If you're buying a property, there are a few costs to plan for beyond the purchase price. The biggest legal expense is the conveyancing (transfer) fee that an attorney charges to move property into your name. This is where your LAW FOR ALL discount helps you save.

Other costs buyers usually need to budget for include:

• Transfer duty - a government tax on properties above a set value
• Deed Office fees - to register the property
• Municipal clearance certificates - to prove rates and utilities are paid up
• Bond registration costs - to register a home loan
• Compliance certificates - such as electrical, plumbing and gas, depending on the property and your contract.

Your discount only applies to the attorney's transfer fee. The rest are standard property costs you'll still need to pay yourself.

In South Africa, it's common for the seller to nominate the transferring attorney, but if you're the buyer (and responsible for paying the transfer fees), you can ask to use your preferred lawyer. Just remember: our discounted rate only applies when we refer you to one our conveyancing partners. If you choose your own,  you'll pay their standard rates.

You are still responsible to pay the transfer fees. But, as a LAW FOR ALL policyholder, you get an exclusive discount through our network of conveyancing attorneys. That means you'll pay far less than the standard rates if you choose to use this benefit.

A property transfer takes anywhere between 8 to 12 weeks from signing the offer to purchase until registration at the Deeds Office. Things can move faster or slower depending on bond approval, municipal clearance, your location and other admin. Having an experienced conveyancer to handle the process ensures everything moves as smooth and quickly as possible.

If you run into problems with the municipality about your property, we can step in. Our legal team helps verify ownership, correct wrong rates or utilities bills, challenge unfair property valuations, and arrange payment plans if you’re behind on municipal debt.