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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 lawyer@capetownlawyer.co.za and ask us to try beat the quote!

Understand Property Transfer Costs in South Africa: Fees & Calculation

Purchase price Transfer costs
R500,000 R21,119
R750,000 R28,314
R1,000,000 R33,057
R1,500,000 R52,075
R2,000,000 R86,266
R3,000,000 R184,251
R4,000,000 R305,664
R5,000,000 R427,534
R10,000,000 R1,007,303

Lawyer holding a calculator with transfer costs written on it, standing in front of house with sign saying that it was sold for R5m. South Afrrican flag.

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 Attorney Fees R26,835
Postages & Petties R776
Deeds Office Fees R1,374
Electronic Generation Fee R794
FICA R460
Deeds Office Searches R345
Rates Clearance Fees R690
Transfer Duty R0
Total Transfer Costs (incl VAT) R31,274

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

Transfer Attorney Fees R97,503
Postages & Petties R776
Deeds Office Fees R3 615
Electronic Generation Fee R794
FICA R460
Deeds Office Searches R345
Rates Clearance Fees R690
Transfer Duty R897,600
Total Transfer Costs (incl VAT) R1,001,783

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.

Property lawyer standing in front of house with a large calculator, symbolising the transfer costs calculator. Couple celebrating the purchase of the house in the background.

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: