When buying or selling a property in South Africa, one of the critical steps in the transfer process is ensuring that the property complies with various safety and municipal standards. These requirements are formalised through the issuing of a Certificate of Compliance (COC), which serves as proof that the property meets these legal and safety standards. Without these certificates, the transfer of property cannot be completed, and delays or legal complications may arise. In this article, we look at the main COCs that will be needed to transfer your property and the conditions or requirements relating to each.

A COC is an official document issued by a qualified professional, confirming that a specific aspect of a property adheres to relevant safety and legal standards. Such certificates are designed to protect buyers, sellers, and the wider community by ensuring properties are safe, habitable, and compliant with municipal and national regulations.

The following five certificates are required to successfully conclude a property transfer:

Electrical Certificate of Compliance 
An electrical Certificate of Compliance confirms that all electrical installations on the property are safe, properly installed, and compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009. 

Issued by: Registered persons/electricians in terms of Regulations 9 and 11 of the Electrical Installation Regulations
Region: National
Validity: Valid for 2 years from the date of issue

Electric Fence System Certificate of Compliance
An Electric Fence System Certificate of Compliance certifies that all electrical installations of the electric fence around the relevant property are properly installed and compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and the Electrical Machinery Regulations, 2011.

Issued by: Registered persons/electricians in terms of Regulations 13 and 14 of the Electrical Machinery Regulations
Region: National
Validity: Valid for 2 years from the date of issue

Gas Certificate of Compliance 
A Gas Compliance Certificate ensures that gas installations, for example, gas stoves or gas geysers, are safe and compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and the Pressure Equipment Regulations, 2009.

Issued by: Authorised person or an approved inspection authority, such as registered gas practitioners, LPGSA
Region: National
Validity: Issued with every completion of a gas installation, modification, alteration or change of user or ownership (if applicable)

Water Certificate of Compliance
A Water Certificate of Compliance certifies that the property's plumbing and water systems comply with the necessary safety standards in terms of the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality Water By-law, as amended, and are free of defects, water meter registration issues and no discharge of stormwater in the sewer system. 

Issued by: Accredited plumbers
Region: Cape Town
Validity: Issued with every transfer of ownership (if applicable)

Beetle Certificate of Compliance
A Beetle Compliance Certificate certifies that there are no beetle infestations, damaging wooden structures at the relevant property. This compliance certificate is not required by law but has become a common contractual requirement in practice, especially in South Africa’s coastal areas.

Issued by: A qualified wood borer inspector who is a certified member of the South African Pest Control Association (S.A.P.C.A)
Region: Coastal Provinces
Validity: Issued with every transfer of ownership (if applicable)

COCs are usually valid for a specific period only, and it is therefore vital that the COC is valid and reliable when the property is transferred. They ensure that the property is safe, legal, and compliant with municipal and national standards and protect all parties involved.


Disclaimer: This article is the personal opinion/view of the author(s) and does not necessarily present the views of the firm. The content is provided for information only and should not be seen as an exact or complete exposition of the law. Accordingly, no reliance should be placed on the content for any reason whatsoever, and no action should be taken on the basis thereof unless its application and accuracy have been confirmed by a legal advisor. The firm and author(s) cannot be held liable for any prejudice or damage resulting from action taken based on this content without further written confirmation by the author(s).