Electrical Certificate of Compliance (ECoC’s)

As a seller of a property, you will legally need to provide a valid CoC certificate (Electrical Certificate of Compliance) in order for the transfer to go through. The cost of a CoC certificate starts anywhere from R1500 for a single storey house but can be more for double or triple storey house. Also the amount of DB’s in the house will affect the price of the CoC.

Call out fees are R500 to assess and inspect the property. A CoC can only be issued if the installation is compliant.

This price will only cover the cost of the certificate and any changes that need to be made to the electrical components of the premises will need to be paid over and above this cost. (For click here for Plumbing COC Compliance Certificate)

Having a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) ensures that :

  • Your property has been earthed and bonded correctly by a qualified electrician.
  • Your property’s electrical work will be in line with the necessary regulations.
  • All electrical circuits are operating correctly and efficiently.
  • Your property is safe against any potential shocks or fires.

Electrical Certificate of Compliance (ECoC) FAQ

What is an Electrical Certificate of Compliance (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 stipulated in the Electrical Installations Occupational Health and Safety Act.

When selling a property the owner has the responsibility of supplying a valid Electrical Compliance Certificate as well as an electrical fence certificate of compliance in cases where there are electric fences before any property can be transferred. 

Any house with electrical items will be required to have a Certificate of Compliance (CoC), these items will include the DB board, lights, swimming pools, geysers, wiring and even plugs. 

All qualified electrical contractors are expected to be registered with the Department Of Labour (D.O.L), before issuing a CoC electrical certificate, this can be validated by the  E.C.A. (Electrical Contractors Association) or the Department of Labour. 

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What will a Qualified Electrician perform during an Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) inspection?

  • Ensure there is no damage or wear and tear.
  • Ensure the electrical main switch is compliant with regulations.
  • 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 operating correctly.
  • Check that the premises is earthed and bonded correctly.
  • Ensure that the switch box is labelled correctly and includes the correct warnings. 

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Do Electrical Compliance Certificates (ECoC’s) Expire?

A CoC certificate does not stay valid forever, as a seller of a house you can not supply the buyer with the original CoC certificate, you will need to apply for a new CoC if yours is older than two years. If your Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is not older than two years you will have to specify that no changes have been made to the electrical 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. 

What is the Responsibility of The Electrician?

As a qualified electrician, you will need to register for your Compliance Certificate (CoC) every year. Regardless of the electrical work performed, every qualified electrician will need to register with the relevant authority every year.

If an individual would like to check the credibility of the electrician completing the electrical work they will need to contact the Electrical Contracting Board of South Africa and the Department of Labour, they will then receive the electrician’s registration card as well as their accreditation certificate. 

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What is the Responsibility of The Seller?

Making sure the property has a valid Compliance Certificate (CoC) is the sellers responsibility, the seller of the property will need to set up an electrical inspection before the property can be registered in the buyers name. If new electrical work has been completed on the house, the seller will be required to get a new Electrical Certificate of Compliance (ECoC). 

The price of a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)? 

The starting price for an Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) starts from R850, this price will depend on the type of premises as domestic, commercial and industrial properties will have different costs. This price will only cover the cost of the certificate and any changes that need to be made to the electrical components of the premises will need to be paid over and above this cost. The Certificate of Compliance (CoC) will only be given to the homeowner by the qualified electrician once all the electrical components of the house are in line with the necessary regulations.

Will my Certificate of Compliance (CoC) still be valid once new electrical alterations have been completed?

Any addition or alteration made to the electrical components of a property which already has a CoC will need a supplementary CoC certificate for the addition or alteration, keeping both CoC’s together.

How long does it take a qualified electrician to inspect and issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for a property?

Depending on the size of the property this could take anywhere between two to three hours.

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