Conveyancing Fees Calculator
Calculate South African transfer and bond attorney fees using the 2026 LPC guideline tariff, excl. and incl. VAT
Fees are LPC guideline tariffs — negotiable in some cases. These are the standard market reference for 2026.
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Property value + bond amount → total attorney fees excl./incl. VAT. Instant result.
Complete breakdown with Deeds Office + bank fees, full LPC fee scale table with your value highlighted, and negotiation guide.
Multiple attorney quote comparison tool, complete transaction cost timeline, and full disbursements breakdown.
What is conveyancing and who pays?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership and registering a mortgage bond at the Deeds Office. Two separate conveyancers (attorneys) are involved in a typical home purchase, a transfer attorney and a bond attorney, and the buyer pays both sets of fees.
- Transfer attorney: appointed by the seller; handles the Deeds Office transfer of ownership; fee based on the purchase price
- Bond attorney: appointed by the bank; registers the mortgage bond; fee based on the bond (loan) amount
In some transactions a single attorney may handle both transfer and bond registration (typically when the same law firm acts for both), but the buyer still pays two separate fee accounts.
How conveyancing fees are calculated
South African conveyancing fees follow the Legal Practice Council (LPC) guideline tariff. The tariff uses a tiered formula: a base fee for each bracket, plus an incremental fee per unit of value above the bracket threshold. All fees are subject to 15% VAT.
Example: For a R1,400,000 property:
Amount above threshold: R1,400,000 − R1,000,000 = R400,000
Units: ceil(400,000 ÷ 200,000) = 2 units
Fee excl. VAT: R26,385 + 2 × R2,132 = R30,649
VAT (15%): R4,597
Fee incl. VAT: R35,246
LPC guideline conveyancing fee tariff (2026)
The table below shows the full LPC guideline tariff tiers and example fees at various property values. Fees are calculated according to the formula above, with VAT added at 15%.
Fee structure by tier
| Value Range | Base Fee | Per-Unit Rate | Unit Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| R0 – R100 000 | R6 906 | — | — |
| R100 001 – R500 000 | R6 906 | R1 102 | R50 000 |
| R500 001 – R1 000 000 | R15 725 | R2 132 | R100 000 |
| R1 000 001 – R5 000 000 | R26 385 | R2 132 | R200 000 |
| R5 000 001 – above | R69 025 | R5 366 | R1 000 000 |
Example fees at common property values
| Property / Bond Value | Fee excl. VAT | VAT (15%) | Fee incl. VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| R100 000 | R6 906 | R1 036 | R7 942 |
| R200 000 | R9 110 | R1 367 | R10 477 |
| R300 000 | R11 314 | R1 697 | R13 011 |
| R500 000 | R15 722 | R2 358 | R18 080 |
| R750 000 | R22 121 | R3 318 | R25 439 |
| R1 000 000 | R26 385 | R3 958 | R30 343 |
| R1 500 000 | R32 781 | R4 917 | R37 698 |
| R2 000 000 | R37 045 | R5 557 | R42 602 |
| R3 000 000 | R47 705 | R7 156 | R54 861 |
| R5 000 000 | R69 025 | R10 354 | R79 379 |
| R10 000 000 | R95 855 | R14 378 | R110 233 |
Fees are LPC guideline tariffs for 2026, excluding disbursements (postage, FICA, etc). Actual fees charged by individual firms may differ.
Frequently asked questions
Can I negotiate conveyancing fees in South Africa?
The LPC guideline tariff is exactly that: a guideline. South African attorneys may charge more or less than the guideline, depending on the complexity of the transaction and their firm's pricing policy. In practice, most conveyancers charge at or near the guideline.
For the transfer attorney: the seller appoints them, but the buyer pays. You can request that the seller appoint a firm that charges closer to the guideline, but you have limited direct influence. For the bond attorney: appointed by the bank, so fees are largely non-negotiable unless your bank offers promotions.
Why are there two separate attorneys for one property transaction?
The transfer and bond registration are legally separate transactions at the Deeds Office, and each party, the seller/buyer and the bank, is represented by their own attorney to protect their respective interests. The transfer attorney ensures ownership transfers correctly; the bond attorney ensures the bank's security interest (the mortgage) is properly registered.
In some transactions the same attorney may act as both transfer and bond attorney, but they still issue two separate fee accounts representing the two distinct legal functions performed.
What disbursements are charged on top of the conveyancing fee?
In addition to the LPC guideline professional fee, conveyancers charge disbursements, out-of-pocket expenses incurred in performing the transaction. Common disbursements include:
- FICA (financial intelligence) compliance: R200–R500 per person
- Deeds Office transfer fee: R50–R7,751 (depending on value)
- Electronic lodgement fees
- Postage and couriers: R300–R600
- Deeds Office searches: R19–R100
Total disbursements typically add R1,000–R2,000 to the attorney account, quoted separately from the professional fee.
When must I pay the conveyancing fees?
Both the transfer and bond attorneys will request payment of their accounts approximately 1–2 weeks before the Deeds Office lodgement date. Funds must be received and cleared before lodgement can proceed. The Deeds Office registration typically takes 8–15 business days after lodgement.
Payment is usually required via EFT directly to the attorney's trust account. You will receive a formal account with the exact amount. Do not pay based on estimates alone.
Do I need my own attorney when buying property?
You are not legally required to appoint your own attorney when buying property. The transfer attorney (appointed by the seller) represents the transaction, not specifically either party. However, for complex transactions, high-value purchases, or situations where you have concerns about the seller or the title deed, appointing an independent attorney to review documents and advise you is prudent.
If you do appoint your own attorney, their fees are separate from and in addition to the transfer and bond attorney costs.