Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Automatic contract renewals

  1. #1
    Full Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    72
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts

    Automatic contract renewals

    I have been asked to sign a management agreement on behalf of a Body Corporate.

    One of the clauses refers to the automatic renewal of the contract after after expiry of the initial period unless notice of termination is given by either party 3 months before the renewal date.

    My understanding is that automatic renewals are no longer considered legal. Can anyone advise me on that score?

  2. #2
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,648
    Thanks
    3,304
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    Quote Originally Posted by Richard S View Post
    My understanding is that automatic renewals are no longer considered legal. Can anyone advise me on that score?
    Your understanding likely arises from section 14 of the Consumer Protection Act. However, section 14 (1) limits applicability as follows:

    This section does not apply to transactions between juristic persons regardless of their annual turnover or asset value.
    Thus the Body Corporate is not protected in this regard.

    Given the general limitations of applicability contained in Section 5, it's probably worth mentioning that most Body Corporates have no protection in terms of the Consumer Protection Act anyway.

  3. #3
    Diamond Member Justloadit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Johannesburg
    Posts
    3,479
    Thanks
    134
    Thanked 695 Times in 593 Posts
    Blog Entries
    1
    Simply cross out automatic renewal, and place that the contract will change to a monthly renewal with 30 days for cancellation.

    If they do not accept, then find another supplier!
    Victor - Knowledge is a blessing or a curse, your current circumstances make you decide!
    Solar pumping, Solar Geyser & Solar Security lighting solutions - www.microsolve.co.za

  4. #4
    Silver Member Greig Whitton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Cape Town
    Posts
    338
    Thanks
    33
    Thanked 105 Times in 86 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Dave A View Post
    Thus the Body Corporate is not protected in this regard.
    Only if the body corporate's service provider is itself a juristic person (which is likely a reasonable assumption, but worth highlighting nonetheless).

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave A View Post
    Given the general limitations of applicability contained in Section 5, it's probably worth mentioning that most Body Corporates have no protection in terms of the Consumer Protection Act anyway.
    How so? If you're referring to the asset value / annual turnover threshold for juristic persons, many smaller Body Corporates would still be protected by the CPA.

    Founder of Growth Surge - Helping entrepreneurs create more wealth and enjoy more freedom.

  5. #5
    Full Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    72
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
    Thank you all for your input, it greatly appreciated. Yep, both juristic persons, although a small-ish complex of 15 units. That point escaped me at the time of posting.

    After some discussion it was mutually agreed to simply remove the automatic renewal clause altogether.

  6. #6
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,648
    Thanks
    3,304
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    Quote Originally Posted by Greig Whitton View Post
    If you're referring to the asset value / annual turnover threshold for juristic persons, many smaller Body Corporates would still be protected by the CPA.
    The stats on credit apps from Body Corporates I receive at my company suggest otherwise.

  7. #7
    Silver Member Greig Whitton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Cape Town
    Posts
    338
    Thanks
    33
    Thanked 105 Times in 86 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Dave A View Post
    The stats on credit apps from Body Corporates I receive at my company suggest otherwise.
    Fair enough. My comment was based on the most recent annual financials of the Body Corporate where I live, which reflects an asset value and annual turnover well under the CPA threshold.

    Founder of Growth Surge - Helping entrepreneurs create more wealth and enjoy more freedom.

  8. #8
    Silver Member Greig Whitton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Cape Town
    Posts
    338
    Thanks
    33
    Thanked 105 Times in 86 Posts
    Also worth mentioning that individual owners (and potentially their tenants as well, assuming they rent) would likely be protected by the CPA with respect to the Body Corporate's managing agent (and other service providers) even if the Body Corporate itself is not (given the CPA's extremely broad definition of "consumer").

    Founder of Growth Surge - Helping entrepreneurs create more wealth and enjoy more freedom.

  9. #9
    Suspended
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Had enough
    Posts
    3,358
    Thanks
    114
    Thanked 213 Times in 201 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Greig Whitton View Post
    Also worth mentioning that individual owners (and potentially their tenants as well, assuming they rent) would likely be protected by the CPA with respect to the Body Corporate's managing agent (and other service providers) even if the Body Corporate itself is not (given the CPA's extremely broad definition of "consumer").

    Isn't that what the newly formed "Ombudsman" role is ?

Similar Threads

  1. [Question] Charging Vat on Vehicle Licence Renewals
    By crobbertse123@gmail.com in forum Tax Forum
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 21-Nov-16, 12:50 PM
  2. CANCELLED A VODACOM CONTRACT AFTER CONTRACT ENDED BUT STILL GETTING CHARGED
    By Phila in forum Consumer Protection Act Forum
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-Jul-15, 07:37 AM
  3. Replies: 10
    Last Post: 22-Oct-13, 11:15 AM
  4. where to find out about car registration renewals?
    By SilverNodashi in forum General Chat Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 17-Sep-07, 01:30 PM

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •