CERTIFICATION CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR HOME BUYERS IF MISUNDERSTOOD

Experienced estate agents will confirm that one of the biggest challenges, and the most serious difficulties they encounter, is despite ongoing educational efforts by the real estate fraternity, many home buyers have a limited understanding of whole sale/negotiation/contractual obligations processes. Rowan Alexander, Director of Alexander Swart Property, one of the few Cape estate agencies budgeting for a significant increase in sales this year, says this lack of understanding all too often results in buyers having unrealistic expectations.

Buyers tend to be most ignorant re compliance certificates required by the Council and the bank, if a home is to be sold:

• *electrical compliance certificate ensuring the home is wired to the prescribed specifications and standards, especially as regards safety;
• *plumbing compliance certificate to ensure that the plumbing network complies with specifications to ensure that the water supply is measured, water is    not being wasted through leaks and there is no cross-contamination of sewage and stormwater;
• *electrical fencing certificate which ensures the installation complies with regulations and is safe;  
• *gas installation certificate, ensuring compliance with regulations and is safe.

Many buyers believe that recently issued certificates guarantee the systems are in good working order.  What they are designed to do is simply confirm that such systems are correctly installed and comply with safety rulings. Although the seller may have the required certificates, the system may not in perfect working order. To avoid disappointment, buyers who may have doubts or suspicions about any aspect of the systems certificated, should call in a qualified property inspector to check on these.

"If any fault is identified before the sale agreement is signed, the purchaser can make it a condition of sale that the seller rectifies the fault. The buyer must not rely on the certificates to give him assurance that certified systems are in full working order."

For further  information, please contact Rowan Alexander: email rowan@asproperty.co.za or cell phone 082 581 3116.