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 gained experiences about some accommodation providers who require NSFAS-funded students to pay a deposit or top-up payment to be able to get entry to the accredited private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation suppliers of the obligatory conditions, as furnished by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Arrangement in between the private accommodation suppliers and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS explained in an announcement on Thursday.

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states the rent will probably be paid out month-to-month into the accommodation provider (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf of the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance using the NSFAS terms and conditions for private accommodation vendors’ participation on the student accommodation portal.

"The lessor may not require or allow the lessee to pay for a deposit, top-up payments, or every other forms of payment on the lessor, or every other person in connection with this arrangement, which include payment of rent, though awaiting payment 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 terms and conditions for private accommodation companies’ participation on the nsfas student accommodation portal also states that: "Where the NSFAS-funded student is defunded as a consequence of an incorrect selection by NSFAS, the scholar won't be accountable for payment of any arrear read more rent for the accommodation company, up until eventually the day of being defunded."

NSFAS spelled read more out that wherever the NSFAS-funded student chooses to continue occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding currently being defunded check here by NSFAS, the scholar is going to be chargeable for payment of hire to your lessor within the day of staying defunded.

"Where the click here 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 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 resolution procedure determined by NSFAS for this purpose.
From: SAnews.gov.za