You've bought a cottage in the village, and the seller left the decoder behind. Or a parent has passed on and their DStv box is now yours. Either way, a DStv decoder change of ownership moves that decoder onto your own name and account. In Franschhoek we see this often, because so many homes and guest farms change hands with the TV gear still on the wall.
Quick answer: A DStv decoder change of ownership is done on DStv's online form. You choose your situation (gift, inherited or bought second-hand), upload the documents asked for, such as the new owner's ID, and DStv confirms the transfer, within about 48 hours at the time of writing. Then you activate the decoder on your own account.
Why DStv won't let you just take over the old account
Each DStv account is an agreement between MultiChoice and one person. You can't simply carry on paying the previous owner's subscription. DStv's own FAQ explains that decoders move between accounts through the change of ownership process instead.
This protects both sides. The old owner stops being responsible for a box they no longer have, and you get a clean account in your own name. If you're only moving your own box to a second home, you don't need a transfer at all, as our post on using a decoder at another house explains.
How a DStv decoder change of ownership works, step by step
DStv moved this process online, so there's no form to print or queue to stand in. At the time of writing it looks like this:
- Find the decoder's details. The smartcard number and decoder number are on the box and on the decoder's info screen.
- Open the Change of Ownership page on dstv.com and pick the scenario that fits you.
- Upload the documents asked for, usually a copy of your ID and any extra proof that applies.
- Wait for confirmation. DStv says it aims to respond within 48 hours.
- Choose a package and activate the decoder on your new account.
DStv's change of ownership FAQ has the latest version of these steps. If you get stuck on the activation, our guide on how to activate a DStv decoder covers every method.
Documents to change ownership of a DStv decoder
What you upload depends on how the decoder came to you. DStv lists these reasons for asking.
| Your situation | What DStv asks for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Gift from a friend or family member | New owner's ID | A reference if the old owner has questions later |
| Bought from a pawn shop | Your ID plus proof of purchase | So stolen decoders don't get activated |
| Inherited from a deceased estate | Your ID plus a letter from the executor | The law requires it to transfer the deceased's possessions |
| Left behind in a house you bought | Your ID, and proof of purchase if you have it | Shows the box is now legally yours |
Good to know: Older decoders that have reached end of support can still be transferred. DStv warns that it can't repair or replace them with the same model, they can't be insured and they no longer get software updates.
Can I give someone my DStv decoder?
Yes. Many people ask "can I give someone my DStv decoder" when they upgrade or move overseas. You can hand it over, and the new owner then applies for the change of ownership on their side.
Before you hand it over, let DStv know the box is no longer yours, so it isn't left linked to your subscription. Selling it works the same way. The buyer does the transfer, and a simple note of the sale helps if they're asked for proof.
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Tell us what you need or what your screen shows. We give you a clear price before we drive out.
Buying a Franschhoek home with DStv already installed
Holiday homes and lock-up-and-go houses around Franschhoek often sell with the decoder, dish and wall bracket left in place. That's handy, but don't assume it all still works. A box that sat unused for a season may need software updates, and the dish may have been knocked by a winter storm.
Check the kit before you transfer it
- Write down the smartcard and decoder numbers before the seller leaves.
- Ask what model it is. An end-of-support box may not be worth transferring.
- Look at the dish from the ground. Rust or a bent arm means trouble.
- Ask whether the decoder was linked to a second TV in XtraView.
Valley homes and guest farms
Our valley is ringed by high mountains, and in winter they can shadow the northern sky. A dish that worked for the last owner in La Motte or Groendal may still need a fresh alignment if a tree has grown or the dish was moved.
On farms around Wemmershoek and Simondium, long cable runs from the dish are worth testing too. Our dish alignment service sorts both. Moving the box to another house instead? Our DStv relocation team can take the dish along.
Can I swap my old DStv decoder for a newer one?
This is a different job from a transfer. If you ask "can I swap my old DStv decoder", you're usually keeping your own account and simply upgrading the box. You buy the new decoder and have it activated on your existing account. No change of ownership is needed.
The old box can then be given away or sold, and the new owner does the transfer. At the time of writing, DStv's promotional prices were R1,499 for an Explora and R2,999 for an Explora Ultra. Prices vary, so compare on the day and see our Explora price guide.
DStv Explora change of ownership and XtraView
A DStv Explora change of ownership follows the same form. Remember that Explora boxes carry the Access Fee, which was R125 per month at the time of writing, on top of your package. If the Explora was part of an XtraView pair, the link to the other decoder may need setting up again on your account.
Technician tip: If you inherit two linked decoders, transfer both at the same time. It saves you sorting out the XtraView link twice.
Once the change of ownership on your DStv decoder is done
Once DStv confirms the transfer, the box is yours to activate and use. This is where our team usually comes in. We check the dish, run a signal test, set up the decoder and make sure every TV works.
We handle new DStv installation and DStv decoder setup across the valley, including La Provence and Bo-Dorp.
Need the decoder set up in Franschhoek?
Do the paperwork online, then let a local technician handle the rest. As a team doing DStv installation in Franschhoek, we quote first and test the picture with you before we leave.
Send us the decoder model and your address through the contact page, and we'll come back to you with a quote.
Talk to our Franschhoek team
We work across Franschhoek, La Motte, Groendal, Wemmershoek, Simondium and nearby. Call or WhatsApp us and we will tell you the practical next step.
DStv decoder change of ownership: FAQs
How long does a DStv decoder change of ownership take?
At the time of writing, DStv says it aims to confirm an online change of ownership within 48 hours. Delays usually come from missing or unclear documents, so upload a clear copy of your ID and any proof of purchase or executor's letter the first time.
Can I change ownership of a DStv decoder online?
Yes. DStv now handles it through an online Change of Ownership form on dstv.com. You choose your scenario, upload the documents and wait for confirmation. There's no need to visit a branch for a normal transfer.
Can I sell my DStv decoder to someone else?
Yes, you can sell it. The buyer then applies for the change of ownership using their own ID. Let DStv know the decoder is no longer yours, and give the buyer a simple note of the sale in case they need it.
Can I use someone else's DStv decoder?
You can use a decoder that someone gives or sells you, but it has to be moved to your own account first. DStv won't let you keep paying on another person's account, because each account is an agreement with one customer.
I bought a house in Franschhoek with DStv already installed. What now?
Note the decoder and smartcard numbers, ask the seller what model it is, then apply for the change of ownership online. Before you choose a package, have the dish and cabling checked, as unused systems in the valley often need realigning after winter.
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