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Input the value (usually the purchase price) of your property into our bespoke calculator above, and it will estimate all the transfer costs for both "normal residential" as well as for inherited property. Then email your favourite property transfer attorneys and ask them to try beat the price!

What are transfer fees?

Transfer fees are the costs incurred in transferring a house's title (or other property) in South Africa from the seller to the buyer; the costs relate to the conveyancing fees and disbursements payable in order to facilitate the transfer of the property from the seller to the buyer.

What do transfer fees include?

Transfer fees include:

• Transfer attorney fees: These fees cover the legal services provided by attorneys involved in facilitating the transfer of property ownership. They encompass tasks such as drafting and reviewing contracts, conducting due diligence, and ensuring all legal requirements are met throughout the transfer process. The Law Society of South Africa sets the level of Transfer Attorney Fees in line with the Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937, Transfer attorney fees are negotiable with the client. Click here to see the level of conveyancing fees set from 27 May 2024.
• Postages & Petties. These fees cover various incidental expenses incurred during the transfer process, such as postage fees for sending documents, courier charges, and other small miscellaneous costs essential for administrative purposes.
• Deeds Office Fees. These fees are payable to the Government's Deeds Office for the registration of property transactions and based on the property's purchase price. They are stipulated in the Government Gazette. They cover the administrative costs associated with processing and recording the transfer of ownership in the official property records.
• Electronic Generation Fee. This fee pertains to the costs associated with electronically generating and processing the necessary documents for the transfer of property ownership. It includes expenses related to the use of digital platforms and technologies for document creation and transmission.
• FICA. The Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) requires compliance measures to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. FICA fees cover the costs associated with verifying the identity of clients, conducting risk assessments, and implementing due diligence procedures as mandated by regulatory authorities.
• Deeds Office Searches. These fees are incurred for conducting searches at the Deeds Office to verify property ownership, existing encumbrances, and any other relevant information pertaining to the property being transferred (ie to make sure that there are no conditions preventing the sale of the property). They contribute to the costs associated with ensuring the legality and validity of the transaction.
• Rates Clearance Fees. Charges for obtaining a rates clearance certificate from the municipality, confirming that all outstanding rates and taxes on the property have been settled. These fees cover the administrative costs involved in obtaining official clearance to transfer the property free of any outstanding financial obligations.
• Transfer Duty. This tax is imposed by the government on the transfer of property ownership and is based on the value of the property being transferred. At the time of writing, if the property costs less than R1,100,000 (used to be R1,000,000), there is no transfer duty payable.

The expenses associated with transferring property ownership from the seller into the name of the buyer encompasses government fees such as transfer duty, legal expenses, and various payments that attorneys need to make for obtaining the necessary clearances. Please note that all values generated by the Transfer Cost Calculator are estimated figures and are subject to change. While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, we disclaim any liability for errors contained herein. CapeTownLawyer.co.za and related parties shall not be held responsible for any loss or damages arising from the use of this calculator under any circumstances.

For an official quote email lawyer@capetownlawyer.co.za

Transfer costs for property purchase price of R1,000,000

Transfer costs for property purchase price of R10,000,000

First time purchasers

Property Transfer costs are the same for first time purchasers, as for those who have purchased a property before. The South African Government does provide financial assistance to some South Africans who are not wealthy, and have never bought property before, but it is not in the form of reduced transfer costs; it's in the form of a subsidy which inter alia might be used to pay transfer costs; navigate to our FLISP Government Housing subsidy page to apply and see the detailed requirements.

Fixed cost conveyancing

Whilst overseas fixed cost conveyancing is becoming less rare, in South Africa it has not taken off as yet. Having said that, we are open to negotiating a fixed cost fee. Email lawyer@capetownlawyer.co.za and let us know what you propose.

Deceased estate transfer costs

If a deceased estate sells a property for a cash consideration (and the cash then becomes an asset of the estate, until it is then either passed on to heirs as an inheritance or used to settle liabilities of the estate), then transfer costs are the same as those for any normal property purchase (ie the same as an equivalent property transaction not involving a deceased estate), with the purchaser being responsible for paying the transfer costs.

