Practical guide
Property Transfer Costs in South Africa
The cash needed to buy a property can be higher than the deposit. Transfer duty, legal fees, Deeds Office charges and bond registration costs may need to be paid separately.
Fact checked and updated 13 September 2026
Transfer duty
For transactions not subject to VAT, SARS applies progressive transfer duty rates. From 1 April 2026 the first R1 210 000 of property value falls in the zero-rate band, with increasing rates above that threshold.
Professional and registration costs
The transferring attorney, bond attorney and Deeds Office can charge separate amounts. Quotes can also include VAT, postage, electronic fees and rates clearance work. Ask for itemised written estimates.
Avoid a deposit-only budget
Calculate purchase-related cash before making an offer. Confirm whether the transaction includes VAT, whether a bond is required and which costs may be financed or must be paid before registration.
Use the related calculators
Apply the explanation above with your own figures. Open a calculator below, check every input and review the result assumptions before making a decision.
Official source checked
This guide was checked against SARS 2026 Budget Tax Guide. Rules, rates and institutional requirements can change, so confirm time-sensitive information at the official source.