Conveyancing in the Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape property transfers

Many Eastern Cape coastal properties are owned by families who live in Gauteng or elsewhere, and who rarely visit outside the holidays. We attend to Eastern Cape transfers from Johannesburg and keep you informed at each stage, so you do not need to travel.

We act on property along the coast, including Cannon Rocks and Boknes, Kenton-on-Sea, Port Alfred and Gqeberha. For St Francis Bay, Cape St Francis and Jeffreys Bay, see our St Francis Bay and Jeffreys Bay page.

Transfers are registered at the Eastern Cape Deeds Registry in Qonce (formerly King William's Town), or in Mthatha for property in the former Transkei region, through a correspondent for physical lodgement where required.

Cannon Rocks

Cannon Rocks is a small village on the Sunshine Coast, near Boknes, where many homes and plots are family holiday properties owned by people living inland. Common points on Cannon Rocks transfers include:

• Rates clearance from the Ndlambe Municipality. Holiday homes that are not occupied year round sometimes have municipal account queries. We request the figures early so that these can be resolved before lodgement.
• Vacant plots. Many Cannon Rocks transactions involve vacant land. We check the title deed for conditions and confirm the property description matches the diagram.
• Older title deeds. Properties held in a family for many years may have outdated owner details, for example a change of name or marital status, which we correct as part of the transfer.

Points to plan for across the Eastern Cape

• Municipal rates clearance. Cannon Rocks, Kenton-on-Sea and Port Alfred fall within the Ndlambe Municipality, and Gqeberha within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. We apply to the relevant municipality as soon as the file is opened.
• Compliance and beetle certificates. The seller usually provides an electrical certificate and, where required by the offer to purchase, a beetle certificate, which is common in coastal areas.
• Owners' associations and sectional title. Estates and sectional title schemes require a levy or HOA clearance certificate before lodgement.

Passing on the family holiday home

We regularly deal with Eastern Cape holiday homes that form part of a deceased estate, whether the property goes to an heir or is sold. See deceased estates.

How we handle an Eastern Cape transfer

1. Quotation and instructionWe send a written quotation and, once instructed, open the file and check the title deed and offer to purchase.
2. Figures and clearancesWe request bond cancellation figures and compliance certificates, apply to the relevant local municipality for rates clearance, together with any levy or HOA clearance, and liaise with the bond cancellation attorneys.
3. Signing wherever you areYou sign at our Johannesburg office, near where you live, or before a notary abroad.
4. Lodgement and registrationDocuments are lodged at the Eastern Cape Deeds Registry in Qonce (formerly King William's Town), or in Mthatha for property in the former Transkei region, registered, and the proceeds paid out on registration.