In order for the sale of a property to go through you officially need a Coc certificate for the transfer to go through.
The price of a CoC certificate starts anywhere from R850, this cost will depend on the type as well as the size of the premises.
This cost 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 for over and above this price. Having a CoC ensures that:
- All electrical circuits are functioning 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 required rules
See below what an Electrical Compliance Certificate is (ECoC).
To ensure the electrical work on your property is in agreement 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.
Even before a property may be transferred, it is the owners duty to provide a genuine Electrical Compliance Certificate as well as an electrical fence certificate of compliance.
If your home has the following components: DBboard, lights, swimming pools, geysers, wiring and plugs you will need a Coc Certificate.
Qualified electrical contractors ought to be certified with the Department Of Labour (D.O.L), before they can provide a CoC electrical certificate, this can be verified by the E.C.A (Electrical Contractors Association) or the Department of Labour.
A Qualified Electrician will perform the following during an Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) inspection
- Ensure that the fuse box is fitted with a trip switch
- Make certain that switches, sockets and light fittings are working properly.
- Inspect that the premises are earthed and bonded properly.
- Make sure that the switch box is labelled correctly and includes the right warnings.
- Make sure there is no damage or wear and tear
- Make certain the type of wiring system is safe and in good condition.
- Ensure the electrical main switch is compliant with regulation.
Does a COC Certificate expire?
A CoC certificate does not stay valid permanently, as a seller of a house you can not supply the home buyer with the genuine CoC certificate, you will need to request a new CoC if yours is older than two years, if your CoC is not older than two years you will need to specify that no modifications have been made to the electric components of the house in the last three months. This helps to ensure that any changes or additions that have been made to the electrical components of the house are in line with the necessary regulations.
Responsibility of The Electrician
Annually a qualified electrician needs to register for CoC with the appropriate authorities, despite the electrical work done.
If an individual needs to check the credibility of the electrician completing the electrical work they will need to speak to 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 home seller responsible for?
It is the duty of the home seller to make sure the property has a legitimate CoC, before the property can be registered in the buyer’s name they will need to set up an electrical inspection. If any new electrical work has been done on the house the home seller must get a new ECoc.
The price of a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)?
The starting price for an Electrical Compliance Certificate can range from R850, this cost will depend on the sort of premises as domestic, commercial and industrial properties will have various costs.
The above costing only covers the price of the certificate, anything that needs to be altered pertaining to the electrical components of the premises will need to be paid for over and above this price. 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?
If the electrical components of the property have been modified you will need an additional CoC certificate this in turn needs to be kept with the original CoC.
How long does it take a certified electrician to evaluate and issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for a property?
The evaluation could take around two or three hours depending upon the size of the property.
