Debt Review in Johannesburg
You don’t need a debt counsellor down the road to get proper help. Gauteng Debt Counselling has helped people across Gauteng since 2009, and our whole process works by phone, WhatsApp and email, from your free assessment to your clearance certificate.
★ Debt Review Awards: Top 5 Large Debt Counsellors 2025 · Top 10 Medium Debt Counsellors 2026
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Quick answer: Debt review is a legal process under the National Credit Act that lowers your monthly debt repayments and protects you from new legal action on the accounts included. For Johannesburg residents we handle everything remotely, and your plan is made an order of the magistrate’s court for the area where you live.
Debt review in Johannesburg, done remotely
We are based in Pretoria, but distance makes no difference to how debt review works. Your application is lodged with your credit providers and the credit bureaus electronically, your monthly payment goes by debit order to an NCR-registered payment distribution agency, and your restructured plan is made an order of the magistrate’s court for your area. We prepare and handle that application for you.
What you get in return is a small, award-winning practice: the same team from your first call to your clearance certificate, instead of a new call-centre agent every time you phone.
What you will need to send us
We will confirm exactly what we need after your free assessment. It usually includes:
- A copy of your ID
- Your latest three months' payslips
- Your latest three months' bank statements
- Statements or a list of your credit accounts
- Proof of address
Areas we serve in Johannesburg
- Johannesburg CBD and surrounds
- Soweto
- Randburg and Northcliff
- Roodepoort
- Sandton and Fourways
- Midrand
- Johannesburg South: Mondeor, Glenvista and Ormonde
Your City of Johannesburg account and debt review
Municipal rates, water and electricity accounts are not credit agreements, so they cannot be included in debt review. We budget for them as essential expenses so your plan stays affordable. Also see debt review in Pretoria and Tshwane and Centurion.
How debt review works
Five steps, usually over 3 to 5 years. We handle the paperwork, the negotiations and the court application.
1. Assess
A free, no-obligation look at your income, living costs and debt, to see whether you are over-indebted.
2. Protect
We notify your credit providers and the credit bureaus. From then on they may not start new legal action on the accounts included.
3. Restructure
We negotiate lower instalments and interest with each credit provider, so the total fits your budget.
4. Order
Your restructured plan is made an order of the magistrate’s court, or confirmed by the National Consumer Tribunal.
5. Clear
You pay one amount a month through an NCR-registered payment distribution agency until you receive your clearance certificate.
Timing matters: if a credit provider has already sent you a Section 129 notice on an account, that account can no longer be included in debt review. Contact us as soon as you start falling behind, not when the summons arrives.
What debt review costs
Debt counselling fees are capped by law, and your first conversation with us costs nothing.
| Your first assessment | Free, no obligation |
| Application fee | R50, once-off |
| Restructuring fee | Your first restructured instalment, capped at R8,000 (R9,000 for a joint application by spouses married in community of property) |
| Aftercare fee | 5% of your monthly instalment, capped at R450 a month |
Fees are set by the National Credit Regulator and exclude VAT. Payment distribution agency fees and any legal costs are separate, and we explain every amount in writing before you sign anything.
Frequently asked questions
Why use a Pretoria debt counsellor if I live in Johannesburg?
The law, the process and the NCR fee caps are the same wherever your debt counsellor is based. Choosing us gets you an experienced, award-winning practice that works remotely, with one small team handling your file throughout.
Do I need to go to court?
In most cases, no. We prepare and handle the court application for you. If your court ever needs you to attend, we will tell you well in advance.
When are my creditors stopped?
Once we lodge your application and notify your credit providers and the credit bureaus, they may not start new legal action on the accounts included in debt review, provided they had not already sent you a Section 129 notice on that account.
How long does debt review take?
Most plans run for 3 to 5 years, depending on how much you owe and what you can afford each month.
What does it cost?
Your first assessment is free. After that, fees are capped by the National Credit Regulator; see the fee table above.
Ready to find out where you stand?
Send us a WhatsApp or book a free assessment online. We will call you back and explain your options, with no obligation.
Gauteng Debt Counselling · NCR-registered debt counsellor Leandie Brink (NCRDC2414) · Member of DCASA · 463 Protea Street, Strubenkop, Pretoria · Mon to Fri, 08:00 to 16:00 · 087 056 0654 · [email protected]
The free assessment does not bind you to any agreement.