Guide
Costs & compliance certificates
What buying and selling actually cost, and the certificates a Cape Town sale needs before transfer.
Transfer duty (paid by the buyer)
Paid to SARS by the buyer, through the transfer attorney, before the transfer can be registered. Rates for 2026/27 (unchanged in the February 2026 Budget):
| Purchase price | Transfer duty |
|---|---|
| Up to R1 210 000 | Nil |
| R1 210 001 – R1 663 800 | 3% of the value above R1 210 000 |
| R1 663 801 – R2 329 300 | R13 614 + 6% of the value above R1 663 800 |
| R2 329 301 – R2 994 800 | R53 544 + 8% of the value above R2 329 300 |
| R2 994 801 – R13 310 000 | R106 784 + 11% of the value above R2 994 800 |
| Above R13 310 000 | R1 241 456 + 13% of the value above R13 310 000 |
Source: SARS. A new home bought from a VAT-registered developer carries VAT in the price instead of transfer duty.
Other buying costs
- Transfer attorney's fees and Deeds Office fees, on a sliding scale by price.
- Bond registration: the bond attorney's fees and bank initiation fee, if you take a bond.
- Moving, connections, insurance from the day of transfer, and a buffer for the unexpected.
Selling costs
- Agent's commission plus VAT.
- Bond cancellation fees, and penalty interest if you give your bank less than its notice period.
- Rates clearance (rates paid in advance) and any outstanding levies.
- The compliance certificates below, and any repairs they call for.
Compliance certificates for a Cape Town sale
| Certificate | When it is needed |
|---|---|
| Electrical | Every transfer. A certificate under two years old is accepted if nothing has changed since. Solar and inverter installations are included. |
| Water installation | Every transfer in the City of Cape Town, under the City's water by-law, issued by a registered plumber. It covers the water installation, not drains or sewerage. |
| Electric fence | If the property has an electric fence. |
| Gas | If there is a fixed gas installation (hob, geyser or fireplace). |
| Beetle | Not required by law, but most sale agreements and many banks ask for one, especially near the coast. |
The seller pays for the certificates and any work needed to pass them, unless the agreement says otherwise. Get them done early: a failed inspection can delay transfer by weeks.
Want a cost estimate for a specific home?
More guides
Affordability, bond pre-approval, choosing an area and making an offer that holds.
Read →Selling your homeOur five steps from valuation to transfer, and how to price so it sells.
Read →Investing in propertyRental yield, capital growth and how to judge an investment before you buy.
Read →