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.
All being dependent on the size along with the type of premises the CoC certificate starts anywhere from R850.00.
This cost will basically 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 cost. Providing a CoC guarantees that:
- 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
- All electrical circuits are functioning correctly and efficiently.
- Your property is safe against any potential shocks or fires.
What is an Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC)?
As stipulated in the Electrical Installations Occupational Health and Safety Act an Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) is needed, this guarantees that the electrical work on the property complies with the South African National Standards.
Even before a property can be transferred, it is the homeowners duty to supply a legal Electrical Compliance Certificate in addition to an electrical fence certificate of compliance.
A house with electrical items will need to have a CoC, this features the following DBboard, swimming pools, geysers, plugs, wiring and lights.
Before an electrical contractor can issue a CoC certificate they must be certified and registered with the Department Of Labour (D.O.L), and this can be verified by the E.C.A (Electrical Contractors Association) or the Department of Labour.
A Qualified Electrician will carry out the following during an Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) inspection
- Ensure there is no damage or wear and tear
- Make sure the electrical main switch is compliant with regulation.
- Ensure the kind of wiring system is safe and in good condition.
- Make certain that the fuse box is fitted with a trip switch
- Make certain that switches, sockets and light fittings are working correctly.
- Inspect that the premises are earthed and bonded correctly.
- Ensure that the switch box is labelled properly and includes the appropriate warnings.
For how many years is a COC Certificate valid for?
A Coc certificate is not valid forever, a purchaser can not give the buyer the original 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 modifications have been made to the electrical components of the ht house in the last three months. The reason for this is to ensure that any modifications or additions that have been made to the electrical components of the house are still in accordance with the needed regulations.
What the Electrician is responsible for
Certified electricians need to register for CoC every year. In Spite of all the electrical work conducted, every single electrician will need to register with the appropriate authority yearly.
To check the status of the electrician who is completing the electrical work you need to contact the Electrical Contracting Board of South Africa and the Department of Labour, and you will be given the electricians registration card and the accreditation certificate.
Duty of The Seller
It is the responsibility of the homeowner to ensure the property has a legitimate CoC, just before the property can be registered in the buyer’s name they will need to arrange an electrical evaluation. If any new electrical work has been done on the house the home seller must get a new ECoc.
What is the price of a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)?
The cost of the Electrical Compliance Certificate can range from R850. and this depends upon the type 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 altered pertaining to the electrical components of the premises will need to be paid over and above this price. When all the electrical components are all in line with the necessary regulations the qualified electrician will give the owner the CoC.
Will my Certificate of Compliance (CoC) still be valid as soon as new electrical modifications have been completed?
Any addition or modification made to the electrical components of a property that already has a CoC will need a supplementary CoC certificate for the addition or change, keeping both CoC’s all together.
How long does it take a certified electrician to evaluate and issue 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.
