As a homeowner of a property, you will officially need to produce a genuine CoC certificate in order for the transfer to go through.
The price of a CoC certificate starts anywhere from R850 – R1500+, this price will depend upon the type as well as the size of the premises.
The electrical components of the premises will must be paid over and above the R850.00 – R1500+ which is the cost of the Coc certificate. By providing a Coc it ensures that:
- Your property has been earthed and bonded correctly by a certified electrician
- Your property’s electrical work will be in line with the necessary rules
- All electrical circuits are functioning professionally and efficiently.
- Your property is safe against any potential shocks or fires.
See below what an Electrical Compliance Certificate is (ECoC).
An Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) is a document that ensures the electrical work on your property complies with the South African National Standards as stated in the Electrical Installations Occupational Health and Safety Act.
When selling off a property the property owner has the duty of supplying a legal 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.
A CoC certificate is needed for any home that has the following electrical items: DBboard, lights, swimming pools, geysers, wiring and plugs.
All qualified electrical contractors are supposed to be registered with the Department Of Labour (D.O.L), before providing a CoC electrical certificate, this can be approved by the E.C.A. (Electrical Contractors Association) or the Department of Labour.
See below what is Certified Electrician will perform during and Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC inspection
- Make sure that the fuse box is fitted with a trip switch
- Make certain that switches, sockets and light fittings are operating correctly.
- Check that the premises are earthed and bonded properly.
- Make certain that the switch box is labelled properly and includes the appropriate warnings.
- Make sure there is no damage or wear and tear
- Make sure the kind of wiring system is safe and in good condition.
- Ensure the electrical main switch is compliant with regulation.
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 purchaser with the initial 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 specify that no changes have been made to the electric components of the house in the last three months. This helps to ensure that any modifications or additions that have been made to the electrical components of the house remain in line with the required regulations.
Responsibility of The Electrician
Despite the electrical work performed, as a licensed electrician you will need to register with the relevant authority and for Coc.
If you need to evaluate the status of the electrician carrying out the electrical work you will need to call the Electrical Contracting Board of South Africa and the Department of Labour, you will then get the electricians registration card as well as his accreditation certificate.
What is the responsibility of the Home seller?
It is the home sellers responsibility to make sure the property has as legitimate CoC as well as setting up an electrical evaluation just before the property can be registered in the buyer’s name. Once the electrical work has been completed, the home seller will be required to get a new ECoC.
The price of a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)?
Electrical Compliance Certificate varies from R850, depending on the type of premises like domestic, commercial and industrial properties will have various costs.
The price of the certificate is only covered by the price stated, if there are any adjustments to be made to the electrical components of the premises this will need to be paid over and above this cost. Once all the electrical components of the house remain in line with the required regulations, then only will the certificate be given to the homeowner by the licensed electrician.
Will my Certificate of Compliance (CoC) still be valid as soon as new electrical modifications have been completed?
If the electrical components of the property have been altered you will need an additional CoC certificate this in turn needs to be kept with the first CoC.
How long does it take a qualified 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 might be two to three hours.
