[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-how-conveyancing-works":3},{"id":4,"uid":5,"site":6,"slug":7,"title":8,"excerpt":9,"body":10,"category":11,"tags":12,"meta_title":13,"meta_description":14,"conversion_code":12,"schema_type":15,"status":16,"featured":17,"sort_order":18,"created_at":19,"updated_at":20,"related":21,"breadcrumbs":60},20,"24f5accb-fe8a-2574-2afc-b4f8ce60de78","deedscheck","how-conveyancing-works","How Conveyancing Works in South Africa","Conveyancing is the specialised legal work of transferring property ownership in South Africa. Here is what conveyancers do and how the engagement works.","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Conveyancing\u003C\u002Fstrong> is the specialised legal work of transferring registered property from one owner to another. It's a regulated profession — only attorneys who have qualified as conveyancers and been admitted by the High Court can do it — and it's a mandatory part of every property transfer in South Africa. You can't legally transfer a property without a conveyancer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>This article covers what conveyancers do, who pays for what, how to choose one, and what costs to expect. For the chronological steps of a transfer (offer, registration, the deeds office processing), see our companion article on the \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fresources\u002Fproperty-transfer-process\">property transfer process\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Who can be a conveyancer\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>A conveyancer is an attorney with additional qualifications:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>Holds an LLB or equivalent legal qualification\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Has been admitted as an attorney by the High Court\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Has passed the Conveyancing Examination administered by the Legal Practice Council\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Is registered as a conveyancer with the Legal Practice Council\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Cp>Only conveyancers can sign the documents that the deeds office accepts for registration of transfers, bonds, sectional title schemes, and other registry-changing transactions. Ordinary attorneys can advise on property matters but can't sign the deeds-office documents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>What conveyancers do in a typical sale\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>When a property is sold, three conveyancers are usually involved:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>The transferring conveyancer\u003C\u002Fstrong> — typically chosen by the seller. Handles the transfer of the property from seller to buyer. Drafts the deed of transfer, lodges it at the deeds office, attends to all the necessary clearances and certificates.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>The bond cancellation conveyancer\u003C\u002Fstrong> — instructed by the seller's bank (if there's a bond on the property being sold). Cancels the existing bond at the deeds office, releasing the bank's claim.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>The bond registration conveyancer\u003C\u002Fstrong> — instructed by the buyer's bank (if the buyer is using bond finance). Registers the new bond at the deeds office in favour of the buyer's bank.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Cp>All three must coordinate so that everything registers simultaneously — the transfer, the old bond cancellation, and the new bond registration all happen on the same day at the deeds office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>The transferring conveyancer's checklist\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>What the transferring conveyancer actually does between offer-and-signed and registration-complete:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>Receives and reviews the signed deed of sale\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Confirms the seller is the registered owner via a deeds-registry search\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Checks for any restrictive title conditions, servitudes, or endorsements affecting the property\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Obtains compliance certificates (electrical, gas, beetle, plumbing — required by the deed of sale)\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Obtains the municipal rates clearance certificate\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Calculates and collects transfer duty from the buyer\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Pays the transfer duty to SARS and obtains the Transfer Duty Receipt (TDR)\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>If applicable, obtains the body corporate's levy clearance certificate (for sectional title) or homeowners' association clearance\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Drafts the transfer documents and arranges for both parties to sign\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Coordinates with the bond cancellation and bond registration conveyancers\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Lodges the transfer at the deeds office\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Attends to any deeds-office queries during examination\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Once registered, distributes the purchase price to the seller and any other claimants\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Cp>Most of this happens behind the scenes; you'll deal with the conveyancer mainly for document signing and questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Who chooses the conveyancer and who pays\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>By convention in South Africa:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>The seller chooses the transferring conveyancer.\u003C\u002Fstrong> They typically use a conveyancer they know or one suggested by their estate agent.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>The buyer pays the transferring conveyancer's fees.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Yes — the buyer pays the conveyancer chosen by the seller. This convention is so well-established it's rarely negotiated, though it can be in unusual cases.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>The seller's bank chooses the bond cancellation conveyancer.\u003C\u002Fstrong> The seller pays the cancellation fees.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>The buyer's bank chooses the bond registration conveyancer.\u003C\u002Fstrong> The buyer pays the registration fees.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Cp>The buyer effectively pays two conveyancers (the transferring conveyancer and the bond registration conveyancer); the seller pays only one (the bond cancellation conveyancer). For most transfers this works out to roughly comparable per-side costs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>What conveyancing costs\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>Conveyancing fees are largely tariff-based — there's a recommended fee scale published by the Legal Practice Council, and most conveyancers charge close to the scale though some discount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>Rough indicative costs for a typical R2M residential transfer:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Transferring conveyancer's fee:\u003C\u002Fstrong> R20,000–R30,000 (paid by buyer)\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Bond cancellation conveyancer's fee:\u003C\u002Fstrong> R3,000–R5,000 (paid by seller)\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Bond registration conveyancer's fee:\u003C\u002Fstrong> R20,000–R30,000 (paid by buyer)\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Deeds office registration fees:\u003C\u002Fstrong> R1,500–R3,000 per registration (transfer, bond cancellation, bond registration)\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Sundry disbursements:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Pretoria search fees, Lightstone valuation, document collection, postage and couriers — typically R500–R2,000\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Cp>These are in addition to \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fresources\u002Ftransfer-duty-rates\">transfer duty\u003C\u002Fa> and other transfer costs. Your conveyancer will give you a detailed quote upfront — ask for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>How to choose a conveyancer\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>If you have any choice (typically the seller chooses, but buyers sometimes have input):\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Specialist conveyancing firm vs general attorney.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Both can do the work. Specialist firms tend to be faster and have higher-volume processes; general attorneys may give more personal attention.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Local to the property.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Conveyancers near the property are typically familiar with the local deeds office and local quirks.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Track record with the bank.\u003C\u002Fstrong> If the bond is with a specific bank, conveyancers experienced with that bank's processes are usually smoother.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Communication style.\u003C\u002Fstrong> You'll be dealing with them for 2-3 months. Pick someone responsive to your questions.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Fee transparency.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Ask for a detailed quote upfront covering fees and likely disbursements.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch2>What goes wrong (and when conveyancers earn their fees)\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>Most transfers proceed smoothly. When they don't, common issues include:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>Hidden restrictive conditions that affect what the buyer plans to do\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Sectional title schemes with arrears or special-levy issues\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Municipal rates disputes affecting the clearance certificate\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Deeds office queries during examination requiring rework\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Seller failing to deliver compliance certificates on time\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Buyer's bond approval delays or last-minute changes\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Sectional title body corporate disputes over the levy clearance\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Cp>A good conveyancer anticipates these and works around them; a bad one lets them stretch the transfer timeline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Frequently asked questions\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Ch3>Can I do my own conveyancing?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>No. South African law requires a registered conveyancer to lodge transfer documents at the deeds office. You can't self-represent for the registration step, though you can do your own pre-purchase due diligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>Why does the buyer pay the seller's conveyancer?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Long-standing market convention. It's been the practice for decades and is built into the standard deed of sale wording. It's negotiable in principle but rarely changed in practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>How long does conveyancing take?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>End-to-end from offer-to-purchase to registered transfer averages 8-12 weeks. Most of that is non-conveyancer waiting (bond approval, body corporate clearances, deeds office examination). The conveyancer's own work is usually 4-6 weeks of active engagement spread across that period.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>What's the difference between a conveyancing attorney and a property attorney?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>A conveyancing attorney is specifically qualified to lodge property registrations at the deeds office. A property attorney may advise on property law generally (leases, disputes, development) but can't do conveyancing without the additional qualification. Many conveyancers do both.\u003C\u002Fp>","Guides",null,"Conveyancing in South Africa — What Conveyancers Do & What It Costs","Conveyancing is the legal work of transferring property ownership. What conveyancers do, who pays, how to choose one, and what it costs.","Article","published",false,12,"2026-04-08 07:56:13","2026-05-27 10:49:20",[22,34,49],{"id":23,"uid":24,"site":6,"slug":25,"title":26,"excerpt":27,"body":28,"category":11,"tags":12,"meta_title":29,"meta_description":30,"conversion_code":12,"schema_type":15,"status":16,"featured":17,"sort_order":31,"created_at":32,"updated_at":33},8,"bbdb1b7f-8064-ead6-8386-3c4bb0f205c3","what-is-a-title-deed","How to Get a Copy of Your Title Deed in South Africa","You can order a copy of any South African title deed online, without visiting a Deeds Office. Here is exactly how the two-step process works and what it costs.","\u003Cp>You do not need to queue at a Deeds Office to get a copy of a title deed. Whether you have lost your own, need one for a sale or bond, or want to see the deed on a property before you buy, you can order it online and have the PDF in hand the same day. Here is exactly how it works on DeedsCheck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>What you need to find the deed\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>You can locate a property's title deed from any one of these:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>The \u003Cstrong>street address\u003C\u002Fstrong>;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>The \u003Cstrong>owner's name\u003C\u002Fstrong>; or\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>The \u003Cstrong>erf (or section) number\u003C\u002Fstrong> — see \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fresources\u002Funderstanding-erf-numbers\">understanding erf numbers\u003C\u002Fa> if you are not sure what yours is.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>You do not need the title deed number itself — the search finds it for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Step 1 — Confirm the deed is on file (from R55)\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Start with a \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fproducts\u002Fproperty-document-search\">Property Document Search\u003C\u002Fa>. For R55 it returns the list of registry documents recorded against the property — including the title deed — so you know the exact document is available \u003Cem>before\u003C\u002Fem> you pay to retrieve it. This is the step that saves you ordering a document that turns out not to be on file.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good to know: the R55 you pay here is \u003Cstrong>credited toward your title deed copy\u003C\u002Fstrong>, so the search is not an extra cost — it is the first part of the same order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Step 2 — Order your title deed copy (R640)\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Once the search confirms the deed is available, order the \u003Cstrong>Title Deed Copy\u003C\u002Fstrong> (R640). You receive the actual title deed as a PDF — the same document the Deeds Office holds — delivered as soon as payment clears. No appointment, no collection, no waiting for the post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Why people order it here instead of going in person\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The official route exists, but it means registering for an account, working through a conveyancer-oriented portal, and waiting. DeedsCheck is built for the person who just wants the document:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Instant\u003C\u002Fstrong> — delivered on payment, not in days;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>No login or registration\u003C\u002Fstrong> — search, pay, download;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Plain English\u003C\u002Fstrong> — no legal jargon or registry codes to decode;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>One price, all fees included\u003C\u002Fstrong> — registry retrieval costs are built in, paid securely by card or EFT.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch2>When you will need a copy\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>A copy of the title deed is usually needed when you sell, register or cancel a bond, wind up a deceased estate, resolve a boundary or servitude question, or simply replace one you have mislaid. In each case the conditions recorded on the deed — servitudes, restrictions, the exact property description — are what matter, so having the actual document rather than a summary is what counts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Get your copy now\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Search the property and confirm the deed in under a minute: \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fproducts\u002Fproperty-document-search\">start a Property Document Search\u003C\u002Fa>, then order the copy. You can also look up \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fresources\u002Fcheck-property-ownership\">who owns a property\u003C\u002Fa> or check the \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fresources\u002Fproperty-transfer-process\">transfer history\u003C\u002Fa> while you are there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Frequently asked questions\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ch3>How much does a copy of a title deed cost?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>The title deed copy is R640. You first run a Property Document Search (R55) to confirm the deed is on file, and that R55 is credited toward the copy, so the search is not an additional charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>How long does it take to get the copy?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>It is delivered as a PDF as soon as your payment clears — usually within minutes. There is no appointment or collection step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>Do I need the title deed number to order one?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>No. You can search by street address, owner name or erf number, and the search finds the title deed for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>Is the online copy the same as the one from the Deeds Office?