I could be wrong on the number but I believe it is Article 16 which states that "no item for which a safety standard exists may be offered for barter, tender or sale unless such safety standard has been met" In other words the COC must be in place even before the house/property is advertised(and the Estate Agents board knows this). It also means that a motorvehicle may not be sold without a roadworthy certificate. To the full extent of the law you may not even give your kids your house for nothing without a COC(unless of course all parties agree in writing to transfer liability thereof to the recipient). Selling a car without brakes to someone unlucky enough to kill himself before betting home could see you being tried for culpable homicide. Providied their family are aware of Article 16.