Reference

SA Property Glossary

Plain-language definitions of the South African property terms you'll meet on Liivra.

Last updated 2026-07-21

Property has its own vocabulary. Here are the South African terms you'll come across on Liivra, in plain language.

Buying & finance

Bond — a home loan secured against the property. Your monthly bond repayment covers capital and interest.
Bond originator — a specialist who submits your bond application to multiple banks to find the best rate. See bond referral.
Transfer duty — a tax paid to SARS when property above a threshold changes hands.
Conveyancer — the attorney who handles the legal transfer of the property into your name.
Deed of transfer / registration — the legal process that registers you as the new owner at the Deeds Office.
Offer to Purchase (OTP) — the written offer that, once accepted and signed (in wet ink), becomes the agreement of sale.

Lease — the contract between landlord and tenant. On Liivra it's a real, hash-stamped PDF.
Deposit — money held as security against damages, held in trust via Liivra Pay.
Tenant screening — checks on affordability and history; see screening.

POPIA — the Protection of Personal Information Act, South Africa's data-protection law. See Privacy & POPIA.
PPRA — the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority, which regulates estate agents.
FFC (Fidelity Fund Certificate) — the certificate a compliant agent holds; see PPRA verification.
FICA — anti-money-laundering law requiring identity checks in certain transactions.
FAIS — the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, governing financial advice.
ECTA — the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, which sets what can be signed electronically (leases yes; sale agreements need wet ink).
Escrow / trust account — money held by a neutral party until a deal completes; see Liivra Pay.

Can't find a term? Ask the Bond Agent or check the relevant guide.

Reference

Plain-language definitions of the South African property terms you'll meet on Liivra.

Last updated 2026-07-21

Property has its own vocabulary. Here are the South African terms you'll come across on Liivra, in plain language.

Bond — a home loan secured against the property. Your monthly bond repayment covers capital and interest.
Bond originator — a specialist who submits your bond application to multiple banks to find the best rate. See bond referral.
Transfer duty — a tax paid to SARS when property above a threshold changes hands.
Conveyancer — the attorney who handles the legal transfer of the property into your name.
Deed of transfer / registration — the legal process that registers you as the new owner at the Deeds Office.
Offer to Purchase (OTP) — the written offer that, once accepted and signed (in wet ink), becomes the agreement of sale.

Lease — the contract between landlord and tenant. On Liivra it's a real, hash-stamped PDF.
Deposit — money held as security against damages, held in trust via Liivra Pay.
Tenant screening — checks on affordability and history; see screening.

POPIA — the Protection of Personal Information Act, South Africa's data-protection law. See Privacy & POPIA.
PPRA — the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority, which regulates estate agents.
FFC (Fidelity Fund Certificate) — the certificate a compliant agent holds; see PPRA verification.
FICA — anti-money-laundering law requiring identity checks in certain transactions.
FAIS — the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, governing financial advice.
ECTA — the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, which sets what can be signed electronically (leases yes; sale agreements need wet ink).
Escrow / trust account — money held by a neutral party until a deal completes; see Liivra Pay.

Can't find a term? Ask the Bond Agent or check the relevant guide.