Whether you are building a family home in Kempton Park, adding a room in Tembisa or developing units in Midrand, one organisation should be on your checklist from day one: the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC). Its job is to protect housing consumers from poor workmanship and structural defects — and the rules are about to get stronger.
The rules today: the 1998 Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act
Under the current Act, anyone who builds new homes for a client must be registered with the NHBRC, and every new home must be enrolled with the NHBRC before construction starts. Enrolment is what gives you, the owner, access to the NHBRC warranty scheme:
- Five years of cover against major structural defects.
- One year of cover for roof leaks.
- Three months for non-compliance with the agreed plans and specifications.
Banks know this too — most lenders will not finance a new build unless the builder is registered and the home is enrolled.
What is changing: the Housing Consumer Protection Act
The new Housing Consumer Protection Act will replace the 1998 law and is expected to come fully into effect in 2027. Key changes reported so far include:
- Developers, not only builders, will need to register with the NHBRC, which becomes a regulatory authority with stronger inspection powers and higher penalties.
- Alterations and additions to existing homes are brought into the system — relevant for the many South Africans who extend rather than move.
- Warranty cover begins at construction stage, with some elements extended from one to two years.
- Estate agents are expected to play a bigger role in checking a property’s compliance when it is sold.
Your pre-construction checklist
- Verify your builder’s NHBRC registration — ask for the registration number and confirm it is current.
- Ask for the enrolment certificate for a new home before work begins.
- Get municipal approval for your plans. In Kempton Park that means the City of Ekurhuleni; building work must comply with the National Building Regulations (SANS 10400).
- Insist on a written contract with a clear scope, specifications, payment milestones and timeline.
- Keep every document — approved plans, enrolment, inspection reports and certificates of compliance. You will need them when you sell or refinance.
How Omphu Investment works
Omphu Investment is registered with both the NHBRC and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). On every project we work within the agreed scope, coordinate inspections and make sure your paperwork is in order — so your home is protected long after we hand over the keys.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the NHBRC and your municipality before you build.