Guides · Compliance
Most sellers know they need plumbing and electrical certificates. Gas and beetle certificates catch people out more often, and in the older homes of Claremont, Rondebosch and Newlands, both come up regularly.
The gas certificate
If the property has a fixed gas installation, such as a gas hob, gas geyser or gas fireplace connected to a cylinder, a gas certificate of conformity is required when it's sold. It has to be issued by a practitioner registered for gas work. If there's no fixed gas installation, no certificate is needed.
What the gas inspection looks at
- Cylinder position. Larger cylinders belong outside, on a firm base, away from drains, windows, doors and electrical switches.
- Regulator and pipework. The right regulator for the installation, approved pipe and fittings, and pipework that's properly secured.
- Leak test. The whole installation is pressure-tested for leaks.
- Appliances and ventilation. Appliances correctly connected, with adequate ventilation and an accessible shut-off valve.
The beetle certificate
A beetle certificate confirms that the accessible timber in the house is free of wood-destroying beetles. Unlike the electrical certificate, it isn't required by national law, but in the Western Cape almost every sale agreement includes a clause requiring one, so in practice most sellers need it.
What the beetle inspection looks at
The inspector checks accessible timber for signs of beetle activity: the roof trusses and rafters, timber floors, skirtings, door and window frames, and built-in cupboards. Victorian and Edwardian homes in Rondebosch, Claremont and Newlands often have original timber floors and roof structures, so the inspection can be more involved than in a newer house.
If active infestation is found, the affected timber has to be treated or replaced before a clearance certificate can be issued.
How we handle gas and beetle
We do our own plumbing and electrical work in-house. For gas and beetle, we work with vetted partners and manage the whole process ourselves, so the seller deals with one company, one booking and one set of reports instead of four. Here's how a transfer runs with us.
That matters most in the last few weeks before transfer, when a missing certificate is the thing that holds everyone up.
Compliance certificates in Claremont, Rondebosch and Newlands
We arrange all four certificates across Claremont, Rondebosch, Newlands, Kenilworth, Harfield Village, Bishopscourt and the rest of the Southern Suburbs and South Peninsula.
Common questions
Do I need a gas certificate to sell my house?
Only if the property has a fixed gas installation, such as a gas hob or gas geyser connected to a cylinder. If it does, a certificate of conformity from a registered gas practitioner is required.
Is a beetle certificate a legal requirement?
Not under national law, but in the Western Cape almost every sale agreement requires one, so most sellers need it in practice.
What happens if beetles are found?
The affected timber has to be treated or replaced before a clearance certificate can be issued. The inspector will tell you what's needed.
Can all four certificates be arranged together?
Yes. We do plumbing and electrical ourselves and coordinate gas and beetle through vetted partners, so all four can be arranged with one call.