Effective 1 July 2026. CPI reference: January 2026, 3.5%.
The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) has released its updated Guideline of Fees for conveyancing work, covering both conventional deeds (Deeds Registries Act 47/1937) and sectional titles (Sectional Titles Act 95/1986). Below is a complete, easy-to-navigate summary of the guideline — including the fee schedules, interprovincial apportionment rules, and the Alienation of Land Act tariffs. Please check the attached PDF for confirmation before using these figures.
Important: These fees are guidelines only — they are not minimum or maximum fees, and conveyancing fees remain fully negotiable between attorney and client. All figures quoted are net of VAT.
Table of Contents
1. General Notes & What’s Included in the Fee
The recommended fees cover the full scope of a conveyancer’s general duties in procuring proper execution and registration (or cancellation) of a deed or document. This includes responsibility for the accuracy of facts in the deed under section 15A of the Deeds Registries Act, ensuring conditions of title are correctly carried forward, verifying signing authority, confirming security has been furnished to the Master, and that any transaction is properly authorised in terms of a trust instrument, constitution, or founding statement.
In practical terms, the standard fee covers:
- Taking and giving instructions, and all related correspondence
- Perusing the deed of sale
- Preparing and attending to signature of powers of attorney, declarations, affidavits, resolutions, status affidavits and company certificates
- Exchange control certificates and Alienation of Land Act section 20 certificates
- Attendances connected with National Credit Act ancillary documents required by a mortgagee
- Payment of transfer duty or VAT, and of rates due to any lawful authority
- Obtaining clearance certificates (including via an outside agent)
- Perusing memoranda of incorporation and trust deeds
- Arranging guarantees on behalf of bondholders, and attending to payment under them
- Drawing and lodging all documents required for registration, including simultaneous lodgement with other conveyancers
- All deeds registry attendances and references required for examination
2. What’s Excluded — and the Extra Charges That Apply
The base fee specifically excludes a number of attendances. Many of these carry their own suggested standalone fee:
- Drawing/executing deeds of sale, donation, exchange, preliminary partition agreements, suretyships and acknowledgements of debt
- Any separate act of registration needed before or alongside the main registration
- Resolving disputes between transferor and transferee
- Attendances arising from renegotiation, addenda or amendments to an existing agreement
- Consultations for drafting a marriage contract
- Opening a township register (s46), or incisions/excisions
- Documents relating to collateral security required by a mortgagee
- Additional letters of undertaking/guarantees (other than to bondholders, seller or transferring attorney): suggested R955 per undertaking
- Trust investments under s86(4) of the Legal Practice Act: suggested R955 per investment, or a fee based on amount/duration
- Fees paid to software suppliers for electronic instructions
- Outside agent attendances for municipal refunds/reconciliations: suggested R665 (excludes the agent’s own fee)
- Formal certification to a linked attorney/third party beyond what’s needed for registration (e.g. confirming sale price, absence of adverse conditions, compliance with the Companies/Insolvency Act): R1,605 per certification, or a risk-based fee, payable by the requesting party
- FICA compliance documentation: R375 per natural person, or R745 per juristic entity with three or fewer directors/members/trustees/beneficial owners. Where four or more such persons are involved, a time-and-complexity-based fee applies instead
It’s recommended that all of the above additional charges and disbursements be agreed with the client in advance.
3. Key Definitions
Folio: 100 printed or written words/figures, or part thereof (four figures count as one word).
Value of property is defined as whichever is applicable:
- Where transfer duty is payable: the purchase price or the amount on which duty is payable, whichever is higher
- Where exempt under s9(2) of the Transfer Duty Act: the purchase price or declared value, whichever is higher
- Where exempt under s9(15): the purchase price plus VAT
- Where exempt under another s9 provision and an official valuation exists: that valuation or the compensation paid, whichever is higher (or fair value if no valuation exists)
- Where no consideration is payable and no valuation exists: deemed to be no less than R200,000
- For sales in execution or by public auction at a liquidator/trustee’s instance, where price is below the municipal valuation: the municipal valuation applies
4. Transfer of Ownership of Immovable Property
For all work in connection with registering transfer of immovable property not specifically covered elsewhere — including conveyances under the second proviso to section 16 and sections 31, 45, 45bis and 45bis(1A) (bonds excluded) — the fee is taken from Column B of the Schedule (see section 13 below). For sections 33, 45bis and 45bis(1A), the fee is calculated on 75% of the full property value.
