The Deeds Office of South Africa has taken a significant step in land ownership transparency following recent amendments to the Regulations of the Deeds Registries Act, effective from 5 March 2025.
As part of an initiative aimed at capturing demographic data for statistical and land audit purposes, Form LLL now requires purchasers and registered landowners to disclose details regarding their race, gender, citizenship and nationality, Cape {town} Etc reports.
This procedural update comes at a time when the need for equitable land distribution and ownership transparency has compelled various stakeholders to reassess existing norms.
The amended Regulation 18 mandates that every transfer of land and related applications, such as those for a certificate of registered title, must now be accompanied by Form LLL, which includes sensitive demographic information.
Under the new requirements, individuals purchasing land must provide their race, gender, nationality, and, where applicable, passport numbers and status of permanent residency. Furthermore, in instances where the property is registered in the name of a company, trust, or close corporation, the form must reflect the majority demographic characteristics of the entity’s owners, shareholders or beneficiaries.
The importance of accurate data collection cannot be overstated. Regulation 18 allows attorneys, conveyancers, notaries, or statutory officers to sign on behalf of the client.
However, practitioners are urged to obtain precise information from clients before proceeding with an endeavour that underscores the responsibility of those in the legal profession to act with diligence and integrity.
To add to the clarity of this mandate, CRC 3 of 2025 stipulates that starting from 5 April 2025, Form LLL must be included with all deeds or documents pertaining to land, mortgage bonds and notarial bonds lodged with the Deeds Office. This form must be securely attached to the lodgement cover and will be returned to the legal practitioner following data capture.
It is important to note that any information relating to a party’s race, gender, nationality and permanent residency is strictly confidential. According to both Regulation 18 and CRC 3 of 2025, this data shall not appear in any other transactions or documents lodged.
Instead, the disclosures will be used solely for statistical purposes, fostering a deeper understanding of land ownership trends in South Africa.
As these changes come into effect, landowners and prospective purchasers must stay informed and ensure compliance with the new regulations.
The drive for accurate demographic data in ownership not only aims to reflect the societal composition of landowners but also paves the way for addressing historical imbalances that have persisted in South Africa.
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Picture: Abrahams & Gross Inc
