Compare & choose
Cheapest debt review and what the fees really are
By DebtReviewZA editorial team · 6 min read · Updated 30 September 2026
There is no single cheapest debt review company in South Africa, because the National Credit Regulator publishes a fee guideline that registered counsellors follow, so the amounts should be close from one counsellor to the next. The main costs are an application fee, an administration fee, a restructuring fee and a monthly after-care fee, with an attorney fee in some cases.
This guide sets out the NCR fee list with its Rand amounts, shows what you pay upfront and what comes later, and explains where you can genuinely save. We are independent and we do not sell debt review.
Knowing the fee list protects you from firms that add charges or promise unrealistic savings.
The NCR fee list
Debt counselling is not free, but the NCR says you do not have to borrow money to pay the fees. The NCR's fee guideline sets these amounts before VAT:
| Fee | Amount | When it is due |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | R50 | Upfront and in full, before the assessment starts |
| Administration fee | R300 per application | Upfront and in full |
| Restructuring fee | The distributable amount or R8,000, whichever is lower (R9,000 if married in community of property) | Once off, in month one, after your counsellor has drafted and submitted the restructuring documents |
| After-care fee | 5% of the distributable amount, up to R450 | Monthly, after month two |
| Reckless lending fee | R1,500, once off | Only where you or the counsellor strongly feel there was reckless lending after the assessment |
| Tribunal submission fee | R500, not including the Tribunal's filing fee | Only where a consent order is filed with the Tribunal |
| Attorney fee | Not a fixed amount | Agreed with the attorney and given to you in writing when you apply |
The distributable amount is the amount payable to your credit providers under the initial plan. Only the R50 application fee is fixed by regulation. The other amounts come from the NCR fee guideline.
What you pay upfront and what comes later
The R50 application fee and the R300 administration fee are paid upfront and in full. Ask for a receipt when you pay them. The restructuring fee is not an upfront fee: it falls due once, in month one, after your counsellor has submitted the restructuring documents. The after-care fee runs monthly after that.
The counsellor must explain the process and its consequences before you sign, and every applicable fee must be disclosed to you in writing. Never hand your counsellor money to pass on to your creditors. The NCR says counsellors may not collect or distribute it, and you pay your credit providers directly or through a payment distribution agent registered with the NCR.
Fees that do not apply to everyone
Three items on the list are conditional:
- Reckless lending fee. The NCR gave notice in 2018 of its intention to withdraw this fee, saying it was being abused, and we found no published outcome. Treat it as optional and ask why it is being charged.
- Tribunal submission fee. This applies only where all your credit providers accept the proposal and a consent order is filed with the Tribunal.
- Attorney fee. This depends on the attorney and is agreed with you in writing when you apply.
If you use a payment distribution agent, ask what it charges and get that in writing too. The NCR does not make a distribution agent compulsory.
Where you can actually save
The genuine savings come from avoiding unnecessary costs, not from a magic cheap provider:
- Do not pay a removal company for what you can do yourself, such as disputing an incorrect flag with the bureau for free. See our removal guide.
- Question any charge that is not on the NCR fee list.
- Keep your plan on track. The after-care fee is charged every month, so a plan that runs longer costs more in after-care.
- If you transfer to another counsellor, the new counsellor may not charge a new application, administration, restructuring or legal fee that you have already paid, and unused fees must be refunded.
These habits save more than chasing the lowest advertised price.
When a firm's fee talk does not match the list
You may see firms advertise "no upfront fees". The NCR list shows the R50 application fee and the R300 administration fee as paid upfront and in full, so ask exactly which fees you will pay before the plan starts and how the rest will be collected, and get the answer in writing.
Some firms publish Rand amounts on their websites and some do not. Where a figure differs from the NCR list, ask how it is made up. A firm that will not put its fees in writing is a firm to drop.
What cheap should never mean
A cheap debt review should never mean an unregistered operator, no court or Tribunal order, or no clearance certificate at the end. If a quote is far below the NCR list, ask what is being left out. Check the counsellor's NCRDC number on the NCR register first. See how to choose a debt counsellor.
The cheapest quote is worth little if the counsellor goes quiet once your application is filed. Ask how aftercare works before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the cheapest debt review company?
There is no single cheapest. The NCR publishes a fee guideline that registered counsellors follow, so the amounts should be close. Real savings come from avoiding extras that are not on the list and from not paying removal firms, not from chasing a low headline price.
How much does debt review cost?
The NCR fee guideline lists, before VAT: R50 application and R300 administration, both upfront; a restructuring fee of the distributable amount or R8,000, whichever is lower (R9,000 if married in community of property), due in month one; and an after-care fee of 5% of the distributable amount, capped at R450 a month. An attorney fee is agreed in writing. Ask for a written breakdown.
Can I do debt review for free?
No. The NCR says debt counselling is not free, and the R50 and R300 fees are paid upfront. You do not have to borrow money to pay them. Disputing an incorrect credit flag with the bureau is free, and so is one credit report every 12 months.
Why are debt review fees so similar between companies?
Because the NCR's fee guideline sets the amounts, quotes for a similar debt load should be close. Only the R50 application fee is fixed by regulation, so still ask for a written breakdown.
Is the cheapest debt review the best?
Not always. A quote far below the NCR list is a reason to ask what is left out. Transparency and good service matter more than a marginally lower fee.
Where can I genuinely save on debt review?
Avoid paying removal companies for free bureau disputes, question charges that are not on the NCR list, and keep your plan on track. If you transfer counsellors, you should not pay a fee twice.
Should I be suspicious of very cheap debt review?
Ask what is being left out. Only a counsellor registered with the NCR can do debt counselling, so check the NCRDC number first. A price far below the NCR list is a reason to ask for the fees in writing.