Where more than one property appears in the same instrument of conveyance, the Column A fee increases by 15% per additional property, capped at R4,285 per additional property.
5. Leasehold & Upgrading Transactions (Other Than Bonds)
- Registration of a Certificate of Registered Grant of Leasehold (Annexure E, Reg. 13, Act 4/1984): R1,605
- Registration of transfer of a right of leasehold (not otherwise covered): per Column B of the Schedule
6. Endorsements
For endorsing title deeds or bonds under sections 24bis(2) and 25(3) of the Act, and sections 39 and 40 of the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965 — including all necessary drafting, obtaining ancillary documents/consents from the Master and Registrar, and all related correspondence: R5,705.
Additional property or bond in the same application: +R825 each.
7. Partition, Rectification & Exchange Transfers
For drawing and registering each deed of partition, rectification or exchange transfer (including preliminary work, but excluding any provisional agreement drafting):
- Where value can be determined: per the Schedule
- Where value cannot be determined: a fee assessed on length and complexity
8. Certificates of Title
- Certificates of title under sections 18, 34, 35, 36, 39, 43, 46 and 64: R5,705 (plus the subdivision fee under Section XI item 10(a) where applicable). An additional R1,915 applies per extra property if title conditions are identical; if conditions differ, a complexity-based fee applies.
- Certificates of consolidated title (s40), amended/uniform title (s42), and s38 certificates: R9,585 plus R1,915 per additional constituent property after the first two, or a complexity-based fee.
Note: Section V, “De-registration of Mineral Rights,” has been deleted from the guideline.
9. Bonds (Mortgage, Leasehold & Notarial)
Mortgage Bonds
- Standard mortgage bonds (including surety bonds): per Column B of the Schedule
- Collateral bonds (additional security for another bond): 75% of the Column B fee
- Waiver under regulation 41(7) included in a bond: +R2,420
- Multiple properties in one bond: Column B fee +15% per additional property, capped at R4,285 each
Leasehold Mortgage Bonds
Charged per Column B of the Schedule, same as standard bonds. The fee for all mortgage bonds (including surety/leasehold) already includes any fee payable to another conveyancer under General Notes item 1.12.
Notarial Bonds
- Basic amount: R1,650 for bonds up to R200,000, or R2,460 for bonds over R200,000 — plus the relevant Column B amount
- Collateral notarial bonds: 75% of the Column B fee
10. Marriage Contracts & Other Notarial Deeds
- Marriage contracts (drawing, execution, attestation and registration, excluding drafting consultations): R3,230
- Notarial waiver of preference by a mortgagee/usufructuary/other limited interest holder: R4,790
- Notarial lease, servitude, donation or other notarial deed (or cancellation): R7,990, or complexity-based. +15% per additional property, capped at R4,275 each
- Notarial certified copy of a document: R260 per document
- Apostille / international authentication: R2,420 per document
- Notarial authentication of documents/identity certificates: R2,290 (first page) + R180 per additional page
- Notarial attestation of identity and signature, incl. consultation: R2,420 per document
11. Cancellation, Cession & Variation of Bonds
- Drawing consent to cancellation/release/reduction/part payment, or waiver of preference (non-notarial), incl. registration: R3,375
- Second or subsequent bond in the same simultaneous set (same conveyancer, same parties/property): R495 per bond
- More than two properties in a release: +R640 per additional property beyond the first two
- Cession of bond / s45 & 45bis endorsement application: R3,230
- Agreement varying bond terms: R3,230, or complexity-based
- Consents to substitution (s24bis(3) or 45bis(2)): 75% of the Schedule fee
- Consents to substitution (s57): 75% of the Schedule fee
- Application/consent under s40(5)(a) (Form WW): R3,145 (application) + R1,645 (consent)
- Extra signatories beyond the first: +R340 each
- Master’s Office attendances: R1,915 per estate (certificates) / R645 per estate (document copies)
12. Miscellaneous Conveyancing Fees
A selection of the most commonly used miscellaneous items:
- Supervising a registration/bond prepared by another conveyancer: R2,005
- Section 44 amendment of title — checking, arranging, lodging for endorsement: R645
- Attending the deeds registry for a certificate: R340
- Township/settlement endorsement application (s46): R14,325
- Incision (s49(1)) or excision of an agricultural holding: R2,420
