- An Electrical Certificate of Compliance (electrical COC) confirms that the fixed electrical installation of a property meets SANS 10142-1, based on an inspection and test by a registered electrician.
- Owners and landlords need a valid one, and sellers need one no older than two years before transfer.
- It is also needed after electrical alterations or additions.
- Send your suburb, property type and deadline and compare quotes from registered electricians.
Selling? Include your expected transfer date so electricians can plan any repairs.
Get Electrical COC QuotesWhat Is an Electrical Certificate of Compliance?
It is the certificate required by the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Every user or lessor of an electrical installation must have a valid COC, together with a test report. It can only be issued by a registered person after inspecting and testing the installation against SANS 10142-1.
When Do I Need One?
- Selling a property. The owner may not allow a change of ownership if the COC is older than two years.
- Alterations and additions. New circuits, a new DB board, a granny flat or a solar installation all need certification.
- New installations. A new build or rewire is certified before handover.
- Renting out. Landlords, as lessors, must have a valid COC.
- On request. An inspector, Eskom or the City, or an insurer may ask to see it.
What Does the Inspection Cover?
| Part of the installation | What is checked |
|---|---|
| Distribution board | Condition, labelling, cover, correct breaker sizes |
| Circuit breakers | Rated for the cable and the load on each circuit |
| Earth leakage unit | Present, working and tripping within limits |
| Earthing and bonding | Main earth, bonding of metal pipes, geyser and exposed metalwork |
| Wiring | Cable sizes, insulation, joints, no exposed conductors |
| Plug points and light circuits | Polarity, earth continuity, secure fittings |
| Geyser and stove circuits | Isolators, dedicated circuits, correct connection |
| Outbuildings and outdoor points | Supply cables, weatherproof fittings, protection |
The COC covers the fixed installation from the point of control to the points of consumption. It does not certify the stove, geyser, pool pump or gate motor themselves, only that they are correctly connected.
Tell electricians how many DB boards and outbuildings the property has. It makes quotes more accurate.
Request an Inspection QuoteWhat Happens If Defects Are Found?
An inspection is not a repair. If the installation does not comply, the electrician lists the defects and quotes to fix them. The certificate is issued only once the installation passes. You can accept that quote or get others, and a re-inspection fee may apply if someone else does the repairs.
Common reasons a Cape Town house fails
- No earth leakage unit, or one that does not trip.
- Missing or loose bonding on the geyser and metal pipes.
- Old DB boards with no cover or unlabelled circuits, common in older Southern Suburbs and Woodstock homes.
- DIY additions: extra plugs, outdoor lights or a granny flat wired without certification.
- Corroded DBs and outdoor fittings near the coast, from Sea Point to Strand.
- Solar or backup power connected without certification. See Solar Certificate of Compliance Cape Town.
How Much Does an Electrical COC Cost in Cape Town?
| Item | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Flat or apartment | R650 - R1,300 |
| 2 - 3 bedroom house | R900 - R1,900 |
| Large house, several DBs | R1,500 - R2,800 |
| Re-inspection after repairs | R450 - R900 |
| Replace earth leakage unit | R850 - R1,800 |
| Earthing and bonding fixes | R400 - R2,000 |
| Replace DB board | R4,500 - R14,000 |
Indicative Cape Town ranges for 2026, including VAT. They help you check a quote. They are not prices offered by this website. Inspection fees and repair costs are separate. See COC certificate prices in Cape Town for every certificate.
Get fixed prices for your property rather than a range.
Compare COC QuotesDo I Need It When Selling My Property?
Yes. The seller must hand over a COC no older than two years, and it must cover any alterations made since. Most sale agreements make this the seller's cost. It is one of several property compliance certificates a Cape Town seller may need, and a property with an electric fence also needs an electric fence certificate of compliance.
What Documents Will I Receive?
- The Certificate of Compliance, signed by the registered person, with their registration number.
- The test report with the readings taken.
- An invoice. Keep all three for the conveyancer.
Residential, Commercial and Industrial Properties
Houses and flats are usually single phase. Offices, shops and factories are often three phase with several boards, and specialised installations need a master installation electrician. For business premises see Commercial Electrical COC Cape Town.
Electrical COC Questions
Does an electrical COC expire?
The regulations give it no expiry date. But on a sale it may not be older than two years, and any addition or alteration since it was issued needs new certification.
Who can issue an electrical COC?
Only a registered person: an electrical tester for single phase, an installation electrician or a master installation electrician, registered with the Department of Employment and Labour.
Does the COC cover my stove, geyser and appliances?
No. It covers the fixed wiring and whether fixed appliances are correctly connected, not the appliances themselves. Plug-in appliances are outside its scope.
Can the electrician who inspects also do the repairs?
Yes, usually. You can also get separate repair quotes. The certificate is only issued once the installation passes.
Is an electric fence covered by the electrical COC?
No. An electric fence needs its own electric fence system certificate.
How long does the inspection take?
A typical house takes a few hours. Larger homes, several DBs and outbuildings take longer.
Related Certificates
COC Certificate Cape Town is a free quote-comparison service, not a contractor and not the City of Cape Town or any regulator. Inspections, certificates and repairs are done by the independent contractors that quote you, and your agreement is with the contractor you appoint. Ask each one for proof of registration for the certificate you need, a written quote that separates the inspection fee from any repairs, and their payment terms.
Electrical Certificate of Compliance Cape Town. Compare quotes from registered electricians through COC Certificate Cape Town.
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