Selling? Your complete guide to compliance certificates

Putting a home up for sale takes some preparation on the seller’s part.

Sellers need to have all of their compliance certificates in order before taking the step of listing their home on the market.

1. Electrical Certificate of Compliance

Legislation stipulates that every homeowner should be in possession of a valid Electrical Certificate of Compliance (ECOC) when selling their home. Valid for two years, an ECOC verifies that the electrical work and installation on the property are up to standard in accordance with the regulations required by the South African National Standards.

Before the transfer of ownership of a property can happen, the seller will be required to present a valid ECOC.

2. Electric Fence System of Compliance Certificate

In addition to an Electrical Certificate of Compliance, homeowners who’ve had electric fencing installed as a security measure will require an Electrical Fence System Compliance Certificate.

3. Gas Certificate of Compliance

On 1 October 2009, Regulation 17 (3) of the Pressure Equipment Regulations (OHS ACT of 1993) came into effect, which states that if a liquid gas appliance has been installed on the property, a Gas Certificate of Conformity is to be issued when there is a change of ownership.

This certificate is valid for five years, and must be issued by an authorised person who is registered with the Liquified Petroleum Gas Safety Association of Southern Africa (LPGAS).

4. Beetle Infestation Clearance Certificate

Although it is not a mandatory requirement, it has become standard practice that a seller provides the buyer with a beetle clearance certificate.

In fact, in many coastal areas, he says a beetle clearance certificate has become a written condition in the sales agreement.

The beetle clearance certificate is only issued once the property has been inspected for any visible signs of wood destroying insects and deemed to be free of any such insects. The certificate is valid for three to six months.