An Electrical Certificate of Compliance does not expire after a set number of years by itself. It remains the record of the inspection on the date it was issued. It stops covering the property properly when the installation changes, or when a sale needs a more recent certificate.
For the owner
If nothing has been added or altered, the certificate remains the certificate for that installation. There is no rule that says you must renew it every two years just because you still own the house.
Some insurers ask for a recent certificate when you claim for an electrical fault or fire. That is a policy condition, not an automatic expiry of the certificate. Check the policy.
For a property transfer
This is where the two-year practice comes from. For a change of ownership, conveyancers usually want an Electrical Certificate of Compliance issued within the last two years. Some sale agreements ask for a new one regardless of age.
The certificate must also still match the installation. If a distribution board, circuits, plugs, or solar and inverter equipment were added after it was issued, it no longer covers the property as it stands.
When you need a new one
You need a new certificate, or a supplementary certificate, if:
- you are selling and the current certificate is older than the conveyancer will accept
- the installation was altered after the last certificate
- there is no certificate at all
- a new connection or reconnection requires one
If the house already has a valid certificate and only new work was added, that new work is often covered by a supplementary certificate. If there is no valid house certificate, the whole installation must be inspected.
Who may issue it
Only a registered electrical contractor, registered with the Department of Employment and Labour, may issue an Electrical Certificate of Compliance. A certificate from an unregistered person is not valid.
Phallies inspects and issues Electrical Certificates of Compliance in Pretoria, Centurion, Midrand and Johannesburg. Bookings: Lindie on 082 854 4540.