- Change of name — no advertisement: R2,420 (+R340 per extra deed); with advertisement: R3,230 (+R340 per extra deed)
- Amendment of a deed under s4(1)(b): R2,420 + R500 per extra deed
- Company-to-CC conversion endorsement: R2,420 + R340 per extra deed
- Change of vesting of an entity: R2,420 + R340 per extra deed + R340 per additional property
- Searching/reporting for non-registration information: R360 per quarter hour, R260 per folio reported; mineral/water rights research: R2,565 per hour, R260 per folio reported
- Certified copy of a deed to serve in lieu of original (Reg. 68(1)): R3,375; related consent (Reg. 68(2)): R1,645 per consent
- Certified copy of a deed for any other purpose: R495 + R340 per extra deed
- Surveyor-General attendances (metrication, diagram copies, certificate of remainder): R495 + R340 per extra diagram
- Local authority — subdivision/consolidation compliance certificate: R3,230; for all erven on a general plan: R3,230 + R340 per erf; SPLUMA transfer certificate: R1,055 + time-based amount
- Affidavits/applications not otherwise covered: R1,915 + R340 per extra folio
- Special or General Power of Attorney: R1,915
- Section 42(1) Administration of Estates Act certificate: R955 per estate
- Section 42(2) Master’s no-objection application: R4,855 per estate
- Rectifying incorrect deeds office information: R955
- Cession of servitude (Form RR, s32): R5,580 + R795 per additional cession/property
- Filing at deeds registry independent of a registration act: R640
- Upliftment of an attachment interdict: R1,915
- Declaration under Form LLL (Reg. 18(4)): R225
- Taxation attendance: 5% of fees allowed (submitting party) / 5% of fees originally billed (opposing party)
13. The Fee Schedule — Column A & B (2026)
This is the core schedule used to calculate transfer and bond registration fees, based on the value of the property or bond.
| Column A — Value of Property or Bond | Column B — Recommended Fee |
|---|---|
| R100,000 or less | R6,875 |
| Over R100,000 up to R500,000 | R6,875 plus R1,100 per R50,000 (or part) above R100,000 |
| Over R500,000 up to R1 million | R15,675 for the first R500,000 plus R2,120 per R100,000 (or part) above that |
| Over R1 million up to R5 million | R26,275 for the first R1 million plus R2,120 per R200,000 (or part) above that |
| Over R5 million | R68,675 for the first R5 million plus R5,340 per R1 million (or part) above that |
14. Sectional Titles Guideline (Act 95/1986)
The Sectional Titles guideline mirrors the conventional deeds structure closely, with the same general inclusions/exclusions and definitions (folio, value of property). Key fees:
Opening a Sectional Title Register / Extensions
- Opening application: R9,515 basic + R955 per section + R955 per certificate of real right of exclusive use (+R340 per additional right in the same certificate)
- Extension by addition of land to common property: R9,515 basic + R955 per section
- Extension under section 25: R9,515 basic + R955 per section + R955 per owner consent under s25(6)
Transfer of Ownership
Charged per Column B of the (conventional) Schedule based on property value. Multiple units/sections in one instrument: Schedule fee +15% per additional unit, capped at R4,330 each.
Other Sectional Title Items
- Partition, rectification or exchange transfers: per the Schedule (value determinable) or complexity-based
- Endorsements (s24bis(2)/25(3), Administration of Estates Act): R5,660, +R825 per additional section/bond
- Subdivision, consolidation or extension of sections: R5,660 basic + R600 per subdivision/consolidation/extension
- Sectional title deed for an undivided share: R2,565
- Reversion from sectional title register to land register: R5,660 basic + R600 per section
- Disposal on destruction of buildings: R5,660 basic + R600 per section
- Sectional mortgage bonds: per Column B of the Schedule; collateral bonds at 75%; waiver under Reg. 41(7): +R2,435; multiple units in one bond: +15% per unit, capped at R5,660 each
- Notarial waiver of preference: R4,820
- Notarial sectional lease/servitude/donation: R7,990 or complexity-based, +15% per additional section
- Certificates of real rights (development, extension, exclusive use): R3,375 each, +R340 per additional defined area
- Cessions of exclusive use areas (notarial): from R2,430 to R3,375 depending on whether simultaneous with a unit transfer, +R340 per additional area
- Body corporate certificate of establishment (s36(1)): R985 or time-based
- Substituting/amending management or conduct rules: R3,375 or complexity-based
Where the sectional title guideline doesn’t specify a fee for a matter, the corresponding fee from the conventional deeds guideline applies.
