Quick answer: “Transfer costs” are the total costs of legally transferring a property in South Africa. They typically include conveyancing fees, Deeds Office fees, transfer duty (if applicable), and admin costs. If a bond is involved, bond registration costs are usually additional.
Most people budget for the deposit and monthly bond repayment… and then the transfer costs arrive like an uninvited guest.
This page gives you a practical breakdown of what you pay, why you pay it, and how to estimate it quickly.
What is included in transfer costs?
- Conveyancing fees (the legal fee for the transferring attorney’s work)
- Deeds Office fees (statutory fees for registration)
- Transfer duty (a tax paid to SARS on transactions not subject to VAT)
- Postage and petties (admin and disbursements that support the transfer)
- Bank/bond-related costs (if a bond is registered or cancelled)
Who pays transfer costs in South Africa?
In most standard sales:
- The buyer pays the transfer costs (including transfer duty where applicable).
- The seller typically pays the estate agent’s commission and costs linked to getting the property ready for transfer (depending on the sale agreement).
Want the full breakdown with examples? Read: Who pays conveyancing fees and transfer costs?
A practical “transfer costs calculator” approach (without guesswork)
You can estimate costs quickly if you know:
- Purchase price
- Whether the transaction is subject to VAT or transfer duty
- Whether a bond is involved (new bond / cancellation / both)
- Whether it is sectional title (admin documents and clearances often add steps)
Next step: Use our transfer duty calculator and SARS rate table to estimate duty (where applicable).
Common cost traps (and how to avoid them)
- Budgeting too late: transfer costs are often payable before registration.
- Assuming “no transfer duty” applies: it depends on the price and tax treatment (VAT vs duty).
- Forgetting bond costs: bond registration/cancellation fees can be separate from transfer fees.
- Sectional title admin delays: managing agent documents and levy clearance can slow the timeline.
Get a precise transfer cost estimate (quote)
If you want a proper estimate (not a random number off the internet), send us:
- Purchase price
- Property details (address / erf)
- Your OTP / deed of sale
- Bond details (if any)
Contact us: https://www.sdlaw.co.za/contact/
FAQ
Conveyancing fees are typically calculated on a guideline scale linked to the property value, plus disbursements and statutory charges. We provide a transparent quote upfront.
No. Deeds Office fees are statutory fees payable for registration. They are part of the overall transfer costs.
This usually includes admin and disbursement items required to process and lodge documents. We list these clearly so you can see what you’re paying for.
No. It depends on the purchase price and whether the transaction is subject to VAT. We help you confirm the correct treatment.
Disclaimer: This page is general information and not legal advice. Costs depend on the facts and the transaction structure.