The proposed new regulation that all properties sold in Cape Town must be issued with a certificate of compliance by a registered plumber is considered a "breakthrough for the property market".

Rael Levitt, chief executive of Auction Alliance, said: "It is a sign of a well-controlled municipal environment that they do look after these critical issues."

The Cape Argus reported last week that the City of Cape Town's amended water bylaw, which will soon go to the council for approval, contains a new clause which will oblige property sellers to obtain a clearance certificate confirming that all water and sanitation installations on the property conform to national building regulations, and bylaws pertaining to water and wastewater.

Currently, sellers require a certificate of electrical compliance and a beetle certificate, and they are responsible for the rectification of any problems identified during inspection.

Once passed, the new water bylaw will mean that property transfers in the city may only take place once problems identified with a property's plumbing have been rectified.

The certificate of compliance will guarantee that a property has no water leaks, that there is no discharge of stormwater into sewer systems, and that the water meter is functional and the sewer system intact.

The amendment was suggested during the public participation process by Peter Silbernagl, of consulting engineering firm PD Naidoo and Associates.

Both Silbernagl and Levitt said the provision was a first for South Africa, and that it would benefit property buyers and the people of Cape Town.

Silbernagl said the amount of stormwater people discharged into sewer systems caused major flooding of sewer pump stations, treatment works and overflows.

Non-compliant plumbing posed public health risks, while many ageing water meters no longer worked properly and in other cases people purposely bypassed meters.

"As a buyer, you don't buy a property for its problems," said Silbernagl, adding that if built properly, a property's plumbing "should be in order".

"Over time it (the new requirement) will save the citizens of Cape Town vast amounts of money," he predicted. Levitt said there needed to be far more comprehensive reports to protect South African buyers.

In the UK and most American states, properties were also inspected for their structural integrity, he said, adding that the plumbing certificate meant the city was "getting one step closer" to a position where a property was fully assessed to protect the buyer.

"I am fully supportive (of the measure) and delighted to see it," he said.

Cape Argus


info taken from - www.iolproperty.co.za/roller/news/entry/cape_town_s_water_bylaw