If you are selling your property in order for the transfer to go through you would definitely require a CoC certificate, this is legal.
The price of a CoC certificate starts anywhere from R850 – R1500+, this cost can depend on the type in addition to the size of the premises.
R850.00 – R1500+ will pay for the cost of the certificate only, 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 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 professionally by a qualified electrician
- Your property’s electrical work will be in line with the necessary regulations
See below what an Electrical Compliance Certificate is (ECoC).
To guarantee the electrical work on your property is in accordance with the South African National Standards as stipulated in the Electrical Installations Occupational Health and Safety Act an Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) is a document that is needed.
When selling a property the property owner has the responsibility of providing a valid Electrical Compliance Certificate in addition to an electrical fence certificate of compliance in cases where there are electric fences before any property can be transferred.
A home with electrical items will have to have a CoC, this involves the following DBboard, swimming pools, geysers, plugs, wiring and lights.
Prior to issuing a CoC electrical certificate, certified electrical contractors need to be certified with the Department Of Labour (D.O.L), this can be checked 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
- Make certain 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 properly.
- Make sure that the switch box is labelled properly and includes the correct warnings.
- Make sure there is no damage or wear and tear
- Make sure the kind of wiring system is safe and in good condition.
- Make sure the electrical main switch is compliant with regulation.
Does a COC Certificate expire?
A CoC certificate does not stay valid forever, as a homeowner of a house you can not supply the buyer with the original CoC certificate, you will need to obtain a new CoC if yours is older than two years, if your CoC is not older than two years you will have to specify 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 required regulations.
Responsibility of The Electrician
Licensed electricians need to register for CoC each year. In spite of all the electrical work carried out, every electrician will need to register with the appropriate authority each year.
If you want to check the status of the electrician executing the electrical work you would need to consult with the Electrical Contracting Board of South Africa and the Department of Labour, you will then acquire the electricians registration card as well as his accreditation certificate.
Duty of The Homeowner
When you sell your property it is your responsibility as a seller to ensure the property has a genuine CoC, so you would need to arrange an electrical inspection well before the property may be registered in the buyer’s name. If any new electrical work has been done on the house you are requested to get a new ECoC.
What is the cost of a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)?
Electrical Compliance Certificate can cost you from R850.00 upwards, and this depends on the kind of premises being checked like domestic, commercial and industrial properties will have different costs.
The cost of the certificate is only covered by the fee mentioned, if there are any adjustments to be made to the electrical components of the premises this will need to be paid for over and above this price. When all the electrical components of the house are in line with the required regulations, then only will the certificate be awarded to the homeowner by the licensed electrician.
Will my Certificate of Compliance (CoC) still be valid once new electrical modifications have been completed?
Any addition or change made to the electrical components of a property which currently has a CoC will need an additional CoC certificate for the addition or modification, keeping both CoC’s all together.
How long does it take a licensed electrician to evaluate and provide a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for a property?
The estimation on inspecting the property could take around two to three hours, the size of the property will establish this.
