Hi Masters ,

I am a first time buyer.
During the SPA in July 2017, I've paid for SPA and loan legal fee and also stamp duties for MOT and loan as this was quoted by the lawyer at that time.
Later in May 2018, the developer sent me an official letter saying that STRATA title for my property has been issued and asked me to complete the perfection of transfer. Hence, I went back to my lawyer to perfect the transfer which I was then charged with a certain amount of fee. This excluded out the stamp duties for MOT and loan which I have paid in July 2017.

Question: Why did the lawyer request me to pay for the stamp duties for MOT and loan in July 2017 during the SPA when the Strata title was only issued in May 2018. Is it common for lawyer to charge buyer on MOT stamp duty before Strata title is issued?