In order for the sale of a property to go through you legally need a Coc certificate for the transfer to go through.
All depending upon the size along with the kind of premises the CoC certificate starts anywhere from R850.00.
This price will only cover the cost of the certificate and any alterations that need to be made to the electrical components of the premises will need to be paid over and above this cost. Having a CoC ensures that:
- Your property has been earthed and bonded professionally by a certified electrician
- Your property’s electrical work will be in line with the necessary regulations
- All electrical circuits are operating correctly and efficiently.
- Your property is safe against any potential shocks or fires.
See below what an Electrical Compliance Certificate is (ECoC).
As specified in the Electrical Installations Occupational Health and Safety Act an Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) is needed, this ensures that the electrical work on the property adhere to the South African National Standards.
The property owner has the responsibility of supplying an authentic Electrical Compliance Certificate and an electrical fence certificate of compliance if there is an electric fence before the property may be transferred.
A CoC certificate is needed for any home that has the following electrical items: DBboard, lights, swimming pools, geysers, wiring and plugs.
The qualified Electrical contractors need to be certified with the Department of Labour (D.O.L), before supplying a CoC electrical certificate, it has to be approved by the E.C.A (Electrical Contractors Association or the Department of Labour.
A Certified Electrician will perform the following during an Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) inspection
- Make certain there is no damage or wear and tear
- Make sure the electrical main switch is compliant with regulation.
- Make certain the kind of wiring system is safe and in good condition.
- Make sure that the fuse box is fitted with a trip switch
- Ensure that switches, sockets and light fittings are operating correctly.
- Inspect that the premises are earthed and bonded correctly.
- Make sure that the switch box is labelled properly and includes the right warnings.
For how long is a COC Certificate valid for?
A Coc certificate is not valid permanently, a purchaser can not give the buyer the initial CoC certificate, if it is more than two years old, and then if it is not older that two years you need to stipulate that no changes have been made to the electrical components of the ht house in the last three months. The reason for this is to guarantee that any changes or additions that have been made to the electrical components of the house are still in accordance with the required regulations.
Electricians responsibilities
As an experienced electrician you will need to register for your CoC yearly. Irrespective of the electrical work performed, every single electrician will need to register with the relevant authority yearly.
The Electrical Contracting Board of South Africa and the Department of Labour needs to be contacted to check the reliability of the electrician completing the electrical work the moment that has been completed you will then get the electricians registration card in addition to his accreditation certificate.
Responsibility of The Seller
As a homeowner of a property it is your obligation to ensure the property has a valid CoC in addition to organizing an electrical assessment before the property may be registered in the buyer’s name. When the electrical work has been completed the homeowner will need to get a new ECoC.
What is the price of a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)?
The cost of the Electrical Compliance Certificate may range from R850. and this depends on the kind of premises whether domestic, commercial, and industrial properties will have different costs.
The above costing only covers the price of the certificate, anything that needs to be changed relating to the electrical components of the premises will need to be paid over and above this cost. When all the electrical components are all in line with the necessary regulations the qualified electrician will give the owner the CoC.
Once new electrical alterations have been concluded will my Certificate of Compliance (CoC) still stand?
If there are any additions or modifications made to the electrical components of a property that already has a CoC, will need an extra CoC certificate for the additions or change, both CoC’s must be always kept together.
How long does it take a licensed electrician to assess and issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for a property?
Depending upon the size of the property this could take anywhere around two to three hours.
