31/03/2026
It’s the most common phrase in real estate. When a transfer hits week ten, the finger usually points at the conveyancer. But while we steer the ship, we don’t control the ocean.
The Myth: Your attorney is sitting on your file or "waiting" to generate more interest on Trust money. The Reality: We are often waiting on "The Three Big Clearances" that no law firm can bypass:
- The Municipality: We cannot lodge at the Deeds Office without a Rates Clearance Certificate. If the local council has a backlog or a billing dispute, the matter can be delayed.
- SARS: We need a Transfer Duty Receipt to lodge. If a buyer or seller has outstanding tax returns or owes money to SARS, they may withhold this receipt until the taxpayer is compliant.
- The Banks: We coordinate with bond cancellation attorneys (for the seller) and bond registration attorneys (for the buyer). If one bank is slow to issue guarantees or a proceed to lodge, the whole chain pauses.
The Bottom Line: We want your transfer registered as much as you do. Attorneys do not receive any of the interest generated on Trust funds - they all get paid back to the client - so there is no benefit to the Attorney for taking longer than necessary.