What You Need to Know About Cape Town's Plumbing Certificate – A Compulsory Compliance Certificate
If you are selling a property in the City of Cape Town, you now have an extra step before the sale can be finalized, and the property officially transferred to the new owner: you must get a Plumbing Certificate. It forms one of the compliance certificates which a seller needs to obtain and provide to the buyer.
What is the certificate for?
The City of Cape Town passed a by-law that requires sellers to provide a specific Plumbing Certificate to the City before the transfer of the property is registered (when the Deeds Office processes the sale).
This certificate is essentially a formal confirmation that the plumbing and water systems on the property meet the city's standards.
Who can issue this certificate?
The certificate must be issued by an accredited plumber.
- Accredited Plumber: This is a plumber who is a member of the Institute of Plumbing South Africa (IOPSA).
- How to check: You can confirm if a plumber is accredited by checking the IOPSA website.
What happens if I don't get one? (The Penalties)
This is the tricky part, as the rules mention some serious penalties.
- It's an offense: The by-law says that not following this rule is a crime. If convicted, the person could face a fine, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
- Future Water Issues: The article suggests that if the new owner doesn't have this certificate, they might have trouble when they try to open a new water account with the City after the transfer is complete.
While the City has indicated they can't stop the transfer process itself by withholding a rates clearance, the severe penalties and potential future water account problems make getting this certificate a must-do.
How long does the certificate last?
The by-law doesn't state an expiry date. However, based on the certificate's required format (which asks for the seller, buyer, and property details), the clear expectation is that a brand-new certificate must be obtained for every single property transfer.
Does this apply to flats/townhouses (Sectional Title) or just houses?
It applies to both.
The city's definition of "Owner" includes the owner of a flat or unit (Sectional Title) and the body corporate responsible for the common areas. Therefore, if you are selling a flat, you need the certificate.
What should I do now? (Suggestion for Agents/Sellers)
It is strongly recommended that estate agents and sellers protect themselves by making the certificate a formal part of the sale agreement (the Offer to Purchase) by including a clause that explicitly states the seller agrees to pay for and provide the required Plumbing Certificate to the conveyancing attorneys before the transfer documents are submitted to the Deeds Office.