Services

Debt Review (Debt Counselling)

A legal process that restructures your debt into an affordable plan. Once accepted, credit providers communicate through us while your plan is finalised and made an order of court.

How it works

1. 1
   Free assessment and budget

   We check your income, expenses and debt to see what you can afford each month.

2. 2
   Proposal to credit providers

   We prepare a plan and send it to your providers for consideration.

3. 3
   Court order confirms the plan

   The court makes your plan an order. We keep you updated throughout.

4. 4
   One payment via the PDA

   You pay one amount to the Payment Distribution Agent, who pays your providers.

5. 5
   Providers send statements

   Your providers send statements to the PDA. We stay in touch and help with any questions.

6. 6
   Smaller debts finish first

   As smaller balances are paid off, more of your payment goes to the bigger ones.

7. 7
   Form 19 is issued

   When your listed debts are settled, we issue your clearance certificate.

8. 8
   Bureaus update

   We notify the bureaus so your record updates and the debt review flag can be removed.

What we need to get started

• Copy of your ID
• Proof of address (e.g., municipal bill, not older than 3 months)
• Latest payslip or proof of income
• Last 3 months’ bank statements
• A list of your credit providers and balances (we help you compile this)
• Any legal letters or notices you’ve received

Who it’s for

• Households whose monthly debt repayments are no longer affordable
• People who want one manageable payment and protection while the plan is finalised
• Anyone seeking a structured, legal path to a clearance certificate

Important to know

• Debt review is not a loan. It’s a legal process under the National Credit Act to make debt affordable.
• Payments go via the regulated Payment Distribution Agent (PDA), not into our business account.
• Your plan is confirmed by court. We keep you updated and remain your point of contact throughout.
• Once you complete the plan you receive a clearance certificate and the credit bureaus are notified.
• You deal directly with the counsellor (no call centres).
• Most plans aim to finish within about 60 months, depending on balances and creditor responses.
• If your accounts are up to date and you are no longer over‑indebted, you can ask the court to declare you not over‑indebted and leave debt review early.

Fees

Fees follow National Credit Regulator guidelines and are built into your repayment plan. There is no separate upfront fee. Typical components include an application fee, a one‑off restructuring fee, monthly after‑care, and payment distribution charges. We will explain these clearly during your assessment.

What you can expect with us

• Direct access to the counsellor (no call centres)
• Free initial credit assessment
• Transparent fees in line with NCR guidelines (built into your plan)
• South Africa (telephone-based). In person by appointment.

We also assist with

• Issuing your clearance certificate (Form 19) once debts are settled.
• Liaising with credit bureaus to update your profile after completion.
• Budget coaching and practical payment tips to stay on track.
• Plan updates if your situation changes (review & variation applications).

Credit record support

• Check for prescribed or time‑barred accounts and guide you on the correct notices to send.
• If you have a paid‑up judgment, we can refer you to an attorney to apply for rescission.
• Ask credit bureaus to update paid accounts and remove stale or unauthorised enquiries where appropriate.
• Practical steps to rebuild your score after completion.

We follow the National Credit Act and bureau rules. We cannot remove accurate negative information while amounts are still due, but we will help correct errors and ensure paid items are updated.

Monthly affordability estimator

A simple guide to estimate one affordable monthly amount and how it could be shared across creditors. This is not a quotation or legal advice.

Assumptions: affordability = income minus essential expenses; pro‑rata distribution by balance; simple amortisation with the interest you specify; after‑care 5% capped R450; PDA R15 per creditor. Legal/court fees vary and are not estimated. Exact terms depend on creditor responses and the court order.