When selling your property, it is necessary for the conveyancer to obtain a rates clearance certificate (RCC) from the relevant local authority, or municipality, before transfer can be registered in the Deeds Office.

Why is it necessary to obtain a rates clearance certificate?

The RCC issued by the city council certifies that there are no outstanding funds due to the municipality at the time of the registration of transfer to the purchaser. This certificate is a requirement in terms of the Deeds Registries Act and must be lodged in the Deeds Office. The Registrar of Deeds will not register the transfer of a property unless the conveyancer lodges a valid RCC along with other required documents at the Deeds...

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The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) published its annual update to the conveyancing fee guidelines. These revised tariffs, effective from 1 August 2025, now apply to all new instructions received on or after that date. The adjustments reflect an average increase of approximately 3.2% across most categories and include updated figures for property transfers, mortgage bond registrations, and several other related legal services. 

Conveyancing fees in South Africa are...