How to check a conveyancer is experienced with transfers like yours

Inexperienced conveyancers move slowly, miss deadlines, and sometimes make costly mistakes that come back to haunt you years after bond registration. A conveyancer who hasn't actually done many transfers like yours—whether it's a sectional property, a transfer into a trust, or a property in a rural area—will take twice as long to figure out what forms are needed, which deeds office to submit to, and what the local municipality actually requires. You'll pay the same fee for slower, riskier work. The good news is that you can run specific checks before you sign anything.

Ask for a register search—and verify it yourself

Every conveyancer must be registered with the Law Society of South Africa. Before you meet them, ask for their registration number and check it on the Law Society's online register. A legitimate conveyancer will give you this number without hesitation. Search their name and verify the registration is current and active. This proves they're qualified to practice, but it doesn't tell you anything about their track record with your type of transfer.

Next, ask the conveyancer directly: "How many transfers like mine have you completed in the last two years?" Listen for a specific number, not a vague "plenty" or "many years of experience." If they handle rural property transfers and you're buying on smallholding land, ask whether they've worked with the specific deeds office that covers your area. If you're buying a sectional property, ask how many sectional title transfers they've done—different documentation and clearance requirements apply. The detail of their answer matters.

Request references from clients with your type of transfer

Ask for the contact details of three people who completed a transfer similar to yours in the last 18 months. A conveyancer who refuses is a red flag. When you call these references, ask them directly: "How long did your transfer take from signature to registration?" and "Did anything go wrong, and how did the conveyancer handle it?" Ask whether they felt kept informed throughout and whether the conveyancer explained delays upfront.

Don't just accept promises; hear from real people who've been through the exact process you're about to start. If the conveyancer can only find you references from five years ago, that's telling—it suggests they either don't do many transfers now or they've had a high client turnover. Either way, you want someone with recent, active track record.

Check their systems for moving transfers forward

Ask the conveyancer how they track your transfer and keep you updated. Do they send you progress notes by email or WhatsApp? How often do they contact you—weekly, or only when they need something from you? Do they have a tracking system you can log into, or do you rely entirely on asking them for updates? A conveyancer handling the type of transfer you need should have processes in place, not a loose ad-hoc approach.

Ask specifically: "What will you do if the deeds office doesn't respond in two weeks?" and "If my transfer is delayed on the municipal side, what's your plan to unstick it?" Their answer reveals whether they've actually encountered these delays before and have a strategy. An experienced conveyancer will describe concrete steps they've taken, referencing specific deeds offices or municipalities—not generic reassurance.

You should also ask whether they liaise directly with banks, municipalities, and the deeds office, or whether they route everything through you. Direct liaison means faster turnarounds. If you're the go-between, expect more delays and more opportunities for miscommunication.

When you're ready to move forward, Strove lets you compare conveyancers in your area, read verified client feedback, and book a consultation—all without cold-calling. You'll see which ones have recent, relevant experience with transfers exactly like yours.