Buyer's Guide · 2026
Buyer's Cost Guide
Beyond the purchase price, every buyer pays transfer costs, transfer duty, and — if using a home loan — bond costs. These must be settled before the property registers in your name.
Written & verified by
Cara Hendricks
Conveyancing Attorney
Cara is a conveyancing attorney who helps buyers, sellers and agents understand the legal side of property in plain language.
Important: Transfer and bond costs cannot come out of your bond. Both must be paid in cash to the conveyancing attorneys before registration can take place. Budget for them separately, on top of your deposit and purchase price.
1Transfer costs
Paid to the transferring attorney. Covers the attorney's fee (LSSA Guideline, 1 July 2026, net of VAT), disbursements (approximately R4,500), the Deeds Office registration fee, and transfer duty. Transfer duty is a SARS tax that applies on properties priced above R1,210,000.
Transfer costs by purchase price
Drag to explorePurchase price
R1m
Estimated total (net of VAT)
R32,239
Attorney fee
R26,275
Disbursements
R4,500
Deeds Office
R1,464
Transfer duty
R0
2Bond costs (home loan only)
If buying with a mortgage, your bank appoints a bond attorney to register the bond at the Deeds Office. Their fees are billed to you separately from transfer costs and must also be settled in cash before registration. No transfer duty applies here.
Bond costs by loan amount
Drag to exploreLoan amount
R1m
Estimated total (net of VAT)
R31,739
Attorney fee
R26,275
Disbursements
R4,000
Deeds Office
R1,464
3Often-forgotten extras
Depending on your property type and circumstances, these additional costs may apply.
Levy clearance certificate
Sectional title only. Budget approximately R2,000. Refunded if the actual fee is less.
Levy figures
Sectional title. Budget approximately R3,000. Any overpayment is refunded after registration.
Exclusive use area
Parking bay, storeroom, or balcony? Add approximately R4,000 for notarial registration fees.
Occupational rent
Moving in before registration? One full month’s rent is due upfront before you move in.
Moving and storage
Not an attorney cost. Plan and budget for this separately.
Utility connections
First month’s rates, levies, and municipal service connection costs.
4What each cost means
A plain-English explanation of every cost item in this guide.
Attorney fees per LSSA Guideline of Fees effective 1 July 2026, shown net of VAT (15% VAT payable in addition). Transfer duty per SARS 2026/2027 rates (effective 1 April 2025). Disbursements are estimates. Deeds Office fees are indicative. All figures are estimates only. Actual costs vary by property, municipality, and appointed conveyancer. Always confirm exact costs with your conveyancer before committing to a purchase.
Still have questions?
These figures are a guide only. For an estimate specific to your transaction, ask our resident attorney Cara — or get an instant answer from our assistant.