Question 1

Why is the fee R20,000 regardless of purchase price?

Accepted Answer

The fee reflects the actual legal work involved in a standard residential transfer. The work is the same whether the property costs R500,000 or R5 million. Tariff-based fees scale with purchase price, meaning you pay more for identical work on a more expensive property. Our fixed fee removes that artificial escalation.

Question 2

Does R20,000 include VAT?

Accepted Answer

Yes. R20,000 is the total professional fee inclusive of VAT for the legal transfer work.

Question 3

What if my property costs R10 million — is the fee still R20,000?

Accepted Answer

Yes, provided it is a standard residential transfer registering at the Pretoria Deeds Office. The purchase price does not affect our professional fee. Under the LSSA guideline tariff, a R10 million property would attract attorney fees of approximately R66,370 plus VAT (R76,325.50). Our fee remains R20,000.

Question 4

Does R20,000 include transfer duty?

Accepted Answer

No. Transfer duty is a tax payable to SARS. It is determined by the purchase price and is not an attorney fee. Properties purchased for R1,210,000 or less are exempt from transfer duty.

Question 5

Are there any hidden costs?

Accepted Answer

No. Our professional fee is R20,000. All other costs (transfer duty, Deeds Office fees, rates clearance, compliance certificates) are third-party charges that we collect on your behalf and pay over to the relevant authorities or service providers. These are itemised separately in your statement of account.

Question 6

How long does a property transfer take?

Accepted Answer

A standard residential transfer typically takes 8 to 12 weeks from signed offer to purchase to registration at the Deeds Office. The timeline depends on bond approval, municipal clearance turnaround, and document readiness. We provide regular status updates throughout.

Question 7

What documents do I need to provide?

Accepted Answer

As the buyer: certified ID, proof of income (for bond applications), signed offer to purchase, and FICA documentation (proof of address, source of funds). As the seller: certified ID, title deed (if available), and FICA documentation.

Question 8

What happens at the Deeds Office?

Accepted Answer

After all documents are signed and all clearances obtained, we lodge the transfer documents at the Pretoria Deeds Office. The Deeds Office examiner checks the documents for compliance with the Deeds Registries Act. If everything is in order, the transfer is registered and a new title deed is issued in the buyer's name.

Question 9

How will I receive status updates?

Accepted Answer

We provide milestone updates via WhatsApp or email at key points: when documents are sent for signature, when FICA is complete, when lodged at the Deeds Office, and when registered. You can also contact us at any time for a status check.

Question 10

Does the fixed fee apply to deceased estate transfers?

Accepted Answer

No. Deceased estate transfers involve additional legal steps (letters of executorship, Master's requirements, estate duty clearance) that fall outside the scope of a standard transfer. These are quoted separately.

Question 11

What about trust or company transfers?

Accepted Answer

Trust and company transfers involve additional due diligence, resolutions, and regulatory requirements. They are quoted separately based on complexity.

Question 12

Does it cover sectional title transfers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our R20,000 fixed fee covers standard sectional title transfers. The additional regulatory requirements (levy clearance, managing agent correspondence) are included.

Question 13

What if the transfer becomes unusually complex?

Accepted Answer

If a transfer involves unexpected complications (such as a dispute over boundaries, a defective title deed, or unanticipated regulatory requirements), we will discuss the situation with you and agree on any additional fees before proceeding. We will never invoice you for work that was not agreed upfront.

Question 14

How does R20,000 compare to other conveyancers?

Accepted Answer

The LSSA guideline tariff is a sliding scale. For a R2 million property, the tariff is approximately R25,370 plus VAT (R29,175.50). For R5 million, it is approximately R56,000 plus VAT. Our R20,000 fixed fee is lower than the tariff at almost every price point and provides certainty that tariff-based quotes cannot.

Question 15

Is cheapest always best when choosing a conveyancer?

Accepted Answer

No. The cheapest quote may exclude items that other firms include, leading to surprise add-ons. What matters is transparency: a clear fee, a clear scope, and consistent communication throughout. Our fixed fee is competitive, but our differentiator is predictability and service.

Question 16

What should I look for in a conveyancing quote?

Accepted Answer

Check whether the quoted fee is inclusive or exclusive of VAT. Ask what is included and excluded. Look for line items like "admin fee," "file opening fee," or "sundry disbursements" that inflate the total. A good quote separates the attorney's professional fee from statutory and third-party charges.

Question 17

Which suburbs fall under the Pretoria Deeds Office?

Accepted Answer

The Pretoria Deeds Office covers the greater Tshwane metropolitan area, including Centurion, Hatfield, Menlyn, Pretoria East, Pretoria North, Midstream, Silverton, Arcadia, Brooklyn, Waterkloof, Garsfontein, Faerie Glen, Montana, Sinoville, Akasia, Irene, Raslouw, Erasmuskloof, and surrounding areas.

Question 18

What if my property is outside the Pretoria Deeds Office jurisdiction?

Accepted Answer

Properties outside the Pretoria Deeds Office jurisdiction (for example, properties in Johannesburg which register at the Johannesburg Deeds Office) are not covered by our standard fixed fee. Please contact us for a separate quote.

Question 19

How does the Pretoria Deeds Office compare to other offices?

Accepted Answer

The Pretoria Deeds Office is one of the busiest in the country. Turnaround times are typically 2-3 weeks from lodgement to registration. Specific turnaround depends on workload and the complexity of the particular batch of documents.

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