If you are selling your property in order for the transfer to go through you would need to have a CoC certificate, this is legal.
The Coc certificate costing all relies on the type as well as the size of the premises this may be anywhere from R850.00 – R1500+.
This price will only cover the price 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 correctly by a qualified electrician
- Your property’s electrical work will be in line with the necessary regulations
- All electrical circuits are functioning correctly and efficiently.
- Your property is safe against any potential shocks or fires.
See below what an Electrical Compliance Certificate is (ECoC).
The Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) document is to ensure that the electrical work on the property is up to standard and complies with the South African National Standards as stipulated in the Electrical Installations Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Even before a property can be transferred, it is the homeowners duty to provide an authentic Electrical Compliance Certificate in addition to an electrical fence certificate of compliance.
A CoC certificate is needed for any home that has the following electrical components: DBboard, lights, swimming pools, geysers, wiring and plugs.
Before providing a CoC electrical certificate, qualified electrical contractors must 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.
The list below is what a Qualified Electrician will carry out during and Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) inspection
- Ensure there is no damage or deterioration
- Make certain the electrical main switch is compliant with regulation.
- Make sure 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 properly.
- Check that the premises are earthed and bonded correctly.
- Make certain that the switch box is labelled correctly and includes the appropriate warnings.
For for how long 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 home buyer with the original CoC certificate, you will need to get 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 modifications 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 required regulations.
What the Electrician is responsible for
Yearly a qualified electrician needs to register for CoC with the relevant authorities, despite the electrical work conducted.
If an individual would like to evaluate the reliability 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 acquire the electricians registration card as well as their accreditation certificate.
The homeowner is responsible to:
Making sure the property has a valid CoC is the sellers responsibility, the homeowner of the property will need to arrange an electrical assessment just before the property can be registered in the buyer’s name. If new electrical work has been finalized on the house, the seller will be requested to get a new ECoC.
What is the cost of a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)?
Electrical Compliance Certificate ranges from R850, relying on the type of premises such as domestic, commercial and industrial properties will have different costs.
The above costing only covers the cost of the certificate, anything that needs to be altered concerning 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 required regulations the qualified electrician will give the owner the CoC.
As soon as new electrical modifications have been concluded will my Certificate of Compliance (CoC) still stand?
Any alterations made to the electrical components on the property that already has a CoC will need another CoC certificate for the additions or modifications, thus always keeping them both together.
How long does it take a licensed electrician to inspect and issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for a property?
The estimation on evaluating the property could take around two to three hours, the size of the property will establish this.
