Duties of Consumer

(1) Every consumer shall maintain the electrical installation, substations and all appliances on the premises owned or occupied by him in good order and repair and shall be responsible for the safe-keeping of all meters, service fuses, service mains and other electrical apparatus and fittings belonging to the Council which are placed or installed on his premises.The consumer shall be responsible for any loss of or damage to any apparatus and fittings belonging to the Council which directly or indirectly results from a failure on his part to exercise all reasonable care in safeguarding the same, or is caused by any wilful or negligent act or omission of the consumer or of his employee or agent or any person who is upon the said premises with the consent, tacit or otherwise, of the consumer, or given on his behalf, and the consumer shall pay to the Council on demand the cost of making good or of repairing any such loss or damage as ascertained and certified by the Engineer.

(2) Where a consumer discovers any fault or defect in any electrical installation, he shall immediately cut off the supply at the main switch and arrange for the rectification of the fault or defect.

(3) Where, in the opinion of the Engineer, the electrical installation in any premises is not in accordance with the bylaws or the code of practice or where in his opinion there is any defect in such installation or substation or in any appliance used in or on such premises which is likely to cause injury to life or damage to property, he may, by notice, call upon the consumer to bring the installation, substation or appliance into conformity with the bylaws or wiring regulations or to remove the defect within the period specified in the notice. Upon the failure of the consumer to comply with such notice within the period specified, the Engineer shall have the right to disconnect the supply of electricity to such premises.

(4) If a consumer fails to perform the duties imposed on him by subsection (1) or if he fails to comply with the terms of a notice given to him in terms of subsection (3) within the period specified in such notice, the Engineer may, at the cost of the consumer, himself cause any work to be carried out which he considers necessary to bring the electrical installation, substations and appliances on the premises concerned into good order and repair and remedy any defect therein or to bring the electrical installation into conformity with the bylaws or the code of practice, as the case may be. 

(5) A user or lessor is required in terms of the Electrical Installation Regulations to be in possession of a valid certificate of compliance for each installation used or leased by him.