The user or lessor may not allow a change of ownership if the Electrical Certificate of Compliance is older than 2 years. If any electrical work was done after the certificate was issued, a new Electrical Certificate of Compliance will be required. Alternatively a supplementary certificate can be issued but must accompany the original certificate.

The Electrical Certificate of Compliance covers:

• The permanent electrical installation which includes all the cables from the mains incoming point to the main distribution board.
• Everything in the main distribution board and any sub boards.
• All the cabling from the distribution boards to switches and plugs, light switches, through to the connection at the lights.
• It further includes all circuits and wiring to any fixed appliances, even if they are plugged into a wall socket, but it does not include the actual appliance itself.
• The earthing system and connectivity throughout the installation, including the earthing of a satellite dish.
• All electrical equipment in the installation must be approved, SABS or other relevant approvals, and be of the correct type and rating for the application.
• All parts of the permanent electrical installation must be in good working order, including safety features.
• The electrician will also take various readings to ensure that Voltages, insulation, earthing and other values are within requirements.

• Many homes get sold with fixed appliances in place, we DO NOT check the actual appliances, but we do check that they are connected to the installation via approved means.
• This includes items such as ovens, geysers, stoves, hobs, aircon units, swimming pool pumps, bore hole pumps, pool lights, garage and gate motors, pond pumps, hvac system, alarms, wall heaters and any other fixed appliance you can think of.
• Temporary installations are not included, defined as something that can simply be unplugged and removed by hand that was clearly intended for temporary use only

• The best advice we can give is to have the inspection done early, before a potential buyer is introduced to the property. This may help you to make decisions that will reduce the costs of repairing any defects.
• Garden lights – the wiring to garden lighting is often done incorrectly and can be costly to rectify. These can be removed rather than re-instated. (If inspection is done prior to the sale of the property).
• Extension leads – temporary leads are often installed for the owner’s benefit and can easily be removed.
• Additional exterior lighting – these are often non-compliant and can be removed rather than re-instated. (If inspection is done prior to the sale of the property).
• TV antenna– may no longer be in use – remove. If the seller leaves it as a fixture it will need to be bonded/earthed.
• Decorative water features and ponds – as fixed appliances, these items require isolators. This is seldom done correctly and can be costly. The electrical supply to these features can be removed to save costs. (If inspection is done prior to the sale of the property).
• Electrical installations to wendy houses – are often done illegally. Removing the supply can reduce the costs. (If inspection is done prior to the sale of the property).
• Light bulbs – are consumables and are not covered by the Certificate of Compliance. However, it is good practice to ensure that all fused light bulbs are replaced before the inspection is done. This will reduce wastage of time during the inspection process.