If you're buying or selling property in South Africa, one of the most common questions is: how long does it take for the property to be registered at the Deeds Office? The waiting can be stressful, especially when you're eager to move into your new home or access the sale proceeds.
In this guide, we explain the property registration process and typical timeframes you can expect.
When you buy a property, the transfer of ownership must be registered at the Deeds Office to be legally valid. This process is handled by a conveyancer (a specialised property attorney) and involves several steps:
The total time from signing the sale agreement to registration varies, but here's a general guide:
Preparation phase: 4-8 weeks
This includes obtaining all certificates, FICA documents, rates clearances, and paying transfer duty. Delays often occur if documents are missing or there are issues with rates accounts.
Deeds Office processing: 2-3 weeks
Once documents are lodged at the Deeds Office, the examination and registration process typically takes 10-15 working days, assuming there are no rejections.
Total: 8-12 weeks on average
From offer to purchase to registration, most straightforward transfers take between 2-3 months. Complex transfers involving deceased estates, divorces, or company sales may take longer.
When documents are lodged at the Deeds Office, they go through several stages:
If an examiner finds an error, the documents may be "rejected" or "noted" with queries that the conveyancer must resolve. This can add days or weeks to the process.
Most conveyancers will keep you updated on the progress of your transfer. However, if you want to check the status yourself, you can request a lodgement tracking search.
This search shows you exactly where your documents are in the Deeds Office process at that moment – whether they're awaiting examination, with an examiner, or ready for registration.
When a Property or Bond Registration is submitted (Lodged) to the Deeds Office, it undergoes a thorough process to ensure everything is in order before it can be officially registered. This process is essential for protecting all parties involved and reducing the risk of fraudulent transactions. With our Track Progress of Property Transfer Search, you can easily monitor where your registration stands in the process.
NOTE: This is a SINGLE SEARCH against the Deeds Office. It provides a snapshot of where your Property or Bond Registration is within the Deeds Office process at the time of the search.
Request Check Progress of Property Transfer
Receive daily updates on the progress of your property transfer for up to 14 days or until it is registered. We will email you the update every weekday.
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