pipes, painting).
- Special levy
- Once-off or time-limited additional levy for urgent repairs not covered by the reserve fund.
The STSM Act requires a reserve fund equal to at least 25% of the annual admin levy budget. Underfunded reserves often lead to large special levies — check before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
A sectional title levy is your monthly contribution to the body corporate of a complex. It covers: the admin levy (day-to-day running costs like common area electricity, security, cleaning, management fees), the reserve fund levy (saving for future major repairs like roof replacement), and any special levies for unplanned expenses.
Yes — the reserve fund levy is mandatory under the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act. Bodies corporate must maintain a reserve fund for future major maintenance and repairs. A 10-year maintenance plan must be prepared and the reserve fund must be funded to meet at least the first 3 years of projected major expenses.
Levy increases are set in the annual budget approved at the AGM. The trustees propose a budget and owners vote on it. Special levies for unbudgeted expenses can be raised by the trustees within certain limits, but large special levies require owner approval at a general or special meeting.
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