If, however, the property is transferred directly from being in the possession of the deceased estate, to being in the possession of an heir as inheritance (ie no cash consideration was paid to the deceased estate for the property), then special rules apply: transfer costs on property inherited from a deceased estate are different to those described on this page; they:

• exclude transfer duty (before you celebrate remember that the property still forms part of the value of the estate, which may be subject to estate duty).
• have an additional cost for a Section 42 Certificate.
• are paid for by the deceased estate (usually transfer costs are paid for by the receipient of the property).




FAQ on Property Transfer Costs

• How much does a lawyer charge to transfer a title deed?
  • The Deeds Offices maintains a register of title deeds in South Africa; with the question being how much an attorney would charge to transfer the title deed from one person to another. Much of the total property transfer costs a lawyer will quote you reflect charges other than their own, e.g. transfer duty which is a tax paid to the South African Revenue Service. The charge which goes to compensate the lawyer for transferring a deed is the attorney transfer cost, the details of which are set out on this page.
• What are the attorney's fees for transfer of property?
  • The total quoted property transfer costs include costs which go to parties other than the conveyancing attorney (e.g. transfer duty is a tax paid to SARS). The specific attorney's fees for the transfer are referred to above as "attorney transfer cost" OR "conveyancing attorney costs". Navigate to our page on how transfer attorney costs are calculated to see how standard industry fees are calculated. It is of course possible for you to negotiate lower conveyancing fees than the standard industry guidelines (and many/most property sellers/purchasers do this).
• Does the buyer or the seller pay the property transfer costs?
  • The buyer pays the property transfer costs, except for inheritances where the deceased estate is responsible for paying the transfer costs. Property transfer costs borne by the buyer include:
    • Conveyancing Fees: Legal fees for the conveyancing attorney handling the transfer of the property.
    • Transfer Duty: A tax levied by the government on property transfers, based on the property's value.
    • Bond Registration Fees: If the buyer applies for a bond, these include initiation fees, registration costs, and possibly other charges from the lender.
    • Occupational Rental: If the buyer takes occupation of the property before the transfer is officially registered, this covers the rental cost for that period.
    • Home Owners' Association (HOA) Consent: If the property is governed by an HOA (this will be in the title deed), the buyer must cover the cost of obtaining consent for the transfer from the HOA.
    • Rates Clearance Certificate: The cost associated with obtaining a certificate from the City of Cape Town (or other local municipality) stating that all rates and taxes are paid up to date (if required).
    • Levy Clearance Certificate: For properties within a sectional title scheme, this involves the expense of obtaining consent from the body corporate for the transfer, confirming that all levies have been paid.
  • The seller is responsible for the following costs associated with the sale of the property:
    • Cancellation of Existing Bonds: Fees for cancelling any existing bonds on the property.
    • Municipal Charges: Rates and services payable to the City of Cape Town, including a four-month advance payment. Note that the City of Cape Town will calculate a refund once the transfer date is established.
    • Estate Agent's Commission: deducted from the sale proceeds.
    • Sectional Title Levies: For sectional title properties, a pro-rata share of both regular and special levies.
    • Title Deed Replacement: Costs associated with applying for a certified copy of the title deed if the original has been lost.
    • Property Repairs: Any repairs stipulated in the Deed of Sale, which must be carried out at the seller's expense.
• How do I transfer a house to another person?
  • Houses are transferred from one person to another in the same way other immovable property is transferred (e.g. a flat); the services of a qualified conveyancing attorney would be required to legally effect the transfer. Depending on whether you are selling or donating the house, there would be an agreement of sale or agreement of donation signed by the parties (which would also include an agreement on who the conveyancing attorney would be), which would form the legal basist of the transfer. Even if it's a donation, transfer costs would be applicable. It is also important to think about tax implications - e.g. donations tax, capital gains tax and transfer duty. Another way to transfer a property to another person is to allow them to inherit it on your death. There are also ways to provide another person with right of use of your house, without giving them ownership rights, such as through an usufruct.
• What are house transfer fees?
  • House transfer fees are the same as the general property transfer fees described above on this page. There isn't a differentiation between houses and flats when it comes to property transfer costs; it's the value of the property which determines the fees not whether it's a flat or house.
• Are transfer costs the same as bond costs?
  • No, transfer costs and bond costs are not the same in South Africa. They are separate and distinct expenses associated with purchasing a property. Transfer costs are the costs associated with transferring the legal ownership of the property from the seller to the buyer. Bond costs are over and above transfer costs; they are the fees incurred in the registration of a bond, if the purchaser wished to take out a bond to borrow money to finance the purchase of the property. Bond registration costs are added to bank initiation fees, deeds office fees, post, petties, and FICA fees to get the total bond costs
• How can I avoid property transfer costs?
  • The conveyancing component of property transfer costs may be negotiated down (or completely avoided if you have a conveyancing friend who is willing to give you a freebie). Shop around and get quotes from multiple conveyancers
  • Transfer duties are zero if the property you are selling is worth less than R1.1m, also zero if you inherit the property (although watch out for possible estate duty), also zero if you gain ownership of the property in terms of a divorce order, or from an in community of property marriage. If you buy from a property developer then VAT is payable instead of transfer duty (more generally, if the seller of the property is registered for VAT then VAT will be payable instead of transfer duty).
  • Deeds office fees are unfortunately always payable.
  • Bond registration fees may be avoided by not taking out a bond!
  • Property transfer costs are payable by the purchaser (except in the case of inheritances, where they are the responsibility of the estate); however the purchaser may negotiate with the seller to cover some or all of the transfer costs.





