Long answer:
Missed a debt review payment? Act quickly. Repeated short- or non-payment can trigger Section 86(10) termination after statutory timelines; creditors may then send a Section 129 notice and proceed to enforcement. Speak to your debt counsellor immediately to catch up, vary your plan, or map a compliant fix.
Missing a monthly repayment under debt review has various consequences. To avoid this, it is important that you disclose your complete situation so that your debt counsellor can work out an affordable and realistic debt repayment plan. Should there be any change in circumstance, you should notify your consultant. Here's a breakdown of what happens and what you should do if you miss a monthly repayment.
Communication with your Debt Counsellor
Inform your debt counsellor as early as possible when you realise that you might miss a payment. At the very latest, you should notify them immediately after you miss a payment. Your debt counsellor can provide guidance on how to manage the situation and communicate with creditors on your behalf.
Consequences
Missing a payment can compromise the legal protection afforded by debt review, potentially exposing you to legal actions from creditors. Creditors may opt to terminate your debt review status, seeking alternative means to recover the owed amounts.
Loss of concessions: Interest/fees can revert to original contract rates; balances grow faster.
Collections & legal risk: Calls resume; after s129, matters may escalate to summons, garnishee orders, or repossessions where applicable.
Admin complexity: You lose single-payment simplicity and face multiple due dates again.
How to Rectify a Missed Payment
Discuss the possibility of rescheduling payments with your debt counsellor to maintain adherence to the debt review process. Your debt counsellor may review your budget and repayment plan, making the necessary adjustments to accommodate any changes in your financial situation.
Catch up arrears (cleanest). Send proof to your counsellor; ask them to confirm with all providers.
Budget re-assessment / variation if income fell or costs rose, submit documents and a re-worked proposal.
Targeted settlements (bonus/tax refund/family help) to close small balances and free monthly cash—coordinate formally to stay compliant.
Legal relief (where appropriate): your counsellor/attorney can seek a variation/confirmation or other court relief if there were procedural issues.
Escalations: If a provider acts unfairly, escalate via the counsellor to the NCR per guidelines
FAQs
Will I get kicked out after one miss?
Not automatically. Move fast to catch up or request a variation via your counsellor.
What is a Section 129 notice?
A formal default notice sent before litigation; it offers remedies and starts a countdown to possible court action. Do not ignore it. Read more
What is Section 86(10) termination?
After at least 60 business days from your debt review application, and if you are in default, a credit provider may give notice to terminate the debt review (to you, the debt counsellor, and the National Credit Regulator).
When can I borrow again?
After completion and issue of a Section 71 debt review clearance certificate (Form 19); the debt review flag is then removed at the bureaux.
Case study
When Samantha missed a payment after a rent hike, her debt counsellor submitted payslips and a new budget, proposed a R450/month temporary reduction, and arranged a R900 catch-up over 2 months. No s86(10) was pursued, the plan was confirmed, and Samantha added a R250 micro-buffer to prevent repeats.
Conclusion - Stay Compliant
Missing a debt review payment is serious but fixable. Contact your counsellor immediately to catch up or vary your plan. Repeated defaults can trigger s86(10) termination after statutory timelines; before any court action, creditors must issue a s129 default notice. Move quickly to restore protection and keep your progress on track. Demonstrate a commitment to adhering to the revised repayment schedule, ensuring future payments are made as agreed. Maintain open lines of communication with your debt counsellor, keeping them informed of any financial changes or challenges. Missing a payment under debt review is a serious matter, but with immediate action and the guidance of a debt counsellor, it is possible to navigate this challenge and maintain your progress towards financial rehabilitation.