Which documents you need to sell your home in South Africa

Missing paperwork is one of the most common reasons transfers get delayed. Your transfer attorney will ask for most of these documents, but if you gather them before you list, buyers see you're organised, and the sale moves faster once you accept an offer.

Your personal documents

• Your ID document, or passport if you're not a South African citizen.
• Proof of address less than three months old, such as a utility bill or bank statement. The attorney needs this for FICA.
• Your income tax number.
• Your marital status documents. If you're married, your marriage certificate, and your antenuptial contract if you have one. If you're married in community of property, your spouse must also sign. If you're divorced, your divorce order.

If the property belongs to a company, a trust or a deceased estate, the attorney will also need the resolutions, letters of authority or executor's documents that give you the right to sell.

Property documents

• The title deed. If you still have a bond, your bank holds the original and will send it to the attorneys. If you don't have a bond and can't find the original, tell your attorney early, because getting a replacement takes time.
• Your bond details: the bank and the account number, so your bond can be cancelled.
• Approved building plans, including plans for any additions such as a garage, a granny flat or an enclosed patio. Buyers and their banks may ask for these, and unapproved building work can hold up a sale.
• Recent municipal accounts for rates, water and electricity.

Clearance certificates

• Rates clearance certificate. The municipality issues this once all rates and service charges are paid. You usually have to pay a few months in advance to get it. Your attorney applies for it, and you pay the amount.
• Levy clearance certificate, if the property is in a complex or estate. The body corporate or homeowners' association confirms that your levies are paid up.

For a sectional title or estate property, also gather

• The body corporate or HOA rules.
• Your latest levy statements.
• The minutes of the last annual general meeting.
• Details of any special levies that have been approved.

Compliance certificates

Every sale needs an electrical certificate of compliance. Depending on the property, where it is and the sale agreement, you may also need certificates for gas, an electric fence, plumbing or beetle (wood borer). Our guide "Compliance certificates when selling your home" explains each one and what it costs.

Useful to have ready for buyers

These aren't required, but buyers often ask:

• Guarantees for the roof, solar system, borehole or other work.
• The age of the geyser and roof.
• Recent electricity and water bills, so buyers can see the running costs.

A simple tip

Make a folder, paper or digital, with copies of everything on this list before you list your property. When you accept an offer, you can send your attorney the full set the same day.

For the full selling process, read our guide "How to sell your property privately in South Africa". You can list your property on LetDirect for a once-off fee. During our limited launch promo, listing is free: rent R0 (normally R99) and sell R0 (normally R199).