Residential Conveyancing Attorneys in Johannesburg
A home transfer involves more than signing an offer and handing over keys. Hugh Raichlin Attorneys assists sellers and buyers with the legal work required to transfer residential property, identify transaction risks and coordinate the necessary documents.
The initial telephone discussion is free and helps us understand whether the firm can assist. A paid consultation is arranged where appropriate. We aim to respond within one working day after receiving your enquiry.
Attorney, Notary & Conveyancer
Residential property transfers and the conveyancing work needed to register a change of ownership.
This page is for you if…
- You are selling and need a conveyancer for the transfer.
- You are buying and want advice before signing an offer.
- A transfer has stalled or conditions are approaching expiry.
- The transaction involves an estate, trust, divorce or another complication.
How Hugh Raichlin Attorneys can help
A conveyancer coordinates the legal work that transfers registered ownership from seller to buyer — reviewing the agreement, preparing and signing transfer documents, obtaining clearances, and lodging at the Deeds Office for registration. The work runs alongside, not instead of, the bond and occupation arrangements, and timing depends on the documents, finance and the Deeds Office rather than a fixed number of weeks.
- The signed offer to purchase and any amendments or suspensive conditions.
- Property details, the stage of the transaction and any approaching deadline.
- Identity and marital-status documents, requested through an appropriate channel.
- Bond information and any existing bond cancellation figures.
- Municipal or body-corporate clearance details.
- Estate, trust or company authority documents where the seller is not an individual.
Review the transaction at the outset
An offer to purchase can become binding before the buyer or seller expects it. We can review price, conditions, deposits, occupation, fixtures, defects and deadlines before a commitment is made.
Prepare and coordinate the transfer
The conveyancing process involves instructions, verification, signing, clearances, financial arrangements and Deeds Office requirements. Bond cancellation or registration may involve separately appointed attorneys.
Address complications rather than overlook them
Authority to sell, marital status, an estate or trust, a missing document or a disputed contractual term can affect progress. We help identify what needs resolution and keep the legal work connected to the actual agreement.
What to consider before deciding
Costs and time depend on the transaction
Transfer fees, tax, registry charges, clearances and bond-related costs should be distinguished. Request an itemised estimate; a headline transfer price is not a complete budget.
Occupation is not registration
Occupation dates, occupational rent, risk and ownership can differ. Know what the agreement provides before moving, releasing keys or changing insurance.
Protect payments
Verify banking details through an independently trusted channel before transferring money. Do not rely on an unexpected email changing account details, even when the message appears to come from an attorney.
Workstreams in a property transfer
Transfer
Instructions, signing, clearances and Deeds Office lodgement.
Bond cancellation
Existing bond cancellation may involve a separately appointed attorney.
New bond
A new bond registration, where applicable, is handled under lender instructions.
These lanes can run in parallel. Timing depends on documents, finance and the Deeds Office.
The next steps
- 1Send the signed agreement or request a pre-signing review.
- 2Confirm instructions, authority, documents and cost estimate.
- 3Complete signing, clearances and financial coordination.
- 4Lodge and attend to registration, then finalise accounting and reporting.
Information to prepare
A brief enquiry is enough to start. Keep the relevant information below available for the consultation where possible. Send sensitive documents only when the firm requests them through an appropriate channel.
- Offer to purchase and any amendments.
- Property details and the stage of the transaction.
- Identity and marital-status documents when requested through the appropriate channel.
- Bond information and municipal or body-corporate details.
- Estate, trust or company authority documents where relevant.
Common mistakes to avoid
Avoid signing with unresolved conditions, assuming bond approval equals registration, missing a contractual deadline or paying changed bank details without independent verification.
Relevant experience for your matter
Abigail has been admitted as an attorney and conveyancer since 2008 and as a notary since 2009. The wider firm can assist where a transfer connects with estate, family or commercial issues.
Abigail Sher
Attorney, Notary & Conveyancer
LLB · University of South Africa
Abigail Sher is an attorney, notary and conveyancer at HRA. She assists with residential and commercial property transfers, notarial work, antenuptial contracts and deceased estates.
View Abigail's profileFrequently asked questions
Can I ask for advice before signing?
Yes. A pre-signing review can identify conditions and obligations before they become binding.
Will transfer always take a fixed number of weeks?
No. Documents, finance, clearances, linked transactions and the Deeds Office affect timing.
Does one firm necessarily handle transfer and both bonds?
No. Transfer, bond registration and bond cancellation can involve different appointments.
Can you give a transfer-cost estimate?
An itemised estimate can be prepared from the transaction details. Taxes and third-party costs must be distinguished from legal fees.
Related services
Legal Insights
Property transfer explained: what happens after the offer is signed?
Follow the practical stages of a property transfer, identify common dependencies and prepare documents before delays affect your transaction.
Who chooses the conveyancer? Settle the appointment before signing
The seller ordinarily nominates the conveyancer, but the agreement matters. Compare roles, fees, communication and payment safeguards before signing.
Property-transfer fraud: checks that matter before money or ownership moves
Check the conveyancer, seller authority, payment instructions and transaction documents. Learn why registration does not make every fraud dispute disappear.
Useful sources
- SARS transfer duty guidanceExplains transfer duty, the declaration process and payment, helping buyers and sellers understand the tax steps in a home transfer.
- Department of Justice and Constitutional DevelopmentStart here for official legislation and public legal information if an issue during a home transfer needs legal follow-up.
Property transfer and conveyancing fees
For property transfers and conveyancing, HRA accepts enquiries where the property value is R1.5 million or more. Please tell us whether you are the buyer or seller, the approximate property value and the location.
The standard initial consultation fee of R3,450 including VAT applies after scope confirmation.
Feedback on working with Abigail Sher
Selected feedback shared about HRA. Excerpts are labelled. Every matter is different.
“Hi Hugh, thank you very much to you and your team for the excellent professional service provided to us. Especially Abigail who always remain calm and professional no matter how much pressure there was.”
Tommy Steyn
Facebook recommendation
Get advice on the property decision in front of you.
Tell us whether you are buying, selling or dealing with a stalled transfer. We will identify the next step and the documents needed.
How to get started
- 1
Send a brief enquiry, or start an AI-assisted WhatsApp enquiry at any time.
- 2
The initial telephone discussion is free and helps the firm assess whether it can assist. Where the firm may be able to help, an attorney ordinarily follows up within one working day after receipt.
- 3
Where appropriate, a paid consultation is arranged. Its scope and fees are confirmed separately; consultations are usually in person, with remote arrangements considered where suitable.
WhatsApp AI gathers initial information; it does not provide legal advice. An enquiry does not confirm an appointment, acceptance of a matter or action on a deadline.