As a homeowner of a property, you will by law need to produce a genuine CoC certificate in order for the transfer to go through.
The Coc certificate could cost you from R850.00 -R1500+, this costing will be dependent on the size and type of 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 guarantees 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 certified electrician
- Your property’s electrical work will be in line with the required rules
What is an Electrical Compliance Certificate (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.
Even before a property may be transferred, it is the property owners duty to supply a valid Electrical Compliance Certificate as well as an electrical fence certificate of compliance.
A home with electrical items will have to have a CoC, this involves the following DBboard, swimming pools, geysers, plugs, wiring and lights.
Certified electrical contractors should be registered with the Department Of Labour (D.O.L), before they can issue a CoC electrical certificate, this may 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
- Make sure the kind 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 operating correctly.
- Check that the premises are earthed and bonded properly.
- Make sure that the switch box is labelled properly and includes the correct warnings.
- Ensure there is no damage or wear and tear
- Ensure the electrical main switch is compliant with regulation.
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 genuine 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 need to specify that no modifications have been made to the electric components of the house in the last three months. This helps to guarantee that any modifications or additions that have been made to the electrical components of the house remain in line with the needed regulations.
Electricians responsibilities
Each year a qualified electrician needs to register for CoC with the appropriate authorities, irrespective of the electrical work conducted.
If an individual wishes to check the credibility of the electrician carrying out the electrical work they will need to speak to the Electrical Contracting Board of South Africa and the Department of Labour, they will then obtain the electricians registration card in addition to their accreditation certificate.
What is the responsibility of the Seller?
It is the duty of the homeowner to make certain the property has a genuine CoC, well before the property may be registered in the buyer’s name they will need to arrange an electrical assessment. 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)?
Electrical Compliance Certificate varies from R850, depending on the type of premises for instance, domestic, commercial and industrial properties will have various costs.
The above costing only covers the price of the certificate, anything that needs to be changed relating 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.
As soon as new electrical modifications have been completed will my Certificate of Compliance (CoC) still be valid?
Any alterations made to the electrical components on the property that currently has a CoC will need another CoC certificate for the additions or modifications, thus always keeping them both together.
How many hours will it take for a certified electrician to evaluate and provide a Certificate of Compliance (CoC for the property?What is the expected time for a licensed electrician to assess and provide a Certificate of Compliance (CoC for a property?
Depending on the size of the property this could take anywhere in between two to three hours.
