Debt counselling in South Africa

Debt counselling, also called debt review, is the legal process under the National Credit Act that helps over-indebted South Africans pay one reduced monthly instalment while keeping protection from their creditors. These guides explain the process step by step - how to apply, what it costs, the court order, how debt review affects your credit record, how to get a clearance certificate, and how to remove debt review when you are done.

How debt review works

What is debt review?

What is debt review? A legal South African process under the National Credit Act that lowers your repayments and shields you from creditors while you pay.

Debt review meaning: what 'under debt review' means

Debt review meaning explained: being under debt review means a counsellor has restructured your debt into one protected, court-backed monthly payment.

Disadvantages of debt review and debt counselling

Disadvantages of debt review: a credit flag, no new credit, fees added to your payment, a multi-year timeline and an order you cannot easily exit.

How does debt review work in South Africa?

How does debt review work? A counsellor assesses your budget, negotiates one reduced monthly payment and gets a court order that protects you while you repay.

Is debt review a good idea?

Is debt review a good idea? For the genuinely over-indebted it usually is: one affordable payment plus legal protection. For a short gap it may be too much.

Benefits of debt counselling

The benefits of debt counselling: one affordable payment, legal protection from creditors, lower interest, you keep your assets and a clear path to debt-free.

How long does debt review last?

How long does debt review last? Until your debts are paid - often a few years, longer with a home loan. You exit with a clearance certificate.

The debt review process step by step

The debt review process step by step: apply on Form 16, get assessed, creditors notified in five days, court order under section 87, then pay through a PDA.

What is debt counselling?

What is debt counselling? The National Credit Act process - the same as debt review - where a counsellor restructures your debt into one affordable payment.

Debt review fees and costs explained

Debt review fees: a R50 application fee, admin up to R300, a once-off restructuring fee up to R8,000 and a monthly after-care fee capped at R450, all NCR-set.

Debt review and your credit record

How debt review affects your credit record: a temporary status flag while active, no new credit, then full removal once you get your clearance certificate.

Getting out of debt review

Debt review removal: how to get off debt review

Debt review removal: how to get off debt review legally - finish for a Form 19 clearance certificate, or apply to court to rescind. Beware 'instant' scams.

Free debt review removal: is it really free?

Free debt review removal explained: the proper route costs only the clearance certificate, not thousands. Beware firms charging big fees for 'free' removal.

Debt review clearance certificate (Form 19) explained

The debt review clearance certificate (Form 19) is issued by your counsellor when debts are paid. It triggers removal of the flag from your credit profile.

How to cancel debt review

How to cancel debt review: before a court order you withdraw via your counsellor; after it you generally need a court application to rescind it. The steps.

How to clear your name from debt review

How to clear your name from debt review: pay up, get a Form 19 clearance certificate, then confirm the bureaus removed the flag. There is no instant shortcut.

How much does it cost to remove debt review?

How much does it cost to remove debt review? The clearance-certificate route costs only the certificate. Rescinding a court order early costs legal fees.

NCR debt review removal explained

NCR debt review removal explained: the NCR regulates the process, but your counsellor issues the certificate. The NCR is who you complain to if it goes wrong.

How to remove debt review from your credit report

How to remove debt review from your credit report: get a Form 19 certificate once paid up; the bureaus then remove the flag within about 21 business days.

How to check if you are under debt review

How to check if you are under debt review: pull your free credit report for the debt-review status flag, or ask your debt counsellor or the NCR to confirm it.

Lawyers that remove debt review: when you need one

Lawyers that remove debt review: you usually do not need one. If paid up, your counsellor issues the certificate. A lawyer mainly helps rescind a court order.

How long after debt review can you buy a car?

How long after debt review can you buy a car? Once your clearance certificate is issued and the flag removed, about 21 business days, you can apply.

Loans & credit under debt review

Loans for debt review clients: what you must know

Loans for debt review clients: taking new credit under debt review is generally not allowed, and these offers are high-risk and often predatory. Avoid them.

Can you get a loan under debt review?

Can you get a loan under debt review? Generally no - new credit is not allowed while under debt review, and offers targeting you are high-risk. Finish first.

Payday loans for debt review clients: the risks

Payday loans for debt review clients carry serious risks: high interest, scams and broken plans. New credit is not allowed - talk to your counsellor instead.

African Bank loans under debt review

African Bank loans under debt review: like any responsible lender, African Bank will not give new credit while you are under debt review. It is not allowed.

Rent-to-own cars under debt review

Rent-to-own cars under debt review: marketed as a way around the no-credit rule, but they carry high costs and risks. Know exactly what you are signing first.

NCR & the law

The National Credit Regulator (NCR) explained

The National Credit Regulator (NCR) regulates credit and debt counselling, registers counsellors and handles complaints. Verify counsellors at ncr.org.za.

NCR-registered debt counsellors: how to verify yours

NCR-registered debt counsellors are the only people who can legally run debt review. Verify yours on the NCR register at ncr.org.za before signing anything.

Debt review vs debt consolidation

Debt review vs debt consolidation: debt review is court-backed restructuring with legal protection; consolidation is a new loan with no protection. Compared.

The National Credit Act (NCA) explained

The National Credit Act (NCA) governs credit and debt review in South Africa. It created the NCR, set up debt review and protects you from reckless lending.

Debt restructuring explained

Debt restructuring explained: reorganising your debt into affordable terms. In South Africa, debt review is the formal, court-backed form of restructuring.

Debt counsellors near you

Debt counsellors in Johannesburg

Debt counsellors in Johannesburg: how to find and verify an NCR-registered counsellor in Joburg, what to expect, and why debt review is the same nationwide.

Debt counsellors in Cape Town

Debt counsellors in Cape Town: how to find and verify an NCR-registered counsellor in the city, what to expect, and why debt review is the same nationwide.

Debt counsellors in Durban

Debt counsellors in Durban: how to find and verify an NCR-registered counsellor in Durban and KZN, what to expect, and why debt review is the same nationwide.

Debt counsellors in Pretoria

Debt counsellors in Pretoria: how to find and verify an NCR-registered counsellor in Tshwane, what to expect, and why debt review is the same nationwide.