CONSUMERLAWS ARTICLES
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Explore the explanations behind payment pressure, credit information and your next practical step.
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Before a missed payment
Worried You May Miss a Car or Bond Payment? What to Do Before Arrears
If your car or bond account is up to date but the next instalment looks unaffordable, act before the due date. Confirm the payment and shortfall, check…
Section 129 notices
Received a Section 129 Notice? What It Means and What to Check
If you have received a Section 129 notice in South Africa, it generally means that your credit provider alleges that you are in default under a credit…
Credit health
Understand Your Credit Health Across Four Credit Bureaus
Your credit health is about more than whether you have a good or bad credit score. It includes the credit accounts recorded in your name, your payment…
Credit readiness
Prepare for Vehicle Finance or a Home Loan
Thinking of applying for vehicle finance or a home loan? Before submitting an application, check three things: what your credit reports show, whether you can realistically afford…
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63 articles
Credit health
Understand Your Credit Health Across Four Credit Bureaus
Your credit health is about more than whether you have a good or bad credit score. It includes the credit accounts recorded in your name, your payment history, outstanding balances, credit enquiries and any adverse…
Credit-report problems
Unknown Account on Your Credit Report: What to Do First
If an account you do not recognise appears on your credit report, do not assume that it belongs to you—or that someone has necessarily committed fraud.
Car-finance arrears
Vehicle Finance Arrears Interest, Fees and Statement Checks
If your vehicle-finance arrears keep increasing even though you have made payments, the first step is to understand exactly how your bank calculated the outstanding amount.
Credit readiness
Vehicle Finance Readiness: What to Check Before You Apply
Thinking of buying a car on finance? Before submitting an application, check your credit reports, existing repayments, monthly affordability and the full cost of owning the vehicle.
Vehicle repossession
Vehicle Repossession in South Africa: Understand the Enforcement Stages
Vehicle repossession in South Africa is a legal process with several distinct stages. For a typical vehicle-finance agreement governed by the National Credit Act, there is an important difference between falling into arrears, receiving a…
Vehicle repossession
Vehicle Repossession Shortfall: Why You May Still Owe Money
If your financed vehicle has been repossessed or voluntarily surrendered, you may expect the outstanding vehicle-finance debt to disappear once the bank sells the car.
Vehicle repossession
Voluntary Surrender of a Financed Car Under Section 127
If you can no longer afford your car repayments, you may be considering handing your financed vehicle back to the bank. South Africa's National Credit Act 34 of 2005 provides a legal process for voluntarily…
Vehicle repossession
Warrant or Sheriff Notice for a Vehicle: What to Check
If you have received a warrant, sheriff notice or court document concerning your financed vehicle, it is important to understand exactly what the document means and what legal stage your account has reached.
Before a missed payment
What Documents Should You Prepare Before Asking for Payment Relief?
If you are struggling to afford your next car instalment, bond payment or another credit repayment, preparing the right documents can help you have a more productive conversation with your credit provider.
Section 129 notices
What Happens After a Section 129 Notice?
After a Section 129 notice, summons does not automatically follow after ten business days. Under Section 130 of South Africa's National Credit Act 34 of 2005, several statutory conditions must be satisfied before a credit…
Section 129 notices
What Is a Section 129 Notice?
A Section 129 notice is a formal written notice issued under South Africa's National Credit Act 34 of 2005 when a credit provider alleges that a consumer is in default under a credit agreement. It…
Credit health
Why Check Credit Information Across Four Bureaus?
Checking more than one credit bureau can give you a broader understanding of your credit information because separate bureaus may hold or display different records about the same consumer.
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