Rates and thresholds change. The current figures are kept in one place: the Singapore property rules reference.
Legal fees are a fixed cost of every property transaction, but unlike stamp duty, there is no published rate table for them. Knowing who is responsible for what, and how to shop for the work, avoids both overpaying and being caught by surprise.
Each side engages its own lawyer
Buyer and seller cannot share a lawyer, this is a basic conflict of interest rule, since the two parties have different, and at times opposing, interests in the same deal. As the buyer, you are responsible for your own lawyer's fee, covering the work done on your behalf. The seller is separately responsible for theirs. Neither side's legal fee is negotiated as part of the property price, it is a separate, private arrangement with your own firm.
What a legal fee actually covers
Your conveyancing lawyer's fee is not just for one document, it covers a body of work across the transaction: reviewing and advising on the Option to Purchase and Sale and Purchase Agreement, running title searches, raising and clearing legal requisitions against the property, liaising with your bank on the mortgage, coordinating with CPF Board or HDB where relevant, preparing the transfer instrument, and handling completion, including the actual exchange of funds and keys. This is genuine legal work spread across weeks, not a single signature.
Why there is no fixed fee
Unlike stamp duty, which follows a published statutory formula, conveyancing legal fees are set individually by each law firm, based on the transaction's value, complexity, and the firm's own pricing structure. A straightforward resale purchase and a more complex transaction, involving multiple owners, an estate, or unusual title issues, will not cost the same. Because the market is not standardised, the only reliable way to know your fee is to ask for a written quote.
What commonly goes wrong
Buyers sometimes engage the first lawyer they are referred to without comparing quotes, then discover mid transaction that additional work, such as resolving an unexpected title issue, comes at extra cost that was not clearly scoped upfront. Confirm what is included in the quoted fee, and what would trigger an additional charge, before you engage anyone, not after the work has started.
What to check before engaging a lawyer
- Get written quotes from at least two or three firms rather than accepting the first referral.
- Ask specifically what is included, title search, requisitions, mortgage liaison, completion, and what is billed separately.
- Confirm the firm has done HDB or private resale conveyancing recently, since the process and paperwork differ between the two.
- For HDB resale, remember HDB itself offers an alternative conveyancing service to a private law firm, worth comparing before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fixed or government set legal fee for conveyancing in Singapore?
No. Conveyancing fees are set by individual law firms and vary by transaction complexity and the firm's own pricing. Always request a written quote before engaging a lawyer rather than assuming a standard figure.
Can I use the same lawyer as the seller to save money?
No, this is not permitted. Buyer and seller must each engage their own separate lawyer, since the two sides have different, and sometimes conflicting, interests in the same transaction.
For HDB resale, do I have to use a private lawyer at all?
No, HDB offers its own conveyancing service for resale transactions as an alternative to a private law firm. Either party can choose HDB's service or a private lawyer, and each side's choice is independent of the other's.
Not sure what your total upfront costs will look like?
Winfred maps out every cost, stamp duty, legal fees, and cash needed, before you commit to an offer, so nothing catches you off guard mid transaction.
Book a free 30 minute callWinfred Quek is an Associate Marketing Consultant at Crestbrick Pte Ltd (CEA Licence No. L31010886H). CEA R073319H. This page is for general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Rates and rules reflect the position as at 9 Aug 2026; verify current figures with IRAS, HDB, or MAS before making any decision.