[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-sectional-title-vs-freehold":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":59},14,"64e07f71-4e0c-21af-160c-7f308dac669b","deedscheck","sectional-title-vs-freehold","Sectional Title vs Freehold Property — Comparison Guide","Sectional title and freehold are the two main ways to own residential property in South Africa. Here is how they differ and which suits which buyer.","\u003Cp>If you're buying residential property in South Africa, you'll be choosing between \u003Cstrong>sectional title\u003C\u002Fstrong> (apartments, townhouses, cluster homes) and \u003Cstrong>freehold\u003C\u002Fstrong> (standalone houses on their own erf). Both are legitimate full-ownership models; both come with their own benefits and trade-offs. This guide compares them so you can pick what suits you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>For the underlying mechanics of each, see our deedsweb articles on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdeedsweb.org\u002Fproperty-types\u002Fsectional-title\">sectional title\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdeedsweb.org\u002Fproperty-types\u002Ferf\">erf \u002F freehold\u003C\u002Fa>. This page focuses on the practical buyer-side comparison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>What you own\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Freehold:\u003C\u002Fstrong> The land (the erf) plus everything permanently built on it. The whole property is yours — house, garden, walls, driveway. You're the only person with a registered interest in the property (other than your bondholder, if any).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Sectional title:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Your individual unit (apartment or townhouse interior) plus an undivided share of the common property (gardens, parking, hallways). The common property is jointly owned with every other unit owner in the scheme, managed by the body corporate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Monthly cost comparison\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Freehold:\u003C\u002Fstrong> You pay municipal rates, water, electricity, and any private maintenance directly. No monthly \"membership fee\" or shared building cost — but no shared cost-saving either. All upkeep is on you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Sectional title:\u003C\u002Fstrong> You pay your share of building running costs through a monthly levy (typically R1,500–R10,000+ depending on the scheme and unit size). The levy covers insurance, security, common property maintenance, garden services, and a contribution to the reserve fund. Some schemes also bill utilities through the levy; others meter individually. Plus municipal rates on your unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>Whether sectional title is cheaper or more expensive than freehold depends entirely on the scheme and the freehold property — there's no general rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Maintenance and repairs\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Freehold:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Your responsibility entirely. Roof, walls, plumbing, electrical, garden — when it breaks, you fix it (or pay someone). Full control, full cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Sectional title:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Inside the unit, your responsibility. Common property (building structure, lifts, gardens, security) is the body corporate's responsibility, funded by the levy. Shared cost, shared decision-making — for better and worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Decisions you can make alone\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Freehold:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Almost everything within municipal building rules. Repaint, renovate, plant a tree, install a pool — these are your calls. Some restrictive title conditions may apply but generally you have wide autonomy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Sectional title:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Inside the unit, broadly yes — repaint, renovate fittings, change carpets. Anything affecting common property (external walls, plumbing into other units, balcony alterations) needs body corporate approval. Conduct rules may limit pets, short-term letting, decoration, noise, even what colour your curtains can be when seen from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Security and amenities\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Freehold:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Whatever you build yourself. Security walls, alarms, beams — your choice and your cost. Amenities like a pool or gym are also up to you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Sectional title:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Schemes commonly bundle 24-hour security, access control, communal pool, gym, garden services, sometimes concierge. The cost is in the levy; the trade-off is you can't opt out of paying for amenities you don't use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Rental and resale\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Freehold:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Generally easier to rent — no body corporate to limit short-term letting, no conduct rules constraining tenants. Resale is straightforward; the buyer pool is anyone in the market for a house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Sectional title:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Renting may be constrained by scheme rules (some prohibit Airbnb, some limit tenant types). Resale is straightforward but the buyer pool is anyone in the market for a sectional title unit — and sectional title resale depends heavily on the body corporate's financial health, which buyers check via the body corporate's recent financials. A scheme with significant levy arrears or special-levy history is harder to sell into.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Risks unique to sectional title\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Special levies.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Major unexpected expenses (roof replacement, structural repair, lift overhaul) trigger special levies — one-off amounts that can be substantial (R10,000s+).\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Body corporate dysfunction.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Schemes with poor management, bickering trustees, or chronic levy arrears get harder to live in and harder to sell out of.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Conduct disputes.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Neighbours and trustees can become adversaries — the rules are enforced, and disputes can escalate to formal arbitration or court.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch2>Risks unique to freehold\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>All maintenance on you.\u003C\u002Fstrong> A roof leak, a burst geyser, a tree-fall — you pay and arrange the fix.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Security depends on you.\u003C\u002Fstrong> If the area deteriorates, you need to upgrade your own security at your own cost.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Garden and property upkeep is full-time.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Even a small garden needs ongoing work.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch2>Which suits which buyer\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>Generalisations only — your situation matters most. But broadly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Sectional title tends to suit:\u003C\u002Fstrong> first-time buyers (lower entry cost than freehold in the same area); singles or couples without kids; people who travel a lot (lock up and leave); investors wanting a low-maintenance rental; retirees wanting amenities without garden work; anyone who values security at scale and doesn't want to manage a property hands-on.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Freehold tends to suit:\u003C\u002Fstrong> families wanting space and a garden; pet owners wanting freedom; anyone wanting to make significant alterations or renovations; investors wanting development-rezoning potential; people who prefer autonomy and don't mind the maintenance burden.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch2>Searching either type on DeedsCheck\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>Both types search the same way — by address, by erf number, or by map. A Property Search Report returns ownership and history for either. For sectional title specifically, the report identifies the scheme name, scheme number, unit number, and the underlying erf — useful for verifying you've found the right unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Frequently asked questions\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Ch3>Is freehold always more expensive than sectional title?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>No general rule. A small old apartment in Sea Point might cost more than a freehold townhouse in a less-fashionable suburb. Compare like with like — area, condition, size — rather than ownership type alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>Can I convert sectional title into freehold or vice versa?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Converting a scheme to freehold (de-sectionalising) is legally possible but practically rare — every unit owner has to consent and the building has to be reconfigured. Converting freehold into sectional title is also possible (opening a new scheme) and slightly more common when developers buy and split houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>Are cluster homes sectional title or freehold?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Usually sectional title, but check. Some \"cluster\" or \"townhouse\" developments are full freehold properties grouped in an estate (often called HOA — Homeowners Association); others are sectional title with shared common property. The mechanics differ; read the title deed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>What's the deeds-office difference?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>None operationally — the same office handles both. Sectional title transfers include the scheme-related documents; freehold transfers are simpler. The same registry mechanics apply.\u003C\u002Fp>","Guides",null,"Sectional Title vs Freehold — Which Is Better? Comparison Guide","Sectional title and freehold are South Africa's two main residential ownership types. How they differ, what they cost, and which suits which buyer.","Article","published",false,6,"2026-04-02 07:56:13","2026-05-27 10:49:19",[22,34,48],{"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":18,"uid":35,"site":36,"slug":37,"title":38,"excerpt":39,"body":40,"category":41,"tags":12,"meta_title":38,"meta_description":42,"conversion_code":12,"schema_type":43,"status":16,"featured":44,"sort_order":45,"created_at":46,"updated_at":47},"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":49,"uid":50,"site":6,"slug":51,"title":52,"excerpt":53,"body":54,"category":11,"tags":12,"meta_title":55,"meta_description":56,"conversion_code":12,"schema_type":15,"status":16,"featured":17,"sort_order":57,"created_at":58,"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",[60,63,65],{"label":61,"url":62},"Home","\u002F",{"label":11,"url":64},"\u002Fguides",{"label":8,"url":12}]