Debt counselling and debt review in Johannesburg
If you live in Johannesburg and your repayments no longer fit your budget, debt counselling can restructure what you owe into one monthly payment based on what you can afford. Debt Review Centre’s NCR-registered counsellors help Johannesburg and Gauteng clients fully remotely, so you can start today with your income, household costs and a list of your accounts.
Prepare your Johannesburg household budget
Include the costs you need to keep working and running your household: housing, electricity, transport, food, school expenses and insurance. Use your actual statements, including irregular costs, so the assessment reflects what you can maintain.
The size of one account does not decide whether Debt Review is suitable. The counsellor needs the full picture of what you earn, owe and need for essential expenses.
How debt counselling in Johannesburg works
The process is the same national, regulated process whether you live in Sandton, Soweto, Randburg or Roodepoort. Here is what happens, step by step:
- Free assessment. A registered counsellor looks at your income, essential costs and every credit account.
- Application. If you are over-indebted and choose to go ahead, you apply for debt review (Form 16).
- Creditors are notified. Your counsellor informs your credit providers and the credit bureaus (Form 17.1).
- Proposal. Your counsellor negotiates a restructured repayment plan based on what you can afford.
- Court or tribunal order. The plan is made legally binding.
- One monthly payment. You pay one amount to a payment distribution agency, which pays your creditors.
- Clearance certificate. Once your short-term debts are paid, you receive your clearance certificate.
For the full detail, read how debt review works.
When to speak to a debt counsellor in Johannesburg
Most Johannesburg clients call us when one of these starts happening:
- Your instalments leave too little for rent or bond, food, transport and school costs.
- You are using a credit card, overdraft or new loan to pay existing accounts.
- Debit orders are bouncing, or creditors are calling at work.
- You have received a Section 129 letter, summons or repossession notice.
If any of these sound familiar, the sooner you get an assessment the more options you have. You can also try the debt review calculator for a first estimate.
Choosing between debt review companies in Johannesburg
Johannesburg has more debt review companies than any other city, so it pays to check before you sign:
- The debt counsellor’s name and NCRDC number are on the National Credit Regulator register.
- The fees are explained in writing before you sign anything.
- Nobody promises a fixed saving, cancelled debt or paid “removal” from debt review.
- You can speak to the registered counsellor, not only a sales agent.
Our counsellors are Cornel Strydom (NCRDC1437) and Susan Strydom (NCRDC1355). Read more about our debt counselling service.
Debt review across Gauteng
We help clients right across Gauteng, from Midrand, Centurion and Pretoria to the East Rand, West Rand and Vaal. Because everything runs by phone, WhatsApp and email, you never lose a day to traffic or take leave for an appointment.
Looking for the NCR in Johannesburg? The National Credit Regulator’s head office is in Midrand. It registers debt counsellors and handles complaints, but it does not restructure your debt. For that you need a registered debt counsellor.
Frequently asked questions
Can a debt counsellor outside Johannesburg help me?
Yes. Debt review is a national process under the National Credit Act. Our counsellors help Johannesburg clients fully by phone, WhatsApp and email, and your court or tribunal order is handled without you needing to visit our office.
How much does debt counselling cost in Johannesburg?
The first assessment is free. If you go ahead, debt counselling fees follow the National Credit Regulator’s fee guidelines and are the same structure in every city. You see the full breakdown before you sign.
Will debt review stop me getting a job in Johannesburg?
For most jobs, no. Debt review is private and your employer is not informed. Some roles in finance and security do run credit checks, so ask your counsellor if that applies to you.
Can I get new credit while under debt review?
No. You cannot take new credit until your clearance certificate is issued.
What happens after the assessment?
- Discuss the recommendation, fees and responsibilities before deciding whether to apply.
- If formal Debt Review is appropriate and you proceed, your counsellor verifies the accounts and prepares a repayment proposal.
- The arrangement follows the required legal process. You need to maintain the agreed payments and keep in contact with your counsellor.
Ask how payments will reach creditors, how you will receive statements and what to do if your income changes. Keep copies of the documents and tell your counsellor about any further legal notices.
Do I need a debt counsellor with a Johannesburg office?
Confirm how the service will be provided before you apply. DRC is based at 22 Burt Drive, Newton Park, Gqeberha, and assists Johannesburg clients remotely. Contact the team to arrange the conversation and confirm how to submit documents.
The initial assessment is free. Formal Debt Counselling has fees, and an enquiry does not place you under Debt Review.
Before you apply
- Working with a debt counsellor
What an assessment and ongoing support should cover.
- Understand the fees
Compare the charges, payment schedule and total cost.
- Check whether Debt Review fits
Read about eligibility and the commitment involved.
- More Debt Review questions
Find answers about credit, repayments and completion.