Many building societies, which were then the main sources of bond finance, would not advance money to a buyer unless the property to be mortgaged was declared free of wood-destroying insects. And so the need was established for suitably qualified people to carry out inspections and where infestation was identified, recommend remedial measures to eradicate such infestation.

This requirement was written into the Offer to Purchase and it became the seller’s obligation to provide the Beetle Free Certificate.

• There are no gas leaks
• Emergency shut off valves have been installed in the correct positions
• The gas piping, regulator and valves and gas appliance are in a safe working condition and not corroded.

For gas cylinder/s installed on the exterior of a property:

• Are at least 1 metre away from an airbrick, a door or a window.
• Are at least 2 metres away from a drain.
• Are at least 5 metres away from an electrical source of ignition, e.g. a motor, air-conditioner, distribution board etc.
• Do not exceed the maximum volume of gas allowed on a property, which is 100kg.

Cylinders Installed outside

For a gas cylinder installed in the interior of a property (usually inside a cupboard):

• Is not situated directly below the hob.
• That the cupboard is vented to prevent the accumulation of gas.
• There are no electrical switches directly below the hob, or in the compartment where the cylinder is positioned.
• There are no electrical switches within 200mm of the hob.

9kg cylinder installation in a kitchen cupboard

• In an apartment above the ground floor, the maximum volume of gas allowed is 9 kg. This is of concern where there is a gas fireplace. A gas fireplace requires a cylinder of at least 19 kg in order to operate effectively. Reducing the size of the cylinder to 9 kg will result in performance issues and is therefore not a viable option. It would be preferable to decommission the fireplace. It is important that all parties are aware of this when signing an offer to purchase.
• In a freestanding property, the maximum volume of gas that may be stored is 100kg, unless there are plans that have been approved by the Fire Department as well as Town Planning. If the seller has a copy of these plans, they can be handed to the gas inspector. This will prevent delays. If there are no approved plans, the volume of gas stored on the property must be reduced to a maximum of 100kg.

Should you require further advice, you can contact Tyron at our offices.

If there is no existing COC, you will be taking a risk by installing a solar system. At Inspecto, we have specialized in issuing COCs for nearly three decades. We can assist you in obtaining a COC for the existing installation if you do not have one.

At Inspecto, we do not issue COCs for other installers of alternative supplies, as they are required to employ qualified and licensed personnel who should be able to issue their own COCs. It is important to ensure that your installer is capable of issuing a COC, before appointing them to proceed with your installation.

NB! If a COC is not issued, you will not be able to register your installation with the supply authority (Eskom or City of Cape Town). See following points below.

If there is no existing COC, you will be taking a risk by installing a solar system. At Inspecto, we have specialized in issuing COCs for nearly three decades. We can assist you in obtaining a COC for the existing installation if you do not have one.

Yes, all alternative supplies (solar or backup only systems) need to be registered with the supply authority. The City of Cape Town’s documentation can be downloaded here. This is the owner’s responsibility and not the responsibility of the installing contractor. In order to do this, you will need valid COCs as mentioned in preceding points.

NB! When registering a solar system, you will need to engage the services of a recognized engineer to process the registration. These costs average between R5000 and R8000. Inspecto can assist in connecting you with an engineer who will process the application on your behalf. To learn more about the process, documentation, and penalties for non-compliance, visit this page on the City’s website.

If you are only installing a backup system (no solar panels), you still need to provide COCs and register with the City, but you will not need the services of an engineer.

We do not approve of the “cookie-cutter” approach to quoting on solar installations. There are many factors that influence the price of a solar installation. These are (in descending order):

1. Your budget – Solar equipment is expensive, and the client’s budget is the most important determining factor when designing an installation they can afford.
2. An existing COC – If you do not have an existing COC, there will be additional costs involved in making the installation compliant before a solar system can be installed. See preceding FAQs relating to COCs on the property.
3. The layout of the property – Distances between roofs that will house the panels and a safe place to install the inverter and batteries will affect the cost of the installation.
4. The availability of space in the main distribution board – Some distribution boards have additional space for the components that will have to be installed, which helps keep the cost down. If the distribution board is not large enough, additional distribution boards may be required, which will increase the cost.
5. Your installer – Some installers offer lower costs but do not use qualified electricians. They cut corners and do not install the required safety equipment. While the cost may seem attractive, the risks are high. The costs will catch up to you when you sell your home and a compliance certificate needs to be issued to transfer your property.