Property Transfer Costs in South Africa
A property budget needs to cover more than the purchase price. Hugh Raichlin Attorneys helps Johannesburg buyers and sellers understand the legal work, tax and third-party costs that may arise in a transfer, and request an itemised estimate based on the actual transaction.
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 follow up within one working day after receiving your enquiry.
This page is for you if…
- You want to understand the cash needed before registration.
- You are comparing conveyancing estimates and need to identify what is included.
- A new bond, an existing bond or clearance amounts may affect your budget.
- You are selling and want to understand deductions and settlement amounts.
- You need clarification before signing an offer or paying a request received by email.
How Hugh Raichlin Attorneys can help
Separate professional work from third-party amounts
We explain which items relate to the legal work, which are paid to institutions and which depend on the property or transaction. A lower headline professional fee does not necessarily mean a lower total transfer cost.
Understand the transaction before estimating
The purchase price, buyer and seller, property type, financing and the agreement affect the information needed. Trusts, companies, deceased estates and non-standard transactions may require additional work or advice.
Coordinate the property instructions
Abigail Sher's conveyancing practice supports the transfer process and the explanation of the legal scope. A new bond or cancellation may involve a separately appointed attorney acting on lender instructions. Do not assume that one estimate includes every attorney's work.
Key cost categories to understand
Transfer duty or VAT on the property transaction
Transfer duty is a tax, not the transfer attorney's professional fee. The applicable tax treatment depends on the transaction. A property sale subject to VAT is not also charged transfer duty on that same sale. VAT on professional services is a separate question. Ask which treatment and effective date apply rather than applying a generic percentage.
Transfer attorney's professional fees
These relate to the agreed conveyancing work. Request a written description of the scope and whether VAT and any extra work are included. The estimate should distinguish professional fees from third-party disbursements.
Deeds Office and administrative disbursements
Registration and other administrative items may appear separately. Ask for an itemised explanation rather than assuming that every additional line is another attorney's fee.
New bond registration and lender costs
Financing can introduce separate legal and lender charges. Confirm the lender's requirements, the appointed bond attorney and whether their estimate is separate from the transfer estimate.
Existing bond settlement and cancellation
The seller should obtain the relevant lender figures and clarify cancellation requirements. A bond settlement amount repays existing debt; it is not simply a conveyancing fee.
Municipal and community-scheme amounts
Rates, service accounts, levies, clearances and adjustments may require funds before registration. The figures and allocation depend on the property, institution and agreement. Ask which amounts are estimates, advances, arrears or adjustments.
Other sale and occupation costs
Commission, certificates, occupational arrangements, moving and other agreed obligations should be considered separately. Do not assume that these are covered by the transfer attorney's estimate or that every property has the same requirements.
Read the estimate in three parts
Legal work
Identify the professional work, its scope and any VAT.
Tax and registration
Identify the applicable tax and official registration amounts.
Property and finance
Identify lender, clearance and agreement-dependent items.
An itemised estimate explains the categories; it is not a guarantee that all amounts are final.
The next steps
- 1Provide the property details, price, transaction stage and financing outline in a short enquiry.
- 2Make the offer and relevant information available when the firm requests them.
- 3Ask for the legal scope, itemised estimate, assumptions and expected payment stages.
- 4Verify payment instructions using an established contact method before transferring money.
Information to prepare
These details help an estimate; a brief enquiry is enough to start.
- Property address, type and proposed purchase price.
- Whether you are the buyer, seller or authorised representative.
- The offer to purchase and any amendments, when requested.
- Whether a new bond or existing bond is involved.
- Whether a company, trust or deceased estate is involved.
- Any quote or payment request you need explained.
- Intended occupation date and any relevant deadline.
Common mistakes to avoid
Avoid treating transfer duty as the entire cost, comparing estimates with different exclusions, relying on a rate from an older transaction or paying changed banking details without independent verification.
Relevant experience for your matter
Abigail Sher is an attorney, notary and conveyancer at Hugh Raichlin Attorneys. The firm assists with residential and commercial property transfers and coordinates connected property and estate issues where required.
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
Are transfer duty and conveyancing fees the same?
No. Transfer duty is a tax. Conveyancing fees relate to the legal work. An estimate should identify tax, professional fees and disbursements separately.
Does a cash purchase remove all transfer costs?
No. The absence of a new bond removes that particular financing work, not the transfer work, applicable tax or every other transaction cost.
Are new-bond costs included in the transfer estimate?
Not necessarily. Bond registration may be handled by a separately appointed attorney. Check exactly which work each estimate covers.
Why can a seller need money before registration?
Lender requirements, clearance figures and other obligations may arise before the transfer completes. Ask for the expected amounts and timing for your property.
Is this page a quotation?
No. It explains the categories to discuss. HRA can assess the transaction details and the proposed legal scope before providing an appropriate estimate.
Where should I check the applicable transfer-duty rates?
Use the SARS transfer-duty guidance and confirm the relevant acquisition date and transaction treatment with the conveyancer. Do not use an old table simply because it appears in a search result.
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
Know what you are budgeting for before the transfer
Send a short outline of the property transaction. Ask us to explain the legal scope, cost categories and information needed for an itemised estimate.
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.
- 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.
Contact the firm
This website provides general information, not legal advice. Sending an enquiry does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. Each matter is assessed on its own facts.