Table of Contents
Why I created EstateIQ
After seven years as a trustee in a sectional title scheme, I needed practical tools to assist me in the role. I know how draining the role can be. It’s not just the late-night messages about burst geysers or noise complaints. It’s the non-stop admin, constant compliance obligations, and the never-ending search for clear guidance in the middle of legislative grey areas.
If you’re a trustee reading this, I don’t need to explain it. You already know.
That’s exactly why I built EstateIQ. Not because I thought the industry needed another tech tool, but because I was struggling to keep up, and I knew I wasn’t alone.
The Real-Life Admin Avalanche
Here’s a familiar scenario:
It’s a Wednesday evening. You’ve barely finished your day job, and your phone starts buzzing:
- A new tenant asking where to find the move-in form
- An owner who wants to install a gas stove and needs approval info
- A fellow trustee trying to double-check if the pet policy lines up with STSMA
You spend the next two hours flipping through folders, combing through legislation, and typing out replies. Just like that, another night is gone.
This was my reality. Every week. For years.
*Missing*: Practical Tools for Trustees
We already have managing agents. And we need them. We also have rules, regulations, and plenty of platforms. But what I couldn’t find was a tool that worked for us — trustees.
Something that:
- Understood the specific compliance pressure we’re under
- Made things simpler, not more complicated
- Took repetitive admin off our plates without needing hours of setup or training
EstateIQ: A Trustee-First Approach
EstateIQ isn’t a replacement for managing agents. It’s a companion tool that fills the gaps trustees face daily. The admin, the approvals, the repeated questions, the legal uncertainty.
The EstateIQ AI Assistant: Help When You Need It
If you need practical tools that help in the real world, look no further. Imagine you had an assistant who knew your estate rules, the STSMA, CSOSA, and could quote legal clauses word-for-word? At any time?
That’s what the EstateIQ AI Assistant does.
Three dedicated assistants:
- Trustee Assistant – compliance support and trustee queries
- Owner Assistant – estate rules, forms, and processes
- Tenant Assistant – move-ins, general guidance, estate-specific info
No setup. No tech skills needed. Just answers.
Real Impact: I’ve been using the AI assistants in my own estates for months now, and they’ve made an immediate difference. They’ve dramatically reduced repetitive queries and given trustees more confidence when handling legislation.
The EstateIQ Portal
The new EstateIQ Portal is now ready. A digital forms hub designed to eliminate manual paperwork. My estates haven’t implemented it yet, but having tested it end to end, I know the impact it’s going to have:
- Smart online forms for everything from move-ins to pet approvals
- Automated workflows with email notifications
- Full audit trails for compliance
- No more printing, chasing, or duplicating effort
It’s the next step in making trustee life easier. And I’m excited to roll it out.
Affordable and Practical
I’ve been in those meetings where every cent is debated. That’s why I priced EstateIQ to be realistic. Especially for self-managed schemes. The time these practical tools will save you is worth every cent! Don’t take my word for it, test it for yourself – request a 14-day free trial.
- R189/month – Portal only
- R99/month – AI Team only (+ $20 per month for ChatGPT Plus)
- R250/month – Full combo (Portal + AI)
That’s less than most estates spend on printer cartridges.
What Changed for Us
After using the AI assistants in my own schemes, we saw a big shift:
- 70% fewer repetitive questions
- More accurate responses
- Faster communication with owners and tenants
- Trustees had more time to focus on actual governance
And importantly. Owners and tenants got better service. No waiting, no confusion, no miscommunication.
A Final Word
This isn’t about replacing the people already supporting estates. It’s about supporting them better. When trustees have the right tools, everyone benefits. Managing agents, residents, trustees. All working together with less friction and more clarity.
EstateIQ won’t fix everything. But it’s a solid step forward for estates ready to embrace smart, efficient ways of working.
Want to see it in action?
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Jess Carrington is a trustee and founder of EstateIQ, focused on building practical AI tools that support day-to-day estate management and compliance.