Property and conveyancing fees in Adelaide

Conveyancer or lawyer?

In South Australia, registered conveyancers as well as lawyers can handle a property transfer. A lawyer is worth considering when there's legal complexity, such as unusual contract terms, a dispute, a trust or company buying, or a family arrangement.

How fees usually work

Conveyancing is commonly quoted as a fixed fee, plus disbursements, which are costs paid to others on your behalf, such as searches. Advice on disputes or unusual matters is more often charged by the hour. Always check what a fixed fee includes.

Costs that aren't the lawyer's fee

• Stamp duty, collected by RevenueSA, which is often the largest cost when buying.
• Registration fees for recording the transfer and any mortgage.
• Searches and certificates, and any fees your bank charges.

Your right to know the costs up front

South Australian lawyers must disclose their costs at the start of the engagement. That includes a range of estimated total costs and what could change it, how often you'll be billed, your right to negotiate the costs agreement, your right to an itemised bill, and how to dispute costs, including complaining to the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner about overcharging.

Questions to ask first

• Is this a fixed fee or hourly? If hourly, what is the rate and roughly how many hours do you expect?
• What is included, and what would cost extra?
• Which costs are disbursements or official fees, and roughly how much are they?
• How often will I be billed, and can I get an update on costs as we go?

Free and low-cost help in South Australia

• The Legal Services Commission of South Australia gives free legal information and advice, and legal aid if you're eligible.
• The Law Handbook, published by the Legal Services Commission, explains the law in plain English.

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