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Yes. You receive the same registered title deed document that the Deeds Office holds, delivered to you as a PDF.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>Can I get a copy of someone else's title deed?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Yes. Title deed information is part of the public deeds record, so you can order a copy for any property — which is exactly why buyers check a deed before making an offer.\u003C\u002Fp>","How to Get a Copy of Your Title Deed Online (from R55)","Get a copy of any South African title deed online — no Deeds Office visit and no login. Confirm it is on file from R55, then download the title deed as a PDF.",0,"2026-03-27 07:56:13","2026-06-18 05:48:47",{"id":35,"uid":36,"site":37,"slug":38,"title":39,"excerpt":40,"body":41,"category":42,"tags":12,"meta_title":39,"meta_description":43,"conversion_code":12,"schema_type":44,"status":16,"featured":45,"sort_order":46,"created_at":47,"updated_at":48},6,"68b0fb33-3b5d-2158-16c2-61070373c9cf","deedsweb","buying-property-sa","Buying Property in South Africa: A Step-by-Step Guide","Buying a home in South Africa is a structured legal process with several moving parts. This guide walks through it step by step — from budget to the day the property registers in your name.","\u003Cp>Buying property in South Africa is exciting, but it is also a structured legal process with several parties, a fair amount of paperwork, and costs that catch first-time buyers by surprise. The good news is that the process is well-established and predictable once you understand the steps. This guide walks through the whole journey in plain English — from working out what you can afford to the day the property is registered in your name — and points out where a little homework can save you a lot of money and stress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Step 1: Work out what you can really afford\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Before you look at a single listing, get clear on your budget. Affordability is not just the purchase price — it is the deposit, the monthly bond repayment, and the upfront costs of buying (covered below). Banks assess affordability against your income, expenses and credit record.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is worth getting \u003Cstrong>bond pre-approval\u003C\u002Fstrong> before you start house-hunting. A pre-approval tells you what a bank is likely to lend, so you shop in the right price band and can move quickly with a credible offer. A deposit is not always required — 100% bonds exist — but a deposit lowers your repayments and strengthens your application.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Step 2: Find the right property — and check it before you fall in love\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>When you find a property, look past the photos. Two things matter that a listing will not tell you:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>What kind of ownership it is.\u003C\u002Fstrong> A freehold house sits on its own \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fproperty-types\u002Ferf\">erf\u003C\u002Fa>; a flat or townhouse in a complex is \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fproperty-types\u002Fsectional-title\">sectional title\u003C\u002Fa>, which means levies and a body corporate. The difference changes your monthly costs and what you may do with the property.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>What the deeds record says.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Who actually owns it, whether there is a bond registered over it, and how often it has changed hands are all part of the public deeds record. Checking this before you make an offer is the single most useful piece of due diligence a buyer can do — you can look up a property's owner, \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fguides\u002Fproperty-bonds-explained\">bond\u003C\u002Fa> and transfer history online via \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.deedscheck.co.za\">DeedsCheck\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Where the boundaries actually run.\u003C\u002Fstrong> The surveyed extent, boundaries and any servitudes are defined on the property's Surveyor General (SG) diagram — worth checking if a fence line, the erf size or a right of way across the land matters to you. You can look up and download the SG diagram for any property at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sgcheck.co.za\">SGCheck\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch2>Step 3: Make an offer (the Offer to Purchase)\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>An offer in South Africa is made in writing through an \u003Cstrong>Offer to Purchase (OTP)\u003C\u002Fstrong>. This is not a casual expression of interest — once signed by both parties it becomes a binding sale agreement, so read it carefully before you sign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most offers include \u003Cstrong>suspensive conditions\u003C\u002Fstrong> — things that must happen for the sale to go ahead, most commonly that you obtain a bond within a set number of days, and sometimes the sale of your existing home. If a suspensive condition is not met, the sale falls away. The OTP also records the price, the deposit, the occupation date, and who pays occupational rent if you move in before transfer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Step 4: Apply for your bond\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Unless you are buying cash, your next step is the home loan. You can apply to banks directly or use a bond originator who submits one application to several banks on your behalf. The bank values the property and, if approved, issues a grant. The loan and the \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fguides\u002Fproperty-bonds-explained\">bond\u003C\u002Fa> (the security the bank registers over the property) are arranged together but are legally different things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Step 5: The transfer process\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Once the offer is firm and the bond is approved, the legal transfer begins. This is