First-time Buyer Journey · Step 5
Bond & FICA paperwork
Your Offer to Purchase has been accepted — but there are still several important legal and administrative steps before the property can be transferred into your name. This stage involves finalising your home loan, completing your FICA requirements, signing legal documents with the appointed attorneys, and meeting any remaining conditions. Every document serves a purpose, and completing these steps promptly keeps your transfer on track.
Edited by
Annali Janse Van Rensburg
Senior Editor
Annali is MyProperty's resident editor, responsible for producing trusted, accessible content that helps South Africans navigate every stage of their property journey.
1Your home loan application is finalised
If your purchase is subject to home loan approval, this is one of the first major steps after your Offer to Purchase has been accepted. Your bank will assess your application and, if approved, issue a formal home loan approval. The approval will usually include:
- The approved loan amount
- The applicable interest rate
- Any special conditions
- The repayment period
- Any requirements that must be met before registration
Read your loan approval carefully before accepting it — if anything is unclear, ask your bank or bond originator. Once you accept the offer, the bank appoints a bond registration attorney to register the mortgage bond over the property.
Tip: If you used a bond originator, they can help explain the bank’s offer and assist you throughout the home loan process.
2Understand the attorneys involved
Many first-time buyers are surprised to learn that more than one attorney may be involved. These attorneys work together to ensure that ownership and any mortgage bonds are registered simultaneously.
The transferring attorney
Usually appointed by the seller. Prepares the transfer documents, obtains the necessary clearances, lodges the transaction at the Deeds Office and transfers ownership from the seller to the buyer.
The bond registration attorney
Appointed by your bank if you’re financing the purchase with a home loan. Registers the mortgage bond in favour of the bank at the Deeds Office.
The cancellation attorney
Appointed by the seller’s bank if the seller still has an existing home loan over the property, to cancel that bond when the transfer takes place.
3Complete your FICA requirements
Before attorneys and financial institutions can proceed, they must comply with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), which helps prevent money laundering, terrorist financing and other financial crimes. As a buyer, you’ll usually be asked to provide documents that verify your identity and residential address, such as:
- A valid South African ID or passport
- Proof of residential address
- Income tax number (where required)
- Marriage certificate or antenuptial contract (if applicable)
- Company or trust documentation (if purchasing through a legal entity)
The exact documentation required may differ depending on the institution’s risk assessment and your circumstances. Providing your documents promptly helps avoid unnecessary delays.
4Sign the legal documents
During the transfer process, you’ll be asked to sign several legal documents. Your attorney will explain where to sign and answer any questions before the documents are submitted. These may include:
- Transfer documentation prepared by the transferring attorney
- Home loan documentation (if applicable)
- Bond registration documents
- FICA declarations
- Affidavits where required
- Transfer duty declarations (where applicable)
Take the time to read the documents carefully and ask questions if you’re unsure about anything.
5Pay the required costs
Before transfer can take place, certain costs usually need to be paid. The transferring attorney and bond attorney will provide detailed statements showing the amounts due and payment instructions. Depending on your transaction, these may include:
- Transfer costs
- Bond registration costs
- Transfer duty (where payable)
- Occupational rent (if applicable)
- Pro-rata municipal charges where applicable
Security tip: Never rely solely on emailed banking details — cybercriminals frequently target property transactions through email fraud. Always verify account details telephonically using trusted contact information before transferring funds.
6Help keep the transfer moving
Although much of the legal work happens behind the scenes, buyers can help prevent delays by responding quickly to requests from their attorneys, bank or bond originator. Common causes of delays include:
- Outstanding FICA documents
- Delays in signing documents
- Late payment of transfer or bond costs
- Outstanding municipal clearances
- Delays in bond approval
- Unfulfilled suspensive conditions
Common mistakes first-time buyers make
Delaying the submission of FICA documents
Ignoring emails from your attorney or bank
Paying money into an unverified bank account
Signing documents without understanding them
Missing important deadlines
Assuming transfer can happen before all legal requirements have been completed
Most delays can be avoided through good communication and prompt action.
Your Bond & FICA checklist
- Accepted your home loan offer (if applicable)
- Submitted all requested FICA documentation
- Signed all transfer and bond documents
- Paid your transfer and bond costs
- Verified attorney banking details independently
- Responded promptly to requests from your attorney
- Kept copies of all important documents
- Confirmed that all suspensive conditions have been fulfilled
Frequently asked questions
This guide is general information to help you understand the paperwork stage of a property transfer. It isn’t legal advice — for anything specific to your transaction, check with your attorney, bank or bond originator.
Next step
Transfer & registration: Officially becoming the owner
The paperwork is done and the attorneys are preparing to lodge. Now understand what happens at the Deeds Office, how registration works, and what to expect on the day you officially become the owner.
Still have questions?
This guide is general information to help you understand the paperwork stage — it isn’t legal advice. For an instant answer to your questions, ask our assistant. For a question about your own transaction, ask Cara directly.