The Trustees want to install pre-paid water meters but only wants to give 7 days notice of the meeting. They say it is allowed in terms of the STSM Act. What can we advise them?
The STSM Act states this
PMR 29
(4) A body corporate may on the authority of a special resolution install separate pre-payment meters on the common property to control the supply of water or electricity to a section or exclusive use area; provided that all members and occupiers of sections must be given at least 60 days notice of the proposed resolution with details of all costs associated with the installation of the pre-payment system and its estimated effect on the cost of the services over the next three years.
In terms of short notice the Act states the following:
PMR 15
(7) A general meeting may be called—
(a) on 7 days’ notice if the trustees have resolved that short notice is necessary due to the urgency of the matter and set out their reasons for this resolution; provided that the trustees must not take such a resolution in regard to a meeting referred to in rule 29(2) or (4);
If they still insist on giving 7 days notice we need to explain to them that any owner can go to CSOS and invalidate the meeting / decision but we have to follow the instructions from the Trustees.