There are a number of things you need to do when selling your property, and one of the most overlooked being the gathering of compliance certificates. The reverse of this, however, is also true, if you’re looking to buy a property in Limpopo you need to make sure you ask for the property’s compliance certificates before making any kind of offer. So what are the certificates that you need before selling your home?
These are in no specific order, so let’s start with an electrical compliance certificate. This certificate is compulsory for homeowners to be in possession of when they sell their home. You can obtain a Electrical Certificate of Compliance (ECOC) from a qualified electrician and it’s to prove that the electrics in your home are all in good working order. Take note that ECOC’s are valid for two years once issued. It’s important to note that should the property have an electrical fence, it needs its own compliance certificate, an Electrical Fence System Compliance Certificate.
The next certificate you’ll need is a water installation certificate to confirm all the plumbing in your home is up to standards and in good working order. The intent of this law is to limit water wastage as much as possible as well as to protect the buyer from latent defect claims and high water bills due to leakages. This certification checks that the hot water cylinder installation complies with standards set by SANS 10252 and SANS 10254.
While it may be assumed that the water installation certificate covers all aspects of the plumbing – it does not. “It is important for buyers to bear in mind that the water installation certificate is not a plumbing certificate and therefore does not fully cover all aspects of the home’s plumbing such as waste water. This certificate also does not cover any leaks on waste or sewer water or drainage,” Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, explains.
Those are the major certifications that are required to sell a property. There are others, but they might not all be relevant to all homes, for example you only need a gas compliance certificate if you have gas lines installed, and while it’s not compulsory, a beetle certificate is another you should insist on when buying a property with timer interiors.
Be sure to check all the certificates carefully before making any decisions, as they’re vital to ensuring you have as good an idea as possible of what you’re purchasing.
