Debt Review Clearance With a Home Loan Still Running | Debt365
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Home › Blog › Leaving Debt Review
Clearance Certificate When Only Your Home Loan Is Left: The Section 71 Exception Explained
By Chris Shumba, Registered Debt Counsellor (NCRDC2403) · Updated 3 October 2026 · 6 min read
Quick answer: Yes. Under section 71 of the National Credit Act you can get a debt review clearance certificate while your home loan is still running, provided every other debt in your debt review is settled, your bond has no arrears and you can show you can afford its future instalments. Your status then changes to F1.
Who this is for: Homeowners under debt review whose only remaining debt in the plan is the bond (or another long-term agreement).
Key takeaways
You do not have to pay off your bond to exit debt review.
- Every other debt in the plan must be settled and the home loan must have no arrears.
- You must be able to show you can afford the bond’s future instalments.
- Your status becomes F1, and the debt review flag and related default records are removed.
The short version
Many homeowners believe they are “stuck” in debt review until their bond is paid off, which could be 15 or 20 years away. That is not the law. Section 71(1)(b) of the National Credit Act lets a debt counsellor issue a clearance certificate when your home loan is the only debt left, as long as you meet three conditions.
The three conditions for F1 clearance
Condition What it means in practice How to prove it
1. Every other debt is settled All personal loans, cards, store accounts, vehicle finance and overdrafts in your court order are paid in full Paid-up letters from each credit provider
2. No arrears on the home loan The bond is fully up to date, with nothing owing beyond the current instalment Latest bond statement
3. You can afford future instalments Your income comfortably covers the bond after clearance, together with your living costs Payslips, bank statements and a budget your counsellor reviews
When all three are met, your counsellor must issue the clearance certificate within seven days and file it with the NCR and credit bureaus within seven days after that. Your status changes to F1. For the full certificate process, see our guide to the Form 19 clearance certificate.
Why this matters so much for homeowners
Staying under debt review longer than necessary has real costs:
- You cannot take on new credit, including finance for a replacement car or a home improvement loan.
- Aftercare fees keep running while your file is open.
- Your credit report continues to show the debt review flag, which affects rentals, some job checks and insurance pricing.
Exiting with F1 status stops all of that while you keep paying your bond normally.
A worked example
Sipho and Lerato in Benoni went under debt review in 2022 with:
Account Balance in 2022 Balance now
Home loan R910,000 R842,000
Vehicle finance R168,000 R0
Personal loan R74,000 R0
Credit card R38,000 R6,300
Two store accounts R21,000 R0
Only the credit card stands between them and F1 clearance. Their options:
- Keep paying through the plan. At their current allocation, the card is settled in about seven months.
- Settle it now. If they use a R6,300 bonus to clear the card (through their debt counsellor, with a settlement letter), they can apply for clearance almost immediately, provided the bond has no arrears and the affordability check passes. Read how to settle debt review early with a lump sum.
What to check before you apply
- Your bond’s post-clearance instalment. Ask your bank in writing what instalment and rate will apply once the restructuring order no longer governs the account. Build your budget around that number, not your current plan payment.
- Arrears hidden in the statement. Look for unpaid insurance premiums, legal costs or fees added to the bond account. Any arrears block F1.
- Every other account is truly at R0. Small residual balances are the most common reason clearance is delayed. See paid up but still flagged.
- Your monthly budget after clearance. If the bond would take more than you can safely afford, staying in the plan a little longer may be the safer choice. Our leave-or-stay decision checklist helps you weigh it.
After F1 clearance
Your bond continues as a normal account. The debt review record and the related default history are removed from your credit report once the bureaus process the certificate; this usually takes days to a few weeks. Check each bureau’s report using our guide on how long the flag takes to drop, and if you plan to move house or refinance later, read what banks check for a home loan after debt review.
The bottom line
If your bond is the only debt left and it is up to date, you may already qualify to leave debt review. Ask your debt counsellor for an F1 assessment rather than assuming you must wait for the bond to be paid off.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get out of debt review if I still have a home loan?
Yes. Section 71 of the National Credit Act allows a clearance certificate when all other debts in the debt review are settled, the home loan is up to date with no arrears, and you can show you can afford its future instalments.
What does F1 mean on my credit report?
F1 is the debt review status that shows all debts in the plan have been settled except a long-term agreement, such as a home loan, that meets the section 71 requirements. It means you are no longer under debt review.
Does my home loan instalment change after clearance?
It can. Once you leave debt review the restructuring order no longer governs the bond, so ask your bank in writing what instalment and interest rate will apply after clearance before you apply. Make sure your budget can carry that amount.
Does the home loan exception apply to vehicle finance?
The exception is for long-term agreements such as mortgages and other agreements prescribed by regulation. Vehicle finance is normally a shorter-term agreement and usually has to be settled before clearance. Confirm with your debt counsellor.
What if my bond is in arrears?
You do not qualify for the home loan exception while there are arrears. Bring the bond up to date first, through your plan or a lump sum, and then ask your debt counsellor to assess you again.
Speak to a registered debt counsellor
Is your bond the only account left in your plan? WhatsApp us your latest PDA statement and we will check whether you already qualify for F1 clearance.
- WhatsApp: WhatsApp 076 982 2112
- Call: 087 012 6412
- Email: help@debt365.co.za
Debt 365 Solutions is an NCR-registered debt counsellor (NCRDC2403) helping South Africans nationwide through a WhatsApp-first process. Learn more about our lawful debt review removal service.
Sources
Last reviewed: 3 October 2026. Reviewed by Chris Shumba, Registered Debt Counsellor, Debt 365 Solutions (NCRDC2403).
This article is general information based on the National Credit Act and NCR guidance. It is not legal advice for your specific situation. Speak to a registered debt counsellor or attorney about your circumstances.
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