Can you buy a house with a criminal record in South Africa?

Asked by: Dr. Dave Mante  |  Last update: July 9, 2025
Score: 5/5 (57 votes)

Foreigners are free to buy property in South Africa without restrictions, subject to meeting the visa requirements to live and work in the country. Expats with a criminal record are not permitted to buy property.

What are the requirements to buy a house in South Africa?

For all applications
  • A copy of your ID document.
  • A copy of the offer to purchase containing both the seller and purchaser's details (not necessary for a pre-approval)
  • Proof of income. ...
  • Six months' worth of bank statements.

Can I buy a house if my spouse has bad credit in South Africa?

If one spouse has a bad credit score, then the application may be rejected, or the bank will charge higher interest rates. If you are not married in community of property, your husband can buy the property in his name only and, as he is the sole applicant, your credit score will not affect the application.

Can a US citizen buy a house in South Africa?

Legally, it's simple enough to buy a house in South Africa as a non-resident. You have the same access as a South African citizen when buying property, although it won't change your status as a non-resident, and you'll still need a visa whenever you're working or holidaying in the country.

What is the minimum salary to buy a house in South Africa?

As a general rule of thumb, most banks prefer buyers to have a gross monthly income of at least three times the monthly bond repayment amount. This means that if your monthly bond repayment is R10,000, you should ideally have a gross monthly income of R30,000 or more to afford the property comfortably.

The Countries I can (and can't) travel to with a Criminal Record

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How much money do I need to make to buy a $500,000 house?

Key Takeaways. The salary you need to buy a $500,000 home with a 30-year mortgage ranges between about $130,000 and $260,000. A common homebuying rule dictates that your monthly housing payments should not exceed 28% of your gross take-home pay.

What is a livable salary in South Africa?

What a 'livable wage' should be in South Africa – according to researchers. The estimates of a minimum livable monthly income in South Africa for 2024 sits at R15,000 – significantly higher than the average monthly income of minimum wage workers across the country.

Is it worth buying a house in South Africa?

Property can be a great investment if you're looking for long-term growth and a steady income. Owning physical property gives you a tangible asset and the chance to earn rental income, but it also involves dealing with property management and market ups and downs.

Can I live in South Africa as a US citizen?

In general, if you are staying in South Africa for more than 90 days you will require a proper visa to justify the length of your stay in this country. You can move to South Africa from the USA for work, study to reunite with a family member or to retire in this stunning country.

Can I get residency in South Africa if I buy a house?

However, foreign buyers must be aware that owning property in South Africa does not automatically confer residency rights. Those intending to reside in South Africa on a long-term basis must apply for a residence permit.

What is a good credit score to buy a house South Africa?

610+ is the minimum credit score if you want a good chance of home loan approval. Here's a more detailed breakdown: 670+ = excellent. 650 – 669 = good.

What are the benefits of being married in South Africa?

Estate Sharing: Spouses inherit automatically from each other upon death, provided there's no will stating otherwise. The surviving spouse is entitled to a share of the estate, protected from claims by the deceased's family. This share can be a fixed amount or a portion of the estate.

Is it better to buy a house, married or unmarried?

Is it better to be married when buying a house? Marital status doesn't influence whether you qualify for a mortgage, so there is no benefit to being married during the home buying process. However, married couples have more legal protections than unmarried couples in case they separate.

How long is the process of buying a house in South Africa?

Once the offer is accepted, the registration process and paperwork starts and it can take six weeks to three months depending on the type of property. The seller of the home will hire a conveyancing attorney to transfer the home to your name. Meanwhile, the bank hires a bond attorney to register the bond in your name.

Is it hard to get a home loan in South Africa?

As mentioned earlier, international borrowers in South Africa are limited to borrowing 50% of the property's value when they take out a mortgage. This means you'll need a significant deposit to buy a home. Banks will also determine how much you can borrow based on your credit history and income.

How much deposit do you need to buy a house in South Africa?

In most cases, buying a home will require you to put down a deposit that amounts to between 10% and 20% of the home price. The remainder will then be covered by the lender once you've successfully applied for a home loan.

Is it cheaper to live in South Africa than America?

Overall, the cost of living in South Africa is generally lower than in the United States, especially in terms of housing, utilities, and groceries. However, healthcare and transportation costs can vary, and it's important to consider these factors when planning your move.

How long do you have to live in South Africa to get citizenship?

A person in possession of permanent residence who has ordinarily resided in South Africa for at least 5 years after acquiring permanent residence status and who has not been absent from South Africa for more than 90 days per year in any of the 5 years preceding the submission of his or her application for citizenship.

Can I have dual citizenship in the USA and South Africa?

A condition of attaining dual citizenship for all South African citizens aged 18 years or older is that they must apply and be granted permission to retain their South African citizenship prior to the acquisition of a foreign citizenship.

What are the disadvantages of living in South Africa?

Cons of Living in Rural South Africa
  • Limited Job Opportunities. ...
  • Inadequate Infrastructure. ...
  • Limited Educational Resources. ...
  • Social Isolation. ...
  • Healthcare Challenges. ...
  • Slow Technological Advancement. ...
  • Exposure to Wild Animals. ...
  • Minimal Access to Recreational Activities.

Which city is the cheapest to buy property in South Africa?

Johannesburg is the most affordable metro in South Africa for buying or renting property. This is according to agents from the Seeff Property Group. Lighstone data shows that the average transaction price for the metro is roughly R1. 2 million – below the national average of R1.

How much is a normal house in South Africa?

The most recent data shows that the average house price for Q4 2022 was R1 422 992.

Is 50k a month good in South Africa?

Is 50k a month good in South Africa? Yes, earning R50,000 a month is considered very good and allows for a comfortable lifestyle in South Africa, covering all basic needs and affording a higher standard of living​.

How much money do you need to survive in South Africa?

How Much Money Do You Need per Month To Live Comfortably in South Africa? Living comfortably in South Africa will cost about R18,000 (USD$944.47) for a single person or R48,000 (USD$2,518.60) for a family of four in Durban.

What is considered a big salary in South Africa?

50% of polled individuals believe you need to earn anywhere between R1 million and R4 million per annum to be considered rich. Following this, 21% believe you need to earn at least R8 million or more to be considered rich in South Africa.