- Application fee
- R745.61Once off, not refundable
- Annual membership
- R526.32Every year, to stay registered
- Assessment attempts
- 2Within 30 days of paying
Who Has to Register
Under the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act, 1998 (Act No. 95 of 1998), anyone in the business of building homes must be registered with the NHBRC before building a home for sale, whether you trade as a company, a trust or a partnership.
Building without registering is an offence.
The NHBRC states the penalty as a fine of up to R25,000 or imprisonment of up to a year, per charge.
What You Need Before You Apply
Every application needs the same tax document. What goes with it depends on how you trade.
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Everyone
An original, valid tax clearance certificate from SARS.
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Company
A Notice of Incorporation (Co 14.1) and a certified copy of the shareholding certificate.
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Trust
A Trust Resolution or Deed of Trust.
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Partnership
A certified copy of the partnership agreement.
The Process, Step by Step
Apply Online
Complete the application form on the NHBRC’s Online Services Portal and attach the documents above.
Wait for the Invoice
Once you submit, the NHBRC sends an invoice for the application fee.
Pay It
R745.61, once off and not refundable. Your 30-day assessment window starts from this payment.
Book Your Assessment
Email your Provincial Customer Care Office to book the technical assessment.
Attend the Induction
The Builders’ Induction workshop runs at your nearest NHBRC office, Monday to Friday.
Write the Assessment
Study the Home Builders Manual and sit the technical assessment. Two attempts, within 30 days of paying the application fee.
What It Costs Official
- Application fee
- R745.61Paid once, when you apply. Not refundable.
- Annual membership
- R526.32Renewed every year to keep your registration active.
Renewal uses a separate form (RR001), submitted with your supporting documents to your nearest Provincial Customer Care Centre. The NHBRC states a turnaround of around four working days once it has your application.
Where to Apply
Applications go through the NHBRC directly, at nhbrc.org.za. There is no third party you have to go through, and nobody can register on your behalf for a fee that the NHBRC does not publish.
The Technical Assessment
Registration includes a technical assessment on the standards a home builder is expected to know. It is written in person at an NHBRC office, from the Home Builders Manual you are issued. What the NHBRC publishes about its format, and what it does not, is set out in our guide to the technical assessment. If you would rather start preparing, the two-week preparation plan and our summary of what the test covers are the places to begin.
Questions People Ask
Do I have to register with the NHBRC?
If you are in the business of building homes, yes. The Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act, 1998 requires registration before you build a home for sale, whether you trade as a company, a trust or a partnership.
What does NHBRC registration cost?
The NHBRC publishes an application fee of R745.61, once off and not refundable, plus annual membership of R526.32 to keep the registration active. Fees change. Check nhbrc.org.za before you budget.
What happens if I build without registering?
It is an offence. The NHBRC states the penalty as a fine of up to R25,000 or imprisonment of up to a year, per charge.
Do I have to write a test to register?
Yes. Registration includes a technical assessment on the standards a home builder is expected to know, written at an NHBRC office after you have paid the application fee. There is more on it in our guide to the technical assessment.
What if I fail the technical assessment?
You get two attempts, within 30 days of paying the application fee. That window is the reason to prepare before you book rather than after.
How long does renewal take?
Renewal uses a separate form, RR001, submitted with supporting documents to your nearest Provincial Customer Care Centre. The NHBRC states a turnaround of around four working days once it has your application.