15. Interprovincial Apportionment Guidelines
When conveyancing work is split between practitioners in different provinces, the LSSA recommends the following apportionment of the total fee between the “instructing” and “instructed” conveyancer. This applies to instructions received on or after the guideline’s effective date.
General Apportionment Rules
- Where a deed/bond is fully drawn by the instructing conveyancer and merely lodged and executed by the instructed conveyancer: 85% / 15% split (instructing / instructed)
- If lodged documents are rejected for unfixable reasons and must be returned for re-drawing: instructed conveyancer gets 20%
- If the instructed conveyancer redraws the rejected deed themselves: 25% (simple error) or 33.3% (other errors)
- If the instructing conveyancer requested a check, and documents were defective: instructed conveyancer is entitled to 20% regardless, plus the above redrawing percentages if applicable
- Where the instructing practitioner only takes instructions and hands the whole file over: 20% / 80% split
Preliminary Work Apportionment (Fixed Fees)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Master’s endorsements (per estate) | R1,915 |
| S42(1) Administration of Estates Act certificate (per estate) | R1,915 |
| Copies of estate documents in one application | R715 |
| Copies of lodgement documents (incl. searches), per application | R715 |
| Clearance certificate from public/local authority or body corporate | R715 |
| Transfer duty/VAT payment & receipt/exemption certificate | R715 |
| Other attendance, per quarter hour | R350 |
| Reporting, per folio | R260 |
| Conveyancer’s certificate / other document not elsewhere listed | R350 |
| Perusing & certifying a guarantee | R490 |
Apportionment by Transaction Type (Conventional Deeds)
| Transaction | Preliminary Work | Final Work | Lodgement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deed of transfer | 66.6% | 33.3% | 15% |
| Conveyance under 2nd proviso to s16, s31, s45, 45bis, 45bis(1A) (bonds excluded) | — | — | 15% (min. R490) |
| Certificate of Registered Grant of Leasehold | 66.6% | 33.3% | R490 if lodgement only |
| Transfer of a right of leasehold | 66.6% | 33.3% | — |
| Partition, rectification & exchange transfers | 40% | 60% | 15% |
| Certificates of title | 40% | 60% | R490 |
| Mortgage bonds | 66.6% | 33.3% | 15% |
| Notarial bonds | 60% | 40% | R490 |
| Marriage contracts | 60% | 40% | R490 |
| Other notarial deeds | 60% | 40% | R490 |
For sectional titles, the same general apportionment principle applies, with the opening-of-register fee fixed at R5,705 + R490/section (preliminary), R3,855 + R490/section (final) and R1,850 + R490/section (lodgement). Transfers of sectional ownership follow the same 66.6% / 33.3% / 15% split as conventional transfers.
16. Apportionment of Fees: Wasted Costs
Where a mandate is terminated before execution or registration, the LSSA recommends apportioning the fee cumulatively based on the stage reached:
| Stage Reached | Additional % | Cumulative Total |
|---|---|---|
| Taking instructions & planning | 17.5% | 17.5% |
| Drawing preliminary documents | 15% | 32.5% |
| Signature of preliminary documents | 10% | 42.5% |
| Completing financial arrangements before lodgement | 20% | 62.5% |
| Drawing & preparing deed/document for registration | 12.5% | 75.0% |
| Lodgement | 15% | 90.0% |
Not every terminated mandate fits this scale neatly — each case should be assessed on its own facts (e.g. a bank instructing its conveyancer not to proceed with bond registration).
17. Alienation of Land Act Fees (Act 68 of 1981)
Effective 1 August 2025.
- Recording of a contract (s20(1)(a) and 20(1)(bb)): per the table below
- Cancellation of a recorded contract by mutual agreement: R780 total; cancelled for any other reason: per the table below
| Purchase Price of Property | Recommended Fee |
|---|---|
| R200,000 or less | R1,575 |
| Above R200,000 | R2,290 |
Apportionment: Only a conveyancer may prepare Forms A and C under the Act’s regulations. Where the instructing conveyancer drafts the form and the instructed practitioner merely lodges it: lodgement fee of R260. In all other cases: 15% / 85% split between instructing and instructed practitioner.
Disclaimer: This article summarises the Law Society of South Africa’s 2026 Guideline of Fees for conveyancing. It is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Conveyancing fees remain negotiable and should be confirmed directly with your conveyancer.