What Are Conveyancing Fees?
When buying or selling property in South Africa, conveyancing fees are an essential cost to consider. Many buyers and sellers often wonder: Who is responsible for paying these fees? Understanding the financial responsibilities in a property transaction can help both parties plan accordingly and avoid unexpected costs.
At Burger Huyser Attorneys, we specialise in conveyancing and property law, ensuring that all legal aspects of a property transfer are handled efficiently. In this blog, we explain who pays conveyancing fees in South Africa and what these costs include.
Conveyancing fees are the legal costs associated with the transfer of property ownership from the seller to the buyer. These fees cover the services of a conveyancing attorney, who ensures that the transfer is legally valid and correctly registered at the Deeds Office.
Conveyancing fees are separate from other costs such as:
✔ Transfer duty (a tax payable to SARS for properties above R1,100,000).
✔ Bond registration fees (if the buyer is financing the purchase with a home loan).
✔ Municipal clearance and compliance certificates.
Who Pays Conveyancing Fees in South Africa?
In South Africa, the buyer is responsible for paying most of the conveyancing fees. However, there are also legal costs that the seller must cover. Let’s break it down:
1. Buyer’s Responsibilities
The buyer is responsible for the following conveyancing-related costs:
✅ Transfer Fees – These are paid to the conveyancer to handle the legal process of transferring ownership from the seller to the buyer.
✅ Transfer Duty – If the property is worth more than R1,100,000, the buyer must pay transfer duty to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
✅ Deeds Office Fees – Charged by the Deeds Office for registering the property in the buyer’s name.
✅ Bond Registration Fees – If the buyer takes out a home loan, they must pay the bank’s appointed bond attorney to register the bond.
✅ Pro-rata Rates & Taxes – The buyer may need to pay a portion of the rates, taxes, or levies in advance.
2. Seller’s Responsibilities
While the buyer covers most legal fees, the seller also has financial responsibilities, including:
✅ Estate Agent’s Commission – If the seller used a real estate agent, they must pay the agent’s commission (usually 5%–7.5% of the sale price).
✅ Bond Cancellation Fees – If the seller has an existing home loan, they must pay a bond attorney to cancel the bond at the Deeds Office.
✅ Municipal Clearance Certificate Fees – The seller must settle all outstanding rates, taxes, and utilities before the municipality issues a clearance certificate.
✅ Compliance Certificates – The seller is required to provide certificates for:
Electrical Compliance
Beetle/Pest Inspection (for properties in coastal areas)
Plumbing Compliance (for properties in certain municipalities)
Gas Compliance (if applicable)
Why Does the Buyer Pay the Transfer Costs?
The legal responsibility for transfer fees falls on the buyer because they are the new owner who requires the title deed to be registered in their name. Without paying these fees, the property cannot be transferred, and the sale cannot be completed.
Similarly, the seller pays bond cancellation costs because they must settle their home loan before transferring ownership to the buyer.
How Much Are Conveyancing Fees?
Conveyancing fees are not fixed and depend on the property’s value. The higher the purchase price, the higher the conveyancing fees. Typically, these fees range from R5,000 to R60,000 or more, depending on the transaction.
At Burger Huyser Attorneys, we provide transparent pricing and a detailed breakdown of conveyancing fees, ensuring our clients understand all costs involved.
Need a Reliable Conveyancing Attorney? Contact Burger Huyser Attorneys Today.
Whether you’re buying or selling property, our expert conveyancing attorneys at Burger Huyser Attorneys are ready to assist you. Call us today for professional conveyancing services. Let Burger Huyser Attorneys handle your property transaction with professionalism, efficiency, and expertise.
Contact Burger Huyser Attorneys, and book a consultation.
To speak to one of our experienced attorneys in South Africa for immediate assistance, contact us on the numbers below:
Randburg call 061 516 6878; Roodepoort call 061 516 0091; Sandton call 064 555 3358;  Pretoria call 064 548 4838;
Centurion call 061 516 7117; Alberton call 061 515 4699; Bedfordview call 061 536 3223
DISCLAIMER: Information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to constitute legal advice. READ MORE
