How Much Can I Borrow?

Every registered South African lender has to do an affordability assessment before lending to you. This tool follows the same approach: net income minus your living expenses and existing debt repayments gives your spare monthly budget, which then sets how much you could borrow.

How this calculator works

• Your discretionary income = net salary − living expenses − current debt repayments.
• The tool assumes you only commit a share of that spare income (you choose the buffer, 70% by default).
• That monthly budget is converted into a loan amount for your chosen rate and term.

Worked example

With R15,000 take-home pay, R8,000 expenses and R2,000 debt repayments, R5,000 is spare. At 70% (R3,500 a month) over 36 months at 24%, you could afford about R89,000.

FAQs

Is this what a lender will approve?

Not necessarily. Lenders also look at your credit record, employment and the minimum expense norms set in the Affordability Assessment Regulations. Treat this as a ceiling, not a promise.

What counts as living expenses?

Rent or bond, transport, groceries, school fees, utilities, insurance, cellphone and support for dependants. Leaving costs out only makes the estimate less useful.