Garden Landscaping and Tree Removal: What Trustees and Owners in Community Schemes Should Know

Community schemes, especially sectional title complexes, often boast well-maintained landscaped gardens that enhance the property's appeal and value. However, these gardens, including soil, grass, trees, and plants, are generally excluded from standard insurance policies as they are susceptible to natural elements and are not classified as structural improvements.

At Status Mark, we aim to clarify what is and isn’t covered under sectional title insurance concerning garden landscaping and tree removal. Insurance policies typically limit coverage for landscaped areas to between R5,000 and R10,000, and this is often limited to certain situations, such as damage by emergency vehicles attending fires. Some insurers may extend cover to include events like fire, explosion, vehicle or aircraft impact, and occasionally flood or intentional damage.

For trustees and owners, it’s essential to carefully review policy terms, as coverage can vary between insurers. Most policies exclude damage to gardens from natural events like storms, wind, hail, earthquakes, and soil subsidence. Likewise, theft or malicious damage to landscaping is usually not covered.

Regarding tree removal, insurers generally cover costs (typically up to R5,000) if a fallen tree causes damage to insured structures. If a tree falls without causing such damage, or if only the stump needs removal, coverage is typically not provided.

Moreover, in cases of landslide, rockfall, or storm deposits affecting gardens, policies usually only respond if buildings are damaged, and the debris removal is necessary to restore the property.

Understanding these coverage limitations is vital for trustees and owners to manage expectations around garden maintenance and protection. Always review your policy to understand exactly what is covered under specific circumstances.

At Status Mark, we encourage all our clients to seek the right advice and to review their insurance policies thoroughly. This ensures adequate coverage for all aspects of property ownership, including the upkeep and protection of landscaped areas and outdoor spaces.