Property transfer & sale Info

Sellers of property & buyers, speak to a property lawyer before you hire an estate agent!

• The property transfer process in South Africa - protect your interests.
• Conveyancing lawyers in Cape Town.
  • Checklist to help you identify the best conveyancer near you.
  • Bellville conveyancing attorneys
  • Blouberg conveyancing attorneys
  • Milnerton conveyancing attorneys
  • Pinelands conveyancing attorneys
  • Tableview conveyancing attorneys
• Transfer costs calculator for property anywhere in South Africa.
  • Can I negotiate transfer costs?
  • Transfer attorney fees
    • Fixed fee conveyancing in South Africa. Possible?
    • Understanding the various conveyancing costs.
    • Conveyancing quote
    • New conveyancing fees from 27 May 2024
  • Deeds office fees 29 Feb 2024.
  • Law Society conveyancing fees 2023
  • Law Society conveyancing fees 2024
  • Conveyancing fees 2025
  • Conveyancing fees 2026
  • Bond attorney fees
  • Transfer Duty calculator
  • Deceased estate property transfer costs
• Deeds Registeries Act.
• Servitudes
  • Usufruct Agreement on Property in South African law.
    • Usufruct value calculator (only one in South Africa)
• Land conveyancing
• Transfer attorney vs bond attorney.
• Commercial Property:
  • Transferring property as a going concern.
  • Commercial Property conveyancing quote
• Marriage/Divorce-related:
  • How to transfer property from husband to wife (or vice versa); whilst still married (ie not getting divorced).
    • Donation of property agreement not followed through.
    • When property is erroneously in your spouse's name.
  • "Protection" of fixed property using a trust.
  • Conveyancers conduct the transfer of property ownership from one spouse to another (or to a third party, if relevant).
  • Liquidator to sell property & divide proceeds as part of divorce.
• Property sales
  • Use conveyancer to guide your private property sale.
  • Instead of using real estate agents rather use professional lawyers to sell your property.
  • Urgent house sale.
  • How to check whether an estate agent is licensed.
  • Example of a property sales agreement.
  • FLISP Housing subsidies.
  • Property practitioner's Act.
  • Code to guide conduct of property practitioners.
• Property purchases
  • Scams property purchasers should watch out for.
  • Home loan repayments calculator, with an estimate of the adjustment to prime to reflect the borrower's credit risk profile.
• Terminology
  • Arranging lodgement
  • Compliance certificates
  • Conveyancer's certificate
  • Deed of Sale
  • Deeds officer examiner
  • Existing bonds
  • FICA documents
  • Levy clearance certificate
  • Offer to purchase
  • Property sale agreement
  • Property search
  • Rates clearance certificate
  • Statement of account
  • Suspensive condition
  • Title deed
  • Transfer documents

Conveyancing & property transfer discussion forum

Note that this is a public forum - exercise caution before acting on info and use at own risk. Anybody may ask and answer, and you don't know what their level of expertise is. No information on this website should be acted on without first consulting with a lawyer to test its validity. Do not share private details here.