CERTIFICATE of COMPLIANCE (CoC)
CERTIFICATE of COMPLIANCE (CoC)
Why do you need a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)?
The onus has been placed on the homeowner (seller) to ensure that a faulty or non-compliant electrical installation in his / her house does not pose a threat through fire or electrocution to any person, animal or property. Without a valid COC, should an injury or incident occur, the homeowner could be held liable and the insurance on the house could be declared invalid.
When is an electrical CoC required?
In terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) no person may market, sell, let or supply an electrical installation that is unsafe.
The Seller of a property is therefore obligated to obtain a COC before transfer of the property from a legitimate contractible company which complies with all the criteria as stipulated by the authorities and conforms to the latest Code of Practice.
What is the cost of an electrical CoC?
The price of the inspection is normally a fixed fee – the total cost is however depended on the work required (or not). We will submit a report stating what work needs to be done to the installation to comply with the Code of Practice.
When accepted by the seller, the transferring attorney will give us the go ahead to complete the work.
Should the electrical installation be 100% compliant we will issue a new certificate at no additional charge over and above the inspection fee.
In the event that rectifications are required in order to make the electrical installation , we will issue a detailed report with a quote to perform the necessary rectifications. At this point the client can decide to:
- Accept the quotation – so we can perform the rectifications after which we will issue a new electrical certificate (COC).
What is the procedure in obtaining an Electrical COC?
The seller, estate agent or transferring attorney can make the request for an Electrical Certificate.
As there is a fee involved the seller always need to familiarise themselves with the fees and payment options and permit the electrician (inspector) to proceed with the inspection.
The electrician will then make an appointment with the current occupant (owner or tenant) of the property and will require access to every part of the electrical installation – the main distribution board, every plug, light switch, light fitting etc. on the premises – not just inside the main dwelling, but garage, out buildings and even roof spaces etc.
It is necessary that all socket outlets, plugs, be tested so all appliances will be unplugged during the inspection, readings will be taken once all appliances have been unplugged. Power will be switched off for a short period during the inspection.
Although electricians normally plug all the occupant’s appliances in again at the completion of the inspection, occupants should be warned to ensure and confirm that they have done this – especially essential appliances like fridges, freezers, koi pond pumps etc.