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Electrical Certificates of Compliance (COC)

Selling a property, renewing insurance, or simply want to know your installation is safe? We inspect, repair what's needed and issue your Certificate of Compliance.

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What a COC actually is

An electrical Certificate of Compliance is a legal document confirming that the fixed electrical installation at a property meets the requirements of South Africa's wiring regulations. It's issued by a registered person after a physical inspection and testing of the installation — it is not a formality, and it cannot legitimately be issued without an inspection actually taking place.

When you need one

  • Selling a property — a valid COC is required before transfer can be registered
  • Insurance claims — many insurers require a valid COC when you claim for electrical damage or fire
  • After electrical alterations — any new fixed wiring makes the previous certificate invalid for that work
  • Rental properties — many landlords maintain a current COC as part of their compliance obligations
  • Peace of mind — particularly when buying an older home or one with obvious DIY electrical work

A COC is valid for two years — but only if no electrical work has been done since it was issued. If anything on the fixed installation has been altered, added to or repaired since the certificate was issued, that certificate no longer covers the installation as it now stands.

What the inspection covers

The inspection examines the fixed electrical installation, which is everything permanently wired into the property. We check the distribution board and its protective devices, earth leakage protection and its correct operation, earthing and bonding throughout, socket outlets and their polarity and earthing, lighting circuits and fittings, the geyser connection and isolator, and the general condition of accessible wiring.

We also carry out electrical testing — not just a visual look — including earth continuity, insulation resistance and earth leakage trip testing.

Common reasons an installation fails

It's normal for older homes to need some remedial work before a certificate can be issued. The things we find most often are missing or non-functional earth leakage protection, unearthed socket outlets, DIY wiring and unsafe joins hidden in ceilings, no isolator at the geyser, exposed or damaged conductors, bridged or incorrectly rated breakers, missing covers on the DB board or junction boxes, and outdoor fittings that aren't weather-rated.

When we find issues we give you a clear list with a quote for the remedial work. You decide how to proceed. We're not going to issue a certificate for an installation that doesn't comply — that would defeat the purpose and expose you to real liability.

The process

We inspect and test the installation, which typically takes one to three hours depending on the size and age of the property. If everything complies, we issue the certificate. If not, you get a written list of what needs attention and what it will cost. Once the remedial work is complete and retested, the certificate is issued.

Sellers, plan ahead. Leaving the COC to the last week before transfer is how deals get delayed. If remedial work is needed — and in older homes it usually is — you want time to have it done without pressure. Book the inspection as early in the sale process as you reasonably can.

The inspection is quoted upfront based on property size. Remedial work, if any is needed, is quoted separately once we know what's required — you're never committed to having us do the repairs.
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Two years — provided no electrical work has been carried out since it was issued. Any new fixed wiring, alteration or addition means the certificate no longer reflects the installation as it currently stands, and a new one is needed for the changed work.

In most South African property sales the seller provides the valid Certificate of Compliance before transfer. Check your specific sale agreement, though — the arrangement can be negotiated between the parties, and your conveyancer will confirm what applies to your sale.

You get a written list of every non-compliant item together with a quote for the remedial work. Once that work is done and retested, the certificate is issued. You're under no obligation to have us do the repairs — if you'd prefer another electrician to carry them out, that's entirely your choice.

No, and you should be wary of anyone who offers to. A Certificate of Compliance can only lawfully be issued after physical inspection and testing by a registered person. A certificate issued without inspection is worthless to you — it won't protect you in an insurance claim and it exposes the issuer to serious liability.

No. A COC covers the fixed installation — permanent wiring, the distribution board, socket outlets, lighting points and fixed connections such as the geyser and stove. Portable appliances that simply plug in aren't part of it.

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