The NHBRC (National Home Builders Registration Council)

About the NHBRC

The National Home Builders Registration Council (The NHBRC) was established in 1998 as a regulatory body for the home building industry.

Their mandate is to protect house-building consumers and to make sure that building industry standards and regulations are followed. Their stated aim is to protect housing consumers who use contractors who deliver housing units of substandard design, do bad work and/or use poor quality building materials. There is no limit set on the value or size house that falls under the NHBRC’s mandate to protect.

Housing Consumer – Home Builder

Legally the term “housing consumers” refers to any person who undertakes to be an owner-builder or “home builder” and/or contracts a construction company or competent person to build their house.
The NHBRC was first established in 1998, in accordance with the provisions of The Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act (Act No. 95 of 1998).

You can download the Act here >>Click<<.  An amendment and addition was made to the Act in 2007 (available >>here<<), implemented a grading system for home builders, and aiming to address the following issues:

1            An improved response to consumers’ complaints

2            To improve and speed up the enrollment and registration of houses with the NHBRC

3            Ensure that the NHBRC Technical Requirements are adhered to

4            Maintain a high quality of homes being built

In terms of The Housing Consumers Protection Measurers Act, any person in the business of building homes is required by law to register with the NHBRC. With this in mind, the NHBRC urges property owners to make sure that the builders they use are registered and certified by the NHBRC.

the NHBRC Certified Builders

All builders are certified by the NHBRC who make sure that they meet regulated industry criteria for technical, construction and financial capabilities.

The NHBRC also states that if you enroll your building project with them (even if you are owner building and not using a registered builder) that they will ensure that you are protected against bad workmanship and poor building practices. They have quality building inspections to ensure that your home is not exposed to structural failure.

Note that all registered builders are bound to enroll ALL their building projects.

Owner Build

If you want to owner build, you need to apply to the NHBRC for an exemption. This means you don’t have to enrol your house, but you won’t be covered by their warranty scheme, and you won’t be allowed to sell your property for at least five years. If you don’t get an exemption and go ahead and build, the NHBRC can fine you … even though you have approved plans from you local authority.

The Council has a builders database and this can be searched to see if a builder is registered and the results will show where they are located as well as their status, see the screenshot below. NB In this sample we have obscured the registration number and names deliberately.

Registered home builders also have specific obligations according to the Council; and these are listed below:

•    It is vital for all home builders in the business of home construction to register with the NHBRC and to renew this membership annually.
•    It is essential for all home builders to enter into written agreements with clients before construction commences.
•    Enrolment of all homes must be done at least 15 days prior to construction beginning.
•    All homes must be constructed in accordance with the NHBRC’s technical requirements and the terms, plans and specifications of the written agreement. (Although they do not state this, all homes must also be constructed in accordance with the National Building Regulations.)
•    Non-compliance in terms of plans and specifications or any deficiency related to design, workmanship or materials as notified by the housing consumer must be rectified within a period of three months from date of occupation
•    Roof leaks attributable to workmanship, design or materials as notified by the housing consumer, that occurs within a period of 12 months from date of occupation, must be rectified.
•    Major structural defects as notified by the housing consumer, that manifests within a period of five years from date of occupation, must be rectified.

Forms That Need To Be Filled In

The NHBRC have a number of forms that have to be filled in from time to time.

Here is a list with a link that will help you to download the necessary forms > Click on the links below<:

Application for Registration AR003

Owner Builder Exemption Form

Residential Unit Enrolment Form EF003

Sectional Title Enrolment Form ST003

Appointment of a Competent Person

Competent Persons Questionnaire

Technical Information Form

Completion Certificate by a Competent Person

Contractor Payment Authorisation PA003

Complaint Form

Renewal Update

NHBRC Services (Commodity) List

Supplier Application Form

Standard Bidding Document SBD9

A few technical documents are available here:

Design and Construction of Houses GFSH-11 2003

NHBRC Warranty Scheme Enrolments and Requirements

Engineering Services

NHBRC Access to Information Manual

The NHBRC website can be accessed here: http://www.nhbrc.org.za/

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