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 following NSFAS been given stories about some accommodation companies who require NSFAS-funded students to pay a deposit or top-up payment so as to get access to the accredited private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation providers in the obligatory conditions, as furnished by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Settlement in between the private accommodation providers and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS stated in a statement on Thursday.

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states that the rent will likely be paid regular monthly to your accommodation company (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf of your lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance using the NSFAS conditions and terms for private accommodation providers’ participation on the student accommodation portal.

"The lessor may not need or permit the lessee to pay for a deposit, top-up payments, or another forms of payment for the lessor, or almost every other person in reference to get more info this arrangement, including payment of rent, whilst awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall have no recourse in opposition to the lessee for any default while in the payment of rent by NSFAS," the agreement reads.

The NSFAS terms and conditions for private accommodation providers’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: "Where the NSFAS-funded student is defunded on account of an incorrect choice by NSFAS, the get more info student will not be liable for payment of any arrear rent towards the accommodation provider, up till the day of being defunded."

NSFAS discussed that the place the NSFAS-funded student chooses to continue occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding staying defunded by NSFAS, the student are going to be chargeable for payment of rent to your lessor through the date 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 here payment of all rent due to the accommodation provider.

"Where the student moves, accommodation providers without the prior website 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 read more 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