Managing utilities in a multi-unit complex doesn’t have to be a headache. We break down how prepaid sub-metering helps HOAs and body corporates reduce admin, avoid disputes, and promote fairness.

If you’re part of a body corporate or homeowners’ association (HOA), you already know how frustrating utility billing can be. From shared municipal accounts and billing disputes to usage imbalances and manual cost recovery, traditional utility management creates headaches for both trustees and residents.

Prepaid sub-metering is changing that — offering body corporates and HOAs a cleaner, fairer, and far more efficient way to manage electricity and water billing across complexes, sectional titles, and estate developments.

The Problem with Shared Utility Billing

• Uneven Consumption: Some units use far more electricity or water than others, yet bills are divided equally. This causes resentment and conflict among residents.
• Late or Missed Payments: Bodies corporate often end up footing the bill for defaulting owners or tenants — threatening service continuity for the entire complex.
• Manual Admin: Trustees or managing agents spend time calculating pro rata charges, resolving disputes, and reconciling municipal accounts.
• No Usage Visibility: Residents have little insight into how much they’re consuming — and no incentive to reduce it.

The Prepaid Sub-Metering Solution

Khanyisa Prepaid helps body corporates take back control by installing prepaid meters in each unit, allowing residents to manage their own utility usage and payments, just like they would with airtime.

How it works:
Each unit is fitted with a certified prepaid meter. Residents purchase tokens from banks, retailers, or online, and load them directly into their meter or keypad. Usage is tracked in real time, and funds are collected upfront — not after the fact.

Benefits for Body Corporates & HOAs

✅ Fair Billing
Residents pay only for what they use — no more subsidising their neighbours.

✅ Reduced Admin
No need for complex cost splits or chasing payments. Funds are automatically allocated.

✅ Improved Cash Flow
Money is collected in advance, so there’s no risk of delayed payments or arrears.

✅ Transparency
All stakeholders can track usage, monitor loads, and resolve issues faster.

✅ Dispute-Free Living
With each unit responsible for its own utilities, community tension is reduced.

Why Khanyisa Prepaid?

We understand the unique challenges faced by managing agents, trustees, and HOAs. That’s why we offer:

• National installation teams
• SABS-approved, STS-compliant meters
• Remote support and aftercare
• Usage dashboards (optional)
• Ongoing tenant education tools
• Seamless integration for electricity and water

Whether you’re managing 5 units or 500, we can design a prepaid solution that works for your scheme.

Success in Action: What Other Estates Are Doing

From gated communities to high-rise apartment blocks, body corporates across South Africa are switching to prepaid — and reaping the benefits. Some are even extending the system to common areas (like clubhouses or irrigation pumps), enabling tighter cost control and long-term savings for the entire community.

As utility prices rise and residents become more conscious of value, prepaid sub-metering is no longer a nice-to-have — it’s a must. For HOAs and bodies corporate looking to streamline operations and reduce conflict, it’s one of the smartest moves you can make.