Expect roughly 3–6% of the value in total. Who pays is negotiable, so agree it in writing
before the day.
Rates change — governments periodically reduce transfer fees as a stimulus. Confirm the
current position before budgeting. We’ll check for you.
The four charges
| Charge | Rate | Normally paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fee | 2% of appraised value | Split 50/50 |
| Specific Business Tax | 3.3%, only if the seller has owned it under 5 years or is a company | Seller |
| Stamp duty | 0.5%, only when SBT does not apply | Seller |
| Withholding tax | Progressive for individuals; 1% for companies | Seller |
Stamp duty and Specific Business Tax are alternatives — never both.
Note that most of these are charged on the appraised value, the government’s valuation,
not on what you actually paid.
Who pays what
There is no legal rule. Common arrangements here:
- 50/50 on the transfer fee, seller pays their own taxes — the usual
- Buyer pays everything — sometimes offered against a keen price
- Seller pays everything — occasionally, in a slow market
Put it in the reservation agreement. Arguments on the day of transfer are common,
expensive and entirely avoidable.
Also budget for
Lease registration if leasehold (around 1% of total rent over the term), legal fees, agency
commission (normally the seller’s), and any condominium fees settled at transfer.
There is also an annual Land and Building Tax at low rates for residential property, with
an allowance for a main home. Small, but not nothing.