Life Hacks: The Five Compliance Certificates to sell a house

In this episode of 'Lunch with Pippa Hudson,' the focus is on the often-overlooked but critical role of compliance certificates (COCs) in the home selling process. Pippa Hudson, joined by Gavin Lomberg of Uber Home Loans and Ben Chiroro from STBB Attorneys, unpacks the five essential COCs required for a smooth property transfer: electrical, electric fence, gas, water and plumbing, and the beetle (termite) certificate. While some are legally mandatory—such as electrical and gas certificates—others like the beetle certificate are highly recommended, especially in coastal areas, for peace of mind. The hosts emphasize that sellers are responsible for obtaining and paying for these certificates, and failure to do so can cause major delays or even derail a sale. Key insights include the importance of verifying that electricians and inspectors are registered with the Department of Employment and Labor, the impact of solar or inverter installations on electrical certificate validity, and the fact that gas and plumbing certificates are especially crucial in high-risk areas like Cape Town. The episode also addresses common pitfalls, such as relying on outdated or fraudulent certificates, and offers practical advice for both buyers and sellers to avoid last-minute surprises.