As an owner of a property, you will legally need to supply a legitimate CoC certificate in order for the transfer to go through.
The Coc certificate costing all depends upon the type along with the size of the premises this can be anywhere from R850.00 – R1500+.
The Coc certificate costing will only cover the Coc certificate, and if there are any modifications to be made to the electrical components of the premises this will need to be paid over and above the cost. A Coc certificate ensures that:
- All electrical circuits are operating correctly and efficiently.
- Your property is safe against any potential shocks or fires.
- Your property has been earthed and bonded correctly by a certified electrician
- Your property’s electrical work will be in line with the required rules
See below what an Electrical Compliance Certificate is (ECoC).
An Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) is a legal document that guarantees the electrical work on your property complies with the South African National Standards as stipulated in the Electrical Installations Occupational Health and Safety Act.
When selling a property the homeowner has the duty of providing a genuine Electrical Compliance Certificate in addition to an electrical fence certificate of compliance in cases where there are electric fences before any property may be transferred.
Any house with electrical items will be requested to have a CoC, these particular items will consist of the DBboard, lights, swimming pools, geysers, wiring and even plugs.
Before issuing a CoC electrical certificate, qualified electrical contractors have to be certified with the Department Of Labour (D.O.L), this may be inspected by the E.C.A (Electrical Contractors Association or the Department of Labour.
See below what is Qualified Electrician will perform during and Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC inspection
- Ensure the type of wiring system is safe and in good condition.
- Make sure that the fuse box is fitted with a trip switch
- Make sure that switches, sockets and light fittings are working correctly.
- Check that the premises are earthed and bonded properly.
- Ensure that the switch box is labelled correctly and includes the right warnings.
- Ensure there is no damage or wear and tear
- Make sure the electrical main switch is compliant with regulation.
For how many years is a COC Certificate valid for?
A CoC certificate does not stay valid permanently, as a homeowner of a house you can not supply the buyer with the original CoC certificate, you will need to apply for a new CoC if yours is older than two years, if your CoC is not older than two years you will have to stipulate that no changes have been made to the electric components of the house in the last three months. This helps to guarantee that any changes or additions that have been made to the electrical components of the house are in line with the necessary regulations.
Electricians responsibilities
Licensed electricians have to register for CoC every year. Despite all the electrical work conducted, every single electrician will need to register with the relevant authority each year.
If an individual needs to evaluate the credibility of the electrician carrying out the electrical work they will need to contact the Electrical Contracting Board of South Africa and the Department of Labour, they will then receive the electricians registration card along with their accreditation certificate.
What is the responsibility of the Home seller?
As a home seller of a property it is your obligation to make sure the property has a legitimate CoC as well as organizing an electrical inspection prior to the property can be registered in the buyer’s name. When the electrical work has been finalized the seller will need to get a new ECoC.
Costing of the Certificate of Compliance (CoC)?
Electrical Compliance Certificate varies from R850, being dependent on the sort of premises for example, domestic, commercial and industrial properties will have various costs.
The above costing only covers the cost of the certificate, anything that needs to be altered regarding the electrical components of the premises will need to be paid for over and above this cost. When all the electrical components are all in line with the required regulations the qualified electrician will give the owner the CoC.
Will my Certificate of Compliance (CoC) still be valid once new electrical alterations have been concluded?
Any alterations made to the electrical components on the property that currently has a CoC will need another CoC certificate for the additions or alterations, thus always keeping them both all together.
How long does it take a qualified electrician to evaluate and provide a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for a property?
The assessment could take in between two or three hours depending upon the size of the property.
