Transfer Fees

The transfer fee is one of the most consistent costs in any Thai property transaction, payable at the Land Office on the day ownership officially changes hands.

What Is the Transfer Fee?

The transfer fee is a government charge calculated as a percentage of the property’s appraised value (which may differ from the agreed sale price), paid at the moment the title deed or lease is registered in the buyer’s name. It applies to both freehold condominium purchases and registered long-term leases on villas and land.

How It Is Typically Split

Convention in the Phuket market is for the transfer fee to be shared between buyer and seller, often on a fifty-fifty basis, although this is negotiable and should always be agreed and documented clearly in the sale and purchase agreement before signing. Some sellers, particularly developers on new-build projects, may propose a different split or absorb more of the cost as part of a promotion, so always check what has actually been agreed rather than assuming a standard split applies.

Related Taxes at the Same Stage

The transfer fee is usually calculated and paid alongside a small number of related taxes, such as stamp duty or specific business tax and withholding tax, which are assessed separately and depend on factors like how long the seller has owned the property and whether the seller is an individual or a corporate entity.

Practical Tips

• Ask for the transfer fee split to be written explicitly into your contract, not left as an assumption.
• Request an estimate of total Land Office costs from your lawyer before completion day so funds can be arranged in advance.
• Remember that the appraised value used for calculating fees can differ from your purchase price.

Because these figures can shift with regulation changes and individual transaction details, our team at Anan Property Group will always confirm current, transaction-specific figures with you before you reach completion day.