Conveyancing Fees in Singapore \u2014 Full Legal Cost Breakdown
Everyone budgets for stamp duty and down payment, but legal fees catch people off guard. Here is exactly what you pay your lawyer \u2014 and what those mystery "disbursements" actually are.
Answer: Conveyancing legal fees in Singapore run $2,500\u2013$3,500 for private property and $1,800\u2013$2,500 for HDB transactions. On top of that, expect $300\u2013$600 in disbursements (title searches, caveat registration, SLA fees), $25\u2013$50 for CPF withdrawal fees, and 0.4% of your loan amount for mortgage stamp duty. Total legal costs for a $1,500,000 condo purchase with a $1,000,000 loan: about $7,000\u2013$8,500.
Buying a Private Property \u2014 Full Fee Breakdown
Example: $1,500,000 condo, $1,000,000 bank loan
| Fee Item | Amount | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyancing legal fees | $2,500\u2013$3,500 | Buyer |
| Mortgage legal fees | $800\u2013$1,500 | Buyer (some banks absorb this) |
| Mortgage stamp duty (0.4%) | $4,000 | Buyer |
| Title search fees | $30\u2013$50 | Buyer |
| Caveat registration (SLA) | $65\u2013$130 | Buyer |
| SLA registration fee | $38\u2013$65 | Buyer |
| Bankruptcy search | $6/person | Buyer |
| CPF withdrawal application | $25\u2013$50 | Buyer |
| Miscellaneous (copies, postage) | $50\u2013$100 | Buyer |
| Total legal costs (buyer) | $7,500\u2013$9,400 | \u2014 |
Mortgage stamp duty = 0.4% \u00d7 $1,000,000 loan = $4,000. This is the single biggest legal cost for most buyers.
HDB vs Private \u2014 Legal Fee Comparison
| Fee Item | HDB Resale | Private Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyancing fees | $1,800\u2013$2,500 | $2,500\u2013$3,500 |
| Mortgage legal fees | $500\u2013$800 | $800\u2013$1,500 |
| Total disbursements | $200\u2013$400 | $300\u2013$600 |
| Mortgage stamp duty | 0.4% of loan | 0.4% of loan |
| Caveat needed? | No (HDB title) | Yes ($65\u2013$130) |
| Lawyer required? | Optional (but recommended) | Required |
| Total (excl. mortgage stamp duty) | $2,500\u2013$3,700 | $3,600\u2013$5,600 |
HDB conveyancing is cheaper because the process is more standardised \u2014 no caveats, no complex title searches. The HDB Resale Portal handles much of the documentation.
Selling a Property \u2014 Legal Fees
| Fee Item | HDB Resale | Private Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyancing legal fees | $1,500\u2013$2,000 | $2,000\u2013$3,000 |
| Mortgage discharge fees | $300\u2013$500 | $500\u2013$800 |
| Caveat withdrawal | \u2014 | $65\u2013$130 |
| Disbursements | $100\u2013$200 | $200\u2013$400 |
| Total seller legal costs | $1,900\u2013$2,700 | $2,765\u2013$4,330 |
Mortgage Stamp Duty by Loan Amount
0.4% of the loan amount \u2014 often overlooked in budgeting
| Loan Amount | Mortgage Stamp Duty (0.4%) |
|---|---|
| $400,000 | $1,600 |
| $600,000 | $2,400 |
| $750,000 | $3,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $4,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $6,000 |
How to Save on Conveyancing Fees
- Get 3 quotes: Legal fees are not regulated \u2014 lawyers set their own rates. Getting quotes from 3 firms can save $300\u2013$500
- Bundle sale + purchase: If selling and buying at the same time, use the same firm for both. Most offer a bundled discount of $500\u2013$1,000
- Check bank panel lawyers: Some banks absorb the mortgage legal fees if you use their panel lawyer. This saves $800\u2013$1,500
- HDB without a lawyer: For HDB resale, you can technically do the conveyancing yourself through the HDB portal. Saves $1,800\u2013$2,500 but you bear the risk of mistakes
- Skip unnecessary add-ons: Some firms charge for "priority handling" or "express completion" \u2014 these are rarely needed
Budgeting for a property purchase?
Legal fees are just one piece. Make sure you know the full picture \u2014 stamp duty, down payment, CPF, and cash needed.
FAQ
How much do conveyancing lawyers charge in Singapore?
For a standard private property purchase, legal fees range from $2,500–$3,500 for the conveyancing lawyer. HDB transactions are cheaper at $1,800–$2,500 because the process is more standardised. These fees cover the lawyer’s work on title searches, contract review, CPF paperwork, mortgage documentation, and completion. Disbursements (government fees, searches) are on top of this.
What are disbursements and how much do they cost?
Disbursements are government fees and third-party charges that your lawyer pays on your behalf. These include title searches ($30–$50), caveat registration ($65–$130), SLA registration fees ($38–65 per document), bankruptcy searches ($6 per person), and CPF withdrawal application fees ($25–$50). Total disbursements typically run $300–$600 for a private property and $200–$400 for HDB.
Do I need separate lawyers for buying and selling?
If you are buying and selling at the same time (e.g., selling HDB and buying condo), you technically need two sets of conveyancing work. Some law firms offer bundled rates for concurrent sale and purchase, saving $500–$1,000 compared to engaging two separate firms. The same lawyer can handle both transactions.
What is mortgage stamp duty and how much is it?
Mortgage stamp duty (officially called stamp duty on mortgage documents) is 0.4% of the loan amount. On a $750,000 loan, that’s $3,000. On a $1M loan, it’s $4,000. This is separate from BSD/ABSD on the property purchase itself. Your lawyer typically arranges payment to IRAS.
When do I pay conveyancing fees — upfront or at completion?
Most lawyers collect a small upfront deposit ($500–$1,000) when you engage them, then bill the remainder at completion. Disbursements are billed as incurred. You will receive a detailed breakdown before completion showing exact amounts. Final payment is usually due on or just before the completion date.
Can I do conveyancing myself without a lawyer?
For HDB transactions, you can technically handle it yourself through the HDB Resale Portal without a lawyer. HDB provides step-by-step guidance. However, for private property, you must engage a lawyer — the process involves title searches, caveats, and mortgage documentation that require legal expertise. Even for HDB, most people use a lawyer ($1,800–$2,500) to avoid mistakes.
Related
Last updated Feb 2026. Legal fees are market estimates and vary by law firm. Mortgage stamp duty rate per Stamp Duties Act. SLA fees per current published rates. This is informational, not financial or legal advice.