Willem Johannes Louw
07 Oct 2026
Key changes under the new CSOS Practice Directive.
The regulatory authority for all community schemes in South Africa, the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS), came into operation on the 7th of October 2016.
CSOS issues operational guidelines, in the form of Practice Directives and Circulars, as and when required to assist community schemes with the understanding and implementation of the Community Schemes Ombud Services Act, 9 of 2011, its Regulations and procedures.
On 18 July 2025, the CSOS released its Consolidated Practice Directive 1 of 2025, a single framework that replaces all previous circulars and guidelines. The directive streamlines governance, compliance, dispute resolution, levies, and more, while enhancing access through the CSOS Connect platform.
There are 5 key chapters highlighted in the new consolidated directive:
Registration of schemes, compliance and enforcement,
Scheme governance,
Payment collection of CSOS levies and submission of annual returns,
Dispute resolution,
Protection of personal information and access to information.
Dispute resolution of community scheme
The directive applies to all disputes within community schemes and covers a wide range of issues, such as disputes between owners, tenants, and the scheme’s governing bodies.
It further specifies the procedural steps for dispute resolution.
The application must comply with the provisions of section 38 of the CSOS Act and the expected outcome must fall within section 39 of the CSOS Act.
Applicants must have the requisite legal standing to bring the matter before CSOS.
It defines the roles of Conciliators and Adjudicators, outlines the procedures for filing disputes, and establishes the processes for hearings, conciliation, and adjudication.
These procedures are aimed at promoting fair and timely resolution of disputes.
It further ensures all parties have an equal opportunity to present their cases and that outcomes respect the rights of each party involved in the dispute.
Applicants must complete the prescribed CSOS application Form DR 1, in order to lodge an application for dispute resolution and can be completed from the CSOS Connect website at www.csos.org.za/forms, or alternatively may be obtained from any CSOS regional or satellite offices.
There is no application fee payable.
The applicant must submit proof that any prescribed internal processes for resolution of the dispute have been exhausted.
The applicant will be exempted if they can prove that the respondent has failed and/or refused to participate in any internal dispute resolution process, that the respondent rejected any invitation to internal dispute resolution process; or there is no functioning scheme executive committee.
CSOS will make a decision to refer a matter to conciliation or adjudication within 5 (five) business days after receiving all responses from the affected parties however, there are certain instances where CSOS will refer the matter directly to adjudication.
Applications may be brought on an urgent basis, and will be determined based on imminent harm, loss of life, damage or loss that may occur if the dispute is not handled on an urgent basis, the termination of essential utility services or denial of access to the scheme, common property or common infrastructure or unit.
If it is later found that the matter was not urgent, the Adjudicator may issue a cost order against the applicant in favour of the respondent, or any active participant affected materially by the application.
Parties should also be aware that adjudication orders are published and made available on the CSOS website.