Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa May 2014 | Page 34

COMPLIANCE

BY BRUCE SWAIN

Certificates of Compliance
The reason why these documents are important

W

hen sel l ing a proper t y most home
owners focus on preparing the residence
for show days; adding a lick of paint,
neatening the garden and so forth. What many
neglect to prepare until the property has been sold
and is ready for transfer are the required Certificates
of Compliance (COCs).

property has a gas installation, electric fence or, is
located in a coastal area and thus requires a Certificate
of Clearance for Woodborer beetles.

Before the transfer of any home can be registered
it is the duty of the seller to provide the relevant
transfer attorney with a number of COCs - the most
common being an Electrical Certificate of Compliance
as well as a Plumbing Certificate of Compliance. The
remaining certificates are dependent on whether the

SHOCK-FREE WIRING
According to the new electrical installation
regulations of May 2009 an Electrical Certificate
of Compliance may only be issued by a person or
body approved by the Chief Inspector (CI) in terms
of Regulation 5 to carry out inspections, tests and
investigations on electrical installations.
The new regulations also specify that the
certificate may not change ownership if it is older
than two ye \