Guides · Compliance
Every property in South Africa needs a valid electrical certificate of compliance before it can be transferred to a new owner. In Constantia, Tokai and Bergvliet, where many homes have been extended, had a cottage added or picked up a solar system along the way, it's also where the surprises tend to be.
What the electrical certificate is
The electrical certificate of compliance confirms that the fixed electrical installation of the property is safe and meets the national wiring standard. Unlike the plumbing certificate, which is a City of Cape Town requirement, the electrical certificate applies everywhere in the country. It has to be issued by a registered electrician after an inspection and test.
What's inspected
- The distribution board. Correct circuit breakers for each circuit, a working earth leakage unit, and a board that's properly labelled and covered.
- Earthing and bonding. The installation must be properly earthed, including metal water pipes and the geyser.
- Wiring. No exposed, perished or joined-with-tape wiring, and cable that's the right size for the circuit it feeds.
- Plugs, switches and light fittings. Securely mounted, correctly wired and not damaged.
- Fixed appliances. The wiring and isolators to things like the geyser, stove, pool pump and gate motor. The appliances themselves aren't certified, but the way they're connected is.
What we often find in these suburbs
Cottages, outbuildings and additions
Larger properties in Constantia and Tokai often have a garden cottage, a studio or a converted garage. The supply to these, and the wiring inside them, is part of the certificate. It's common to find these were wired informally.
Family homes in Bergvliet
Bergvliet takes its name from one of the area's historic farms, and today it's largely family homes. Pool pumps, gate motors, outdoor lighting and garden cottages added over the years are the items that most often need attention at inspection, especially where they were connected without the certificate being updated.
Solar PV and backup power
Inverters, batteries and solar panels added during load-shedding must be part of the certificate. In Cape Town, a grid-connected solar system should also be registered with the City. If yours was installed without either, it's much easier to sort out before you list than in the last week before transfer.
Electric fences
An electric fence isn't covered by the ordinary electrical certificate. It needs its own electric fence system certificate at transfer. We install electric fences, and can arrange the fence certificate alongside the others.
How we handle it
A registered electrician does the inspection and issues the certificate, and we coordinate it with the plumbing side so you deal with one company. You get a photographed report, recorded on site in our own app, of anything that doesn't comply, with an itemised quote to fix it. Once the work is done, the certificate is issued.
If you also need the plumbing certificate, we do both on the same visit. Here's how a transfer runs with us, from the first call to the last certificate.
Electrical certificates across the Southern Suburbs
We do electrical certificates in Constantia, Tokai, Bergvliet, Meadowridge, Diep River and Plumstead, and across the rest of the Southern Suburbs and South Peninsula, on one flat call-out rate.
Common questions
Is an electrical certificate required to sell a house in South Africa?
Yes. A valid electrical certificate of compliance is required before a property can be transferred. It must be issued by a registered electrician after inspecting and testing the installation.
Does the electrical certificate cover my solar system?
It must. Solar panels, inverters and batteries connected to the house's wiring are part of the electrical installation. In Cape Town, grid-connected systems should also be registered with the City.
Is an electric fence covered by the electrical certificate?
No. An electric fence needs its own electric fence system certificate when the property is transferred.
Can I get the plumbing and electrical certificate on the same day?
Yes. Our plumbers and electricians work together, so both inspections can be done on one visit.