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Compliance certificates when selling in Cape Town

What’s law, what’s custom, and who pays.

Last updated 25 October 2026

Before transfer, a home in Cape Town normally needs several inspections and certificates. Some are law. One depends on the bank. Order them early, because anything an inspector finds has to be fixed before the certificate is issued.

Certificate	Required?	What to know
Electrical Certificate of Compliance	Yes, by law	Required on change of ownership under the Electrical Installation Regulations (Occupational Health and Safety Act, regulation 7(5)). A certificate older than two years cannot be used for a transfer. Otherwise it does not expire with time, but any addition or alteration to the installation needs a new one. Issued by a registered electrical contractor.
Water installation (plumbing) certificate	Yes, in the City of Cape Town	The City of Cape Town requires it before a property can be transferred. The conveyancing attorney submits it, and only a City-registered plumber can complete it. On the City’s checklist it confirms there were no defects when it was issued, the water meter is recording consumption, stormwater does not discharge into the sewer, and drinking water is not cross-connected to other water systems. It is not a full plumbing inspection.
Gas Certificate of Conformity	Yes, if there is a gas installation	Required after any gas installation, modification or alteration. On a sale a new certificate is needed, however old the existing one is. Issued by a registered gas installer under the Occupational Health and Safety Act regulations.
Electric fence Certificate of Compliance	Yes, if there is an electric fence	Required under regulation 12 of the Electrical Machinery Regulations, 2011. It does not apply to a system that existed before 1 October 2012. The regulation does not stop a transfer without one, so the offer to purchase should say who provides it. Sectional title: ask the body corporate.
Beetle (wood-borer) certificate	Depends on the bank or lender	Not required by national law. Whether you need one depends on the bank or loan institution and on the offer to purchase. It is common in offers to purchase in the Western Cape, so ask the buyer’s bank early.

Who pays

Under standard offers to purchase, the seller arranges the certificates and pays for any repairs needed to pass. Each compliance company charges an initial call out / inspection fee which is a few hundred rand per compliance certificate but the actual costs to do any required work that is needed, to make the property compliant, can range from R1000 and upwards. It all depends on how much work is required so an estimate is not at all possible.

Practical points

Book inspections when you list, not after you accept an offer. It saves you last-minute delays at transfer.
Certificates have different validity rules. Ask your conveyancing attorney to confirm what applies to your transfer.
Requirements and by-laws change. Your attorney has the final say.

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Sources

General information only. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm figures with your conveyancing attorney, bank or accountant before you decide. See the Disclaimer.

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