Your income & expenses
SA banks assess affordability based on gross monthly income
Monthly income
R
R
Banks typically count 50–80% of rental income
Monthly debt repayments
R
R
R
R
Bond terms
SA banks typically use 28–33%. Conservative: 28%. Generous lender: 35%.
Affordability results
Based on SA banking lending criteria
Maximum monthly bond payment
R 0
Max bond you qualify for
R 0
Maximum property price (10% deposit)
R 0
Deposit needed (10%)
R 0
Existing debt repayments
R 0
Available for bond (after debt)
R 0
Affordability ratio
0%
Income allocation breakdown
💡 Improve your affordability: Paying off a R500/month credit card before applying for a bond increases your qualifying amount by roughly R50,000–R70,000. Clear short-term debt first.
How SA banks calculate affordability
The 30% rule
SA banks generally limit your total monthly debt repayments (including the new bond) to 30% of your gross monthly income. This is called the debt-to-income (DTI) ratio or instalment-to-income ratio.
Nett income affordability
Some banks also assess affordability based on your net (after-tax) income and living expenses. They may require bank statements for 3–6 months to verify your actual spending patterns.