Is Debt Review Removal Free? What Lawful Exit Costs | Debt365
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Home › Blog › Leaving Debt Review
Is Debt Review Removal Free? Lawful Costs vs Upfront ‘Removal’ Charges
By Chris Shumba, Registered Debt Counsellor (NCRDC2403) · Updated 3 October 2026 · 5 min read
Quick answer: Getting a debt review clearance certificate carries no separate certificate fee under the NCR’s fee guideline. You must have settled your debts and kept aftercare fees up to date. Court routes such as rescission involve attorney’s fees, and NCR complaints about fraud cost nothing. Upfront ‘removal’ fees before any service is performed are prohibited by section 126A(3).
Who this is for: Consumers comparing the cost of leaving debt review.
Key takeaways
The clearance certificate itself has no separate fee in the NCR fee guideline.
- What you do pay is the debt itself and any outstanding aftercare fees.
- Transfers must not duplicate fees you have already paid.
- Upfront payment before a removal-type service is fully performed is prohibited.
The short answer
The lawful way out of debt review is far cheaper than most “removal” adverts suggest. The clearance certificate itself carries no separate fee under the NCR’s debt counselling fee guideline. What you pay for is the debt you owe, plus any aftercare fees that are still outstanding. Paying thousands upfront to a “removal” company is the expensive option, and frequently the one that does not work.
What each lawful exit costs
Exit route What you pay What you don’t pay
Form 19 clearance (all debts settled) The remaining debt; any aftercare arrears No separate certificate fee in the NCR guideline
F1 clearance (home loan remaining) Other debts settled; bond kept up to date No separate certificate fee
Early settlement Settlement amounts (sometimes discounted) No “removal” fee
Transfer to a new counsellor Fees for work the old counsellor completed, if unpaid No duplicate application, restructuring or legal fees
Not over-indebted / court rejection (before an order) A regulated administration fee may apply No “removal” fee
Rescission (narrow court remedy) Attorney’s fees; possible legal costs No guaranteed outcome
Fraudulent placement Nothing to lodge an NCR complaint No “removal” fee
Where the fees in debt review actually come from
For context, the NCR’s 2018 fee guideline regulates the main debt counselling fees, including:
- a small application fee,
- a capped restructuring fee when your proposal is accepted,
- monthly aftercare fees based on your instalment and capped by the guideline, which stop once the clearance certificate is issued, and
- legal fees for the court process.
None of these is a “removal” fee. Fee amounts are regulated and can be revised; your debt counsellor must disclose them to you.
Why upfront “removal” fees are a warning sign
The NCR’s Circular 2 of 2025 warns about operators charging up to R10,000 upfront for debt review removal, often without delivering. It reminds service providers that section 126A(3) of the NCA prohibits receiving payment before such services are fully performed and requires a prescribed disclosure statement. For the full list of warning signs, read debt review removal scams: 9 red flags.
A cost comparison
Two consumers, each with R14,000 left across three accounts:
Consumer A: pays a removal company Consumer B: lawful clearance
Upfront fee R6,500 R0
Debt still owed R14,000 (unchanged) R14,000 settled over 4 months
Advised to stop payments? Yes, so arrears and legal action risk No; protection stays
Outcome Flag still on record; protection lost Form 19 issued; flag and related defaults removed
Total cost R6,500 + R14,000 + possible legal costs R14,000
What Debt365 charges
[EDITOR: Insert Debt365’s published fee position here before publishing. For example, whether clearance work for existing clients and transferred clients carries any fee, and confirm that no payment is taken before a service is fully performed, as section 126A(3) requires.]
Whatever route applies to you, Debt365 (NCRDC2403) will put the costs in writing before you commit.
The bottom line
Lawful debt review exit is mostly about finishing, or speeding up, what you already owe. If someone wants a large fee before doing anything, walk away and check with a registered debt counsellor first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay to be removed from debt review?
Not for the clearance certificate itself; the NCR fee guideline does not include a separate certificate fee. You must settle the debts in your plan and be up to date with aftercare fees. Court routes, such as rescission, involve legal costs.
How much does a debt review clearance certificate cost?
There is no separate fee for issuing the certificate in the NCR’s debt counselling fee guideline. Aftercare fees must be up to date, and they stop once the certificate is issued.
Why do some companies charge R5,000 to R10,000 to remove debt review?
The NCR’s Circular 2 of 2025 warns about operators charging up to R10,000 upfront for ‘removal’ that usually does not happen. Section 126A(3) of the NCA prohibits taking payment before such services are fully performed.
Does transferring debt counsellors cost extra?
The receiving counsellor may not charge application, restructuring or legal fees you have already paid. Fees owed for work the previous counsellor completed may need to be settled.
Is it free to report fraudulent debt review placement?
Yes. Lodging a complaint with the National Credit Regulator costs nothing.
Speak to a registered debt counsellor
Want a clear, written breakdown of what your exit will cost? WhatsApp Debt365 and we’ll send it before you commit to anything.
- 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
- NCR Circular 2 of 2025 – Debt Review Removal%20(002).pdf)
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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