Jo-Anne Cogan
Founder & Director
Property transfers, conveyancing and estate administration
Practice area · 02
Property & Conveyancing
Buying, selling or developing property involves important legal steps. We handle property transfers and related conveyancing work, and we keep you informed along the way.
Law is order, and good law is good order.
I can do things you cannot. You can do things I cannot. Together we can do great things.
Where there are laws, innocence need not tremble.
Who it's for
Is this for you?
- People selling property who need it transferred to the buyer
- Buyers who want to understand the transfer process
- Developers who need township or sectional title registers opened
- Property owners with other property-related legal needs
How we help
How we can help
Our property and conveyancing work is headed by founder Jo-Anne Cogan. We offer property transfers and related services. Our work also includes property development matters, such as opening township registers and sectional title registers.
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of immovable property, such as land and buildings, from one person to another and registering it in the Deeds Office. It is handled by a conveyancer, an attorney who has also been admitted to practise as a conveyancer.
A sectional title register is opened in the Deeds Office when a building or complex is divided into sections, such as flats or townhouses, that can be owned separately.
A township register is opened when land is developed into a new township with its own separate erven (plots).
The process
How a property transfer works, in general
This is a general overview, not legal advice. Every matter is different, so please talk to us about yours.
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The sale agreement
The buyer and seller sign a written deed of sale. In South Africa, an agreement to buy and sell land must be in writing and signed by both parties.
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Instructing the transferring attorney
The transferring attorney receives the signed agreement and starts the transfer. Usually the seller chooses the transferring attorney.
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Documents and clearances
Identity and address documents are collected from both parties under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA). A rates clearance certificate is obtained from the municipality and, where relevant, a levy clearance from the body corporate or homeowners' association. Transfer duty (or VAT) is settled with SARS.
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Bonds
If the seller has a home loan over the property, it is cancelled. If the buyer is financing the purchase, a new bond is registered. The attorneys involved coordinate so that the documents are lodged together.
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Lodgement and registration
The documents are lodged at the Deeds Office, examined and then registered. Ownership passes to the buyer on registration.
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After registration
The purchase price is paid out as agreed and the parties are informed that the transfer is complete.
Who you'll work with
Responsible director
Talk to us about a property matter
We'll explain your options in plain language. Call us, or send us a message and we'll get back to you.