Frequently asked questions

In terms of the OHS Act; every user or lessor of an electrical installation, as the case may be, shall have a valid certificate of compliance for that installation in the form of Annexure 1, which shall be accompanied by a test report in the format approved by the chief inspector, in respect of every such electrical installation.

The very first line, on your electrical compliance certificate test report, states:

“Note 1. In terms of South African legislation, the user or the lessor is responsible for the safety of the electrical installation.”

This means that it is the owner’s responsibility, as the user or lessor (landlord) to be in possession of a valid electrical compliance certificate for that electrical installation at all times. The certificate is proof that your electrical installation complies with the South African National Standards and is safe.

If your property suffers damage due to an electrical fault, your insurance company will expect you to produce a valid electrical certificate. Not being able to produce one may invalidate your claim.

The OHS Act states the following:

2.5 Regulation 6 - Electrical contractor
2.5.1 Subregulation 1
No person may do electrical installation work as an electrical contractor unless that person has been registered as an electrical contractor in terms of these Regulations.

2.3.2 Subregulation 2
‘installation work’ means-
(c) the inspection, testing and verification of electrical installations for the purpose of issuing a certificate of compliance.

From the above it is clear: make use of the correct/registered company to issue your electrical certificate. Only a company registered as an Electrical Contractor can issue a legal electrical certificate.

View sample of registration

The estate agent or transferring attorney can advise their client, the seller, which reputable companies can be used to obtain a valid C.O.C. Once a request form has been submitted to Electra Bug, a dedicated inspection team will, at the client’s convenience, do up to 5x inspections during one appointment. An inspection report, stating what work needs to be done to the installation in order to comply with the code of practice, will be issued the following working day. Should the installation be free of any deviation, a certificate will be issued at no extra cost.

When the inspection report and repair cost is accepted by the seller, the transferring attorney will give Electra Bug the go ahead; and a team will be dispatched to complete the work. A C.O.C will then be issued to the transferring attorney, who will give the C.O.C to the purchaser, once registration of the property has occurred.

Acting on the seller’s instructions, the transferring attorney can pay Electra Bug upon date of registration from the sale of the property; or the seller can pay Electra Bug directly. Interest free terms to the transferring attorneys are strictly 90 days, thereafter interest will be imposed “on the outstanding amount at the prescribed rate”

Once the client has paid the Inspection Fee to Electra Bug, should there be no Beetle infestation, a Beetle Clearance Certificate will be issued. The client may then obtain further quotes and make a decision.

The Code of Practice is amended regularly. Electra Bug works strictly according to the Code. We cannot issue a C.O.C if the installation is not safe as determined by the Code. This is the only way to prevent any comebacks for us, the seller, the purchaser, the transferring attorney or the estate agent.

Appliances such as light bulbs, stoves, air conditioners, geysers etc. are NOT COVERED by the Code of Practice.

The electrical Certificate of Compliance covers the installation from the main switch in the distribution board, to the point of consumption such as light switches, stove, aircon and fridge wall plugs, but not the appliance itself, which may not be in a working condition.

Information about what the Water Inspection (plumbing) Certificate covers, can be viewed on the City of Cape Town’s website:
http://www.capetown.gov.za/search?k=certificate%20of%20compliance

A working group of Technical Experts in the industry meet on a regular basis, at the SA Bureau of Standards and update the Code of Practice. This is the accredited person’s Source of Information.

Due to the constant changes to the Code, most properties are affected and need work done to comply. Should the person issuing a C.O.C not be up to date with the changes in the Code he would be issuing an invalid Certificate.

The relevant clause in a Deed of Sale states that a valid Certificate of Compliance must be issued by an accredited person. When this does not happen, there can be serious repercussion for the seller, agent or transferring attorney.

The Western Cape Approved Electrical Inspection Authority act as watch dog and investigate complaints at an hourly fee. When necessary they will take action against the guilty party. Contact them at 021 987 3010 Fax 021 987 3083 or Email info@wcaeia.co.za
Concerns with the Water Inspection Certificate can be directed to the local municipality’s water and sanitation department: 021 412 9233