Bond Affordability Calculator — South Africa
Find out how much a SA bank will lend you based on your income, expenses and the current prime rate.
Bond Affordability Calculator
Prime rate: 10.50% · Typical investor rate: prime + 0.5% to prime + 1.5%
* SA banks typically apply a 30% debt service ratio (bond repayment ÷ gross income). Investor bonds may require 20–30% deposit. This is an estimate — contact BetterBond for a formal pre-qualification.
🏦 Get Pre-Qualified Before You Make an Offer
A bond originator submits your application to multiple banks simultaneously — often achieving better rates than applying direct. Completely free to use.
Affiliate disclosure: we may receive a referral fee if you apply through these links, at no cost to you.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your gross monthly income (before tax) and net income (after tax). Add any existing bond repayments and other debt (vehicle finance, credit cards). Use 11.00% as the interest rate if you have a good credit profile (prime + 0.5%), or 11.25% if you are unsure.
SA banks use a 30% debt service ratio — all debt repayments cannot exceed 30% of gross income. The calculator shows your maximum bond, monthly repayment, and whether your DSR is within bank thresholds. A result below 28% DSR is considered strong.
Know Your Bond — Now Check Your Yield
Use the Rental Yield Calculator to see if the rental income will cover your bond repayment.
Rental Yield Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this calculator
▸ What is the current prime rate in South Africa?
The current South African prime lending rate is 10.50% as of May 2026. Most investor bonds are priced at prime plus 0.5% to prime plus 1.5%, meaning typical investor rates range from 11.00% to 13.00%.
▸ How do SA banks calculate bond affordability?
South African banks primarily use a debt service ratio (DSR) of 30% — meaning all debt repayments combined cannot exceed 30% of your gross monthly income. They also factor in your credit score, employment type, deposit size, and the property's rental income potential.
▸ Do SA banks consider rental income when assessing investors?
Yes, but conservatively. Most SA banks count only 60–75% of projected rental income in affordability calculations. Some require a signed lease before crediting any rental income at all.
▸ What deposit do I need for an investment property in South Africa?
Most SA banks require a minimum 10–20% deposit for investment properties. Investors with lower credit scores or large existing portfolios may be required to put down 20–30%. A larger deposit also typically results in a better interest rate.