GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 52007, dated 29 January 2025 now provides that the Housing Consumer Protection Act No.25 of 2024 also applies to any addition to, alteration, renovation or repair of a home, in so far as such addition, alteration, renovation or repair necessitates the submission of building plans to a municipality.

Application of Act:

2. (1) The provisions of this Act apply to:

(a) the building of a new home; and

(b) any addition to, alteration, renovation or repair of a home, in so far as such addition, alteration, renovation or repair necessitates the submission of building plans to a municipality in terms of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977 (Act No. 103 of 1977), whether or not the home is acquired through social housing or subsidy housing.

This Act does not apply to:

(a) a dwelling unit that does not have its own bathroom or kitchen;

(b) any temporary building as contemplated in the National Building Regulations issued in terms of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977;

(c) a shack or caravan;

(d) any structure forming part of an informal settlement;

(e) a hotel; or

(f) a motel.

This essentially means that as soon as the work done requires building plan submission, that the builder must be a NHBRC registered builder. It however appears that your garage will be exempted provided it does not have a bathroom or kitchen.