The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has urged landlords to not require a deposit or top-up payment from NSFAS-funded students.

This comes right after NSFAS acquired stories about some accommodation companies who need NSFAS-funded students to pay a deposit or top-up payment in order to get entry to the permitted private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation vendors in the obligatory conditions, as provided by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Arrangement concerning the private accommodation providers and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS mentioned in a press release on Thursday.

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states which the lease will be paid monthly into the accommodation supplier (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf on the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance with the NSFAS conditions and terms for private accommodation suppliers’ participation on the student accommodation portal.

"The lessor may not have to have or allow the lessee to pay for a deposit, top-up payments, or any other types of payment towards the lessor, or some other person in connection with this agreement, which include payment of hire, although awaiting payment click here from NSFAS. The lessor shall don't have any recourse versus the lessee for any default while in the payment of rent by NSFAS," the arrangement reads.

The NSFAS conditions and terms for private accommodation companies’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: "Where the NSFAS-funded student is defunded as a consequence of an incorrect choice by NSFAS, the coed will not be responsible for payment of any arrear rent into the accommodation supplier, up right until the date of being defunded."

NSFAS discussed that where the NSFAS-funded student chooses to continue occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding currently being defunded by NSFAS, the click here scholar are going to be accountable for payment of lease on the lessor within the day of becoming defunded.

"Where the student is defunded by NSFAS due to a misrepresentation by the lessee/guardian at any stage, the student must immediately vacate the leased property; and will be liable for payment of all rent due to the accommodation provider.

"Where the student moves, accommodation providers without the prior approval of NSFAS, NSFAS read more may elect not to pay any rental to the new accommodation provider, and any such rental payments will be for the student own account," the scheme said.

The scheme emphasised that any dispute arising between the parties regarding the interpretation or implementation of the agreement, must be dealt with in accordance with any dispute read more resolution procedure determined by NSFAS for this purpose.
From: nsfas student allowances SAnews.gov.za