handled by conveyancing attorneys, and it is where most of the waiting happens. In short, three attorneys may be involved — one transferring the property, one registering your new bond, and one cancelling the seller's existing bond — and they lodge at the Deeds Office together. The full sequence, and why it takes the time it does, is covered in our guide to \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fguides\u002Fproperty-transfer-explained\">the property transfer process\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expect transfer to take roughly eight to twelve weeks. Most delays are not at the Deeds Office but before it — bond approval, rates clearance from the municipality, and gathering the necessary certificates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Step 6: Budget for the costs of buying\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The price on the listing is not the whole story. Budget for these upfront costs, which are typically paid before registration:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Transfer duty\u003C\u002Fstrong> — a tax payable to SARS on property purchases above a threshold, charged on a sliding scale (lower-value homes below the threshold pay none). New homes bought from a developer are usually subject to VAT instead.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Conveyancing (transfer) fees\u003C\u002Fstrong> — the transferring attorney's fee, on a recommended tariff that rises with the purchase price.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Bond registration costs\u003C\u002Fstrong> — the bond attorney's fee plus the cost of registering the bond, if you are financing.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Deposit\u003C\u002Fstrong> — if your offer included one.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Rates and levies\u003C\u002Fstrong> — the seller must obtain a rates clearance, and you may need to fund a few months in advance; sectional title buyers also budget for levies.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>Because transfer duty thresholds and tariffs change from year to year, confirm the current figures with your attorney or bank when you buy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Step 7: Registration — you become the owner\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>You do not become the owner when your offer is accepted, or even when you pay — you become the owner on the day the Registrar of Deeds \u003Cstrong>registers\u003C\u002Fstrong> the transfer into your name. At that moment ownership passes, your bond is registered, and a new \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fguides\u002Ftitle-deeds-explained\">title deed\u003C\u002Fa> in your name comes into existence. The property is registered at the \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fdeeds-offices\">deeds office\u003C\u002Fa> that covers its area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Common pitfalls to avoid\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Signing the OTP without reading the conditions.\u003C\u002Fstrong> It is binding — understand the suspensive conditions and dates before you sign.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Underbudgeting for costs.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Transfer duty and attorney fees can add a meaningful amount on top of the price.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Skipping due diligence.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Confirm who owns the property and what is registered over it before you commit.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Ignoring the ownership type.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Sectional title levies and conduct rules are part of the deal; factor them in.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch2>A quick pre-purchase checklist\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Get bond pre-approval so you know your budget.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Confirm whether it is freehold or sectional title.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Check the property's owner, bond and transfer history on the deeds record via \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.deedscheck.co.za\">DeedsCheck\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Read the Offer to Purchase and its suspensive conditions carefully.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Budget for transfer duty, conveyancing and bond costs on top of the price.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch2>Frequently asked questions\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ch3>When do I officially become the owner of a property in South Africa?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>On the day the Registrar of Deeds registers the transfer into your name — not when your offer is accepted or when you pay. Registration is the legal moment ownership passes and your new title deed is created.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>How long does it take to buy a house?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>From accepted offer to registration is usually about eight to twelve weeks. Most of the time goes on bond approval and gathering rates clearance and other certificates, rather than on the Deeds Office itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>What are the main costs of buying property?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>On top of the purchase price you typically pay transfer duty (a SARS tax above a threshold, or VAT on new developer homes), conveyancing fees, and — if you are financing — bond registration costs, plus a deposit and advance rates or levies. Figures change yearly, so confirm them when you buy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>Should I check the deeds record before making an offer?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Yes. The owner, any registered bond, and the transfer history are part of the public deeds record. Checking them before you offer confirms you are dealing with the real owner and reveals how the property has changed hands. You can look this up online instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>Is an Offer to Purchase binding?