As of Saturday, 5 April 2025, a new regulation under the Deeds Registries Amendment Regulations, 2025 has officially come into effect, introducing a key procedural update for property transactions across South Africa.
In terms of the amendment, all property buyers are now required to submit demographic information—including race, gender, citizenship, and nationality—when lodging deeds for registration. This change is overseen by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and reflects an update to the long-standing Deeds Registries Act of 1937.
This development was published in Government Gazette No. 52219 on 5 March 2025 and further explained in Chief Registrar’s Circular No. 3 of 2025.
Why the Change?
According to the Department, this new requirement is intended purely for statistical and land audit purposes, with the aim of helping government monitor and better understand land ownership patterns across the country. It supports broader national efforts to address historical imbalances in land ownership and informs the country’s land reform strategy.
Key Highlights of the Regulation
- Form LLL Submission:
A new Form LLL must now be lodged with every transaction involving land transfers, mortgage bonds, or notarial bonds. The form captures demographic data for individuals and, in the case of juristic entities, the information of majority shareholders, members, or beneficiaries. - How It Works:
Form LLL is submitted along with the standard lodgement documentation. After the information is recorded for internal use, the form is returned to the conveyancer and is not included in the public title deed. - Scope and Application:
The regulation applies to all new property registrations, ensuring a consistent national dataset while not affecting the validity or content of title deeds. - Data Privacy:
Importantly, this demographic information is retained within the Deeds Office system and is excluded from public access, maintaining confidentiality and not impacting ownership rights or transaction costs. - Alignment with Modernisation:
The update also aligns with the government’s broader goal of modernising property registration systems, including the Electronic Deeds Registration System (e-DRS).
What This Means for You
For buyers, sellers, and conveyancing professionals, the implementation of Form LLL is a procedural step, not a substantive legal change. It simply requires that the form be completed and submitted during the normal course of the transfer process.
There is no impact on transaction timelines, fees, or ownership rights, and legal practitioners are experiencing the integration to be smooth and straightforward.
