The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has urged landlords never to require a deposit or top-up payment from NSFAS-funded students.

This arrives just after NSFAS gained reports about some accommodation companies who require NSFAS-funded students to pay for a deposit or top-up payment so as to get entry to the accepted private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation providers of the compulsory conditions, as furnished by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement in between the non-public accommodation companies and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS said in a statement on Thursday.

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states that the lease might be paid out month to month on the accommodation provider (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf of your lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance using the NSFAS terms and conditions for personal accommodation companies’ participation on the student accommodation portal.

"The lessor may not require or allow the lessee to pay a deposit, top-up payments, or another kinds of payment to the lessor, or almost every other person in connection with this agreement, such as payment of lease, although awaiting payment from NSFAS. more info The lessor shall have no recourse towards the lessee for any default from the payment of rent by get more info NSFAS," the agreement reads.

The NSFAS terms and conditions for private accommodation suppliers’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: "Where nsfas status check the NSFAS-funded student is defunded because of an incorrect selection by NSFAS, the scholar will not be responsible for payment of any arrear rent into the accommodation provider, up until eventually the day of being defunded."

NSFAS described that where by the NSFAS-funded student chooses to continue occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding being defunded by NSFAS, the student is going to be responsible for payment of lease towards the lessor through the day of staying 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 website NSFAS, NSFAS 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 nsfas login any dispute resolution procedure determined by NSFAS for this purpose.
From: SAnews.gov.za