The launch of the Electronic Deeds Registration System (eDRS) is said to be a significant advancement of South Africa’s land registration system as well as the provisioning of deeds registration information to clients and the public. Picture: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers
Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers
The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has, through the office of the Chief Registrar of Deeds, announced the launch of the Electronic Deeds Registration System (eDRS) on Tuesday, April 2.
This is said to be a significant advancement of South Africa’s land registration system as well as the provisioning of deeds registration information to clients and the public.
In a press statement, the Department said the Electronic Deeds Registration Systems Act 19 of 2019 is in full operation from today as per Proclamation 250 of 2025.
“It provides for the Chief Registrar of Deeds to develop, establish and maintain the electronic deeds registration system by using information and communications technologies for the preparation, lodgement, registration, execution and storing of deeds and documents,” it said.
Land Reform and Rural Development said the eDRS aims to ultimately replace the manual registration processes with digital streamlined systems that use technology to ensure improved security, reduce turnaround times and curb corruption.
Additionally, it said this platform will allow practitioners to lodge deeds directly from any location in the country to the designated office for registration of properties.
Key features of the eDRS include information provisioning - the online portal is now accessible to the public for all information related to registered deeds and documents.
It also includes electronic access as Deeds Registries’ registers and documents are currently available to clients without the need to physically visit a Deeds Registry.
Pilot phase where the electronic registration process and related system module, has entered a pilot process, after which it will be rolled out to the entire user base.
According to the department, the dual registration process will be in place over the next five years, allowing for both manual and electronic lodgement and registration at the discretion of the conveyancer.
“Once registration is completed electronically, manual registration will no longer be permitted. The manual registration procedure will be phased out gradually and will ultimately be replaced by an electronic system.”
It added that the eDRS will be further enhanced to cater for outstanding registration procedures to repeal the Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937 and the Electronic Deeds Registration System Act 19 of 2019 with a new legislation expected to be concluded by 2030.
It is also envisaged that all deeds registration processes will, at this point, be solely electronic.
Last month, Clive Bredenkamp, Proptech IT Executive at e4, said the property transfer process is an intricate web of communications and approvals, historically bogged down by legacy systems and paper-based interactions.
He said the digital transformation and solutions that automate cumbersome processes and property transfers happen much faster and far more efficiently than ever.
“One of the most compelling advantages of this evolution is the substantial financial impact for banks. Every single day shaved off the property registration timeline can translate into savings and early revenue recognition in excess of R10 million per day,” Bredenkamp says.
The technology company specialising in digitalisation said faster property transfers are a win/win for everyone as traditional property transfer processes can take anywhere from 60 to 90 days, requiring extensive coordination between multiple stakeholders, including banks, attorneys, the Deeds Office, SARS, municipalities, and more. It said any delay at any stage slows the entire chain, impacting all parties involved.
“For banks, reducing this timeline means earning interest sooner, improving cash flow, and freeing up operational resources. For attorneys, a streamlined process allows room to handle more transactions more efficiently.
"And, of course, for buyers and sellers, the ability to sell up and move into a home faster alleviates stress and logistical challenges.”
Bredenkamp said the digitisation of the Deeds Office will mark the final step in creating a fully digital property transfer ecosystem. “When this happens, the efficiencies created by digital solutions will become even more pronounced.”
He added that the concept of Straight-Through Processing (STP), a fully automated home loan origination and fulfilment process with minimal human intervention is also gaining traction. The closer the industry moves towards STP, the more financial institutions will benefit from reduced processing costs and improved service delivery, Bredenkamp said.
Last month, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development said it was urgently addressing the disruption experienced in service delivery at the South Gauteng Deeds Registry, with transitional measures that have been put in place to ensure that service delivery continues at the current location while alternative accommodation is being sourced.
At the time, the department said in a meeting with organised labour that it was resolved that the facilities and environment present occupational hazards to the employees of the department and further presented safety concerns for clients.
“The Department, together with senior officials of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) agreed that DPWI has to urgently procure an alternative building to accommodate the South Gauteng Deeds Registry.”
Dalrrd said that the long term solution is to relocate to the new premises, which DPWI is currently finalising at Anderson Street, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, with occupation projected for September 2026 next year.
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