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Yes. Once both parties sign, the Offer to Purchase is a binding sale agreement, subject to any suspensive conditions in it (such as obtaining a bond). Read it carefully before signing.\u003C\u002Fp>","guides","A plain-English, step-by-step guide to buying property in South Africa: budgeting, the offer to purchase, bonds, transfer, costs, and the checks to do before you buy.","HowTo",true,1,"2026-04-14 06:10:16","2026-06-19 06:39:59",{"id":50,"uid":51,"site":6,"slug":52,"title":53,"excerpt":54,"body":55,"category":11,"tags":12,"meta_title":56,"meta_description":57,"conversion_code":12,"schema_type":15,"status":16,"featured":17,"sort_order":58,"created_at":59,"updated_at":33},10,"49199d9d-7e9c-0b3d-dfc2-cc7e9c7e3780","understanding-erf-numbers","How to Search for a Property by Erf Number","If you have a property's erf number, you can pull its owner, title deed and transfer history online — no street address and no Deeds Office visit needed.","\u003Cp>An erf number is all you need to look up a property's official records. If you have it from a rates account, a listing or a title deed but do not have the owner's details, a quick search returns the registered owner, the title deed and the transfer history. Here is how to do it on DeedsCheck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>What you need before you search\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Two things:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>The \u003Cstrong>erf number\u003C\u002Fstrong>; and\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>The \u003Cstrong>township or suburb\u003C\u002Fstrong> it falls in.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>The suburb matters because erf numbers repeat — every township has its own Erf 1 — so the number on its own is ambiguous. If you are unsure what an erf number is or where to find one, see \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fresources\u002Funderstanding-erf-numbers\">understanding erf numbers\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>How the search works\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Enter the erf number and suburb in the search box. DeedsCheck matches it against the deeds registry and returns the property. From there you can order a full \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fproducts\u002Fproperty-search\">Property Search Report\u003C\u002Fa> (R225), which gives you:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>the \u003Cstrong>registered owner\u003C\u002Fstrong>;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>the \u003Cstrong>title deed\u003C\u002Fstrong> details;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>any \u003Cstrong>bond\u003C\u002Fstrong> registered over the property; and\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>the \u003Cstrong>transfer history\u003C\u002Fstrong> — past sales and dates.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch2>Why search by erf number?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>It is the most reliable way to identify a property when you do not have a clean address — an erf from a municipal bill, a sectional scheme document, or a development's general plan. Because the erf number is the property's fixed legal identity, an erf search lands on exactly the right record rather than guessing between similar street addresses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Why people use DeedsCheck for it\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The official registry can return the same data, but it means an account, a conveyancer-oriented portal and a wait. DeedsCheck is built for a quick answer:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Instant\u003C\u002Fstrong> — results on screen, report delivered on payment;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>No login or registration\u003C\u002Fstrong> — search, pay, download;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Plain English\u003C\u002Fstrong> — owner, bond and history laid out, not raw registry codes;\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>One price, all fees included\u003C\u002Fstrong> — paid securely by card or EFT.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch2>Search now\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Have the erf number and suburb ready? \u003Ca href=\"\u002F\">Search the property now\u003C\u002Fa>, or check \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fresources\u002Fcheck-property-ownership\">who owns a property\u003C\u002Fa> and its \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fresources\u002Fproperty-transfer-process\">transfer history\u003C\u002Fa> while you are there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Frequently asked questions\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ch3>Can I find a property owner with just an erf number?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Yes — together with the suburb or township. Enter both and order a Property Search Report to see the registered owner and the property's deeds records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>Why do I need the suburb as well as the erf number?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Erf numbers are only unique within a township, and every township has its own Erf 1. The suburb tells the search which township's erf you mean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>What does an erf-number search cost?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Searching is free; you pay only when you order a report. The Property Search Report — owner, bond and transfer history — is R225, with all registry fees included.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>What if I have the address but not the erf number?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>You can search by address instead and the result includes the erf number, so either route gets you to the same record.\u003C\u002Fp>","How to Search Property by Erf Number — Owner & Deeds Records","Have an erf number but no address? Look up the registered owner, title deed and transfer history of any SA property by erf number — instantly, no login.",2,"2026-03-29 07:56:13",[61,64,66],{"label":62,"url":63},"Home","\u002F",{"label":11,"url":65},"\u002Fguides",{"label":8,"url":12}]