Start with the facts on your credit report
Your credit report is the record to begin with. It usually lists credit accounts, payment patterns, missed instalments, judgements, and any notes tied to debt review or disputes. Ask which items are active, which are settled, and which entries still need checking for accuracy. A small error can change how a lender reads your file, so it is worth slowing down here.
It also helps to ask what information is used to calculate a credit score, and how recent behaviour may affect the result. Some consumers only look at the score number, but the report behind it matters too.
- Which accounts are open, closed or in arrears?
- Are there any listings that look incorrect or outdated?
- What part of my report affects the score most?
- Which entries may need a dispute with the studio?
Questions to ask about debt review under the National Credit Act
Debt review is a process under the National Credit Act for consumers who may be over-indebted. It can affect your existing credit agreements and may lead to a rearranged payment plan if you qualify. A registered debt counsellor is the right person to explain how the process works in practice, and whether it fits your situation.
Ask what the process looks like from the first assessment through to a possible court order. Also ask which debts are covered, how the payment arrangement is set up, and what happens if your income changes. The answers should be plain, not vague.
- Am I likely to be considered over-indebted?
- Which debts can be included and which cannot?
- How does the payment plan get calculated?
- What happens if I miss a payment later on?
Check what paperwork the counsellor will need
Debt review and budgeting assessments depend on documents. Having them ready makes the discussion cleaner and avoids guesswork. In Johannesburg, many people are juggling transport costs, school fees and store accounts at the same time, so a full paper trail helps the counsellor see the real picture.
Ask exactly which documents are needed before the assessment. If a document is missing, ask whether a statement, payslip or bank record can be used in its place. It is better to confirm the list early than arrive with half the file missing.
- Recent payslips or proof of income
- Bank statements for the last few months
- Latest statements for all credit accounts
- Proof of living expenses and household costs
- ID document and any marital status records if relevant
Understand the budget before any plan is discussed
A debt counsellor should look at income, fixed costs and variable spending before talking about a payment plan. That includes rent or bond, transport, food, school costs, insurance and everyday bills. If the budget is tight, say so clearly. A payment plan that ignores the real month will not hold for long.
You can ask how they test whether the budget leaves enough for essentials. You can also ask how changes in fuel, electricity or food prices are treated, especially for households in Cape Town, Durban or Gqeberha where costs can move around in different ways.
- What income figure will be used for the assessment?
- Which expenses count as essential living costs?
- How is a shortfall treated in the budget?
- Will the plan leave space for school, transport and food?
Ask what rights and duties apply during the process
Consumers have rights under credit law, but duties come with them too. Ask how your rights are protected if a credit provider keeps contacting you, how disputes are handled, and what notices may be sent during the process. It is also fair to ask what your own responsibilities are once debt review starts.
This is the section where clear wording matters. If something sounds legal, ask for a plain-language explanation. A registered debt counsellor should explain the steps, but for formal legal interpretation you should confirm the position with the National Credit Regulator or another qualified professional.
- What notices will be issued to credit providers?
- How are disputes or incorrect listings handled?
- What am I expected to do once the process starts?
- Where can I confirm the rules if I am unsure?
Bring local detail into the conversation
A useful question set sounds different when it is tied to real life. Someone in Midrand may be carrying a vehicle instalment for work travel, while a family in Pretoria may be balancing school transport and a store account. In Rosebank, people often manage mixed expenses from city living and long daily trips. Those details matter when a counsellor reviews affordability.
OpenCredit works with South Africans who want to understand their credit position and the debt review process in a clear way. The best checklist is one that helps you describe your situation accurately, without trying to guess the outcome before the facts are on the table.
- Which monthly costs should I mention even if they vary?
- How should I explain irregular income or overtime?
- Do my current obligations fit an affordable budget?
- What should I follow up with the National Credit Regulator?
End the discussion with a clear next step
Before you close the conversation, ask what the next step is and what information still needs checking. If the counsellor says a document is missing or a report entry needs attention, note it down. Keep your own copy of the questions and the answers, because that record helps later if you need to compare information.
A careful checklist does not promise an outcome. It simply helps you ask the right questions before any debt review decision is made. For South Africans dealing with credit pressure, that discipline can make the process easier to understand and easier to manage.
