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

This arrives right after NSFAS gained stories about some accommodation companies who require NSFAS-funded students to pay a deposit or top-up payment so as to get use of the permitted private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation suppliers from the obligatory conditions, as supplied by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement in between the non-public accommodation suppliers and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS mentioned in a statement on Thursday.

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states the rent will be paid month to month to the accommodation company (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf from the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance with the NSFAS conditions and terms for personal 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 almost every other forms of payment towards the lessor, or every other person in connection with this arrangement, including payment of lease, when awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall don't have any recourse in opposition to the read more lessee for any default inside the payment of rent by NSFAS," the agreement reads.

The NSFAS terms and website conditions more info for private accommodation providers’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: "Where the NSFAS-funded student is defunded because of an incorrect selection by NSFAS, the coed won't be answerable for payment of any arrear rent to the accommodation service provider, up until eventually the day of being defunded."

NSFAS described that wherever the NSFAS-funded student chooses to carry on occupying the more info leased premises, notwithstanding remaining defunded by NSFAS, the scholar will be liable for payment of hire into the lessor from 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 nsfas student allowances 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