Property Transfer Cost Calculator
Estimate the full cost of transferring a property in South Africa - including transfer duty, conveyancing attorney fees, deed office levies, and bond registration costs.
Understanding Transfer Costs
Transfer Duty
Transfer duty is a government tax paid to SARS when property is purchased. Properties valued under R1,210,000 are exempt from transfer duty. Above this threshold, a progressive tax applies, ranging from 3% to 13% depending on the purchase price.
Conveyancing Attorney Fees
Conveyancing attorneys handle the legal transfer of property into your name. Their fees are generally based on recommended fee guidelines from the Legal Practice Council, calculated on a sliding scale according to the purchase price. VAT at 15% applies to these fees and most disbursements.
Bond Registration Costs
If you are taking out a home loan, a separate bond registration attorney (appointed by the bank) will register the mortgage bond over the property. Their fees are also on a regulated scale based on the loan amount. Banks may charge a bond initiation fee when granting the home loan. This fee is regulated under the National Credit Act and is typically capped at around R6,000, depending on the loan amount.
Rates & Other Costs
Before transfer, the seller must provide a rates clearance certificate confirming all municipal rates are paid up. You may also owe a pro-rata portion of rates and levies from the registration date to the end of the period. These amounts vary by property and municipality -the figures shown are estimates.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Fee schedules are based on published Law Society guidelines and current SARS transfer duty tables. Actual costs will vary -please obtain a formal quotation from your conveyancing attorney.
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