In order for the sale of a property to go through you lawfully require a Coc certificate for the transfer to go through.
The cost of a CoC certificate starts anywhere from R850 – R1500+, this cost can depend upon the type in addition to the size of the premises.
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 over and above this cost. Having a CoC guarantees that:
- All electrical circuits are operating professionally and efficiently.
- Your property is safe against any potential shocks or fires.
- Your property has been earthed and bonded correctly by a certified electrician
- Your property’s electrical work will be in line with the required 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 specified 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 owner has the duty of providing an authentic Electrical Compliance Certificate as well as an electrical fence certificate of compliance in cases where there are electric fences before any property may be transferred.
Any home with electrical items will be required to have a CoC, these components will feature the DBboard, lights, swimming pools, geysers, wiring and even plugs.
All certified electrical contractors are supposed to be certified with the Department Of Labour (D.O.L), prior to issuing a CoC electrical certificate, this may be validated by the E.C.A. (Electrical Contractors Association) or the Department of Labour.
A Certified Electrician will carry out the following during an Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) inspection
- Make sure there is no damage or wear and tear
- Make certain the electrical main switch is compliant with regulation.
- Make sure the type of wiring system is safe and in good condition.
- Ensure that the fuse box is fitted with a trip switch
- Ensure that switches, sockets and light fittings are working properly.
- Inspect that the premises are earthed and bonded correctly.
- Make certain that the switch box is labelled correctly and includes the correct warnings.
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 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 need to stipulate 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 remain in line with the necessary regulations.
What the Electrician is responsible for
As a licensed 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 appropriate authority annually.
If an individual wants to review the credibility 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 be given the electricians registration card in addition to their accreditation certificate.
What is the duty of the Seller?
As a homeowner of a property it is your task to ensure the property has a valid CoC in addition to organizing an electrical inspection before the property can be registered in the buyer’s name. When the electrical work has been finalized the home seller will need to get a new ECoC.
The cost of a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)?
Electrical Compliance Certificate ranges from R850, being dependent on the kind of premises for instance, 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 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 necessary regulations the qualified electrician will give the owner the CoC.
Once new electrical changes have been concluded will my Certificate of Compliance (CoC) still be valid?
Any addition or change made to the electrical components of a property that already has a CoC will need a supplementary CoC certificate for the addition or alteration, 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 size of the property will determine how long the evaluation will take, this may be two to three hours.
