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

This arrives following NSFAS received stories about some accommodation vendors who require NSFAS-funded students to pay for a deposit or top-up payment in order to get use of the accredited private accommodation.

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

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states that the rent is going to be paid regular to your accommodation service provider (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf from the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance with the NSFAS conditions and terms for personal accommodation providers’ participation on the student accommodation portal.

"The lessor may not need or permit the lessee to pay a deposit, top-up payments, or another kinds of payment towards the lessor, or almost every other person in reference to this agreement, such as payment of rent, even though awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall have no recourse versus the lessee for any default during the payment of rent by NSFAS," the agreement reads.

The NSFAS conditions and terms for private accommodation companies’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: "Where the NSFAS-funded click here student is defunded as a result of an incorrect selection by NSFAS, the scholar won't be liable for payment of any arrear rent into the accommodation provider, up till the day of being defunded."

NSFAS defined that the place the NSFAS-funded student chooses to carry on occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding getting defunded by NSFAS, the student are going to be responsible for payment of rent into the more info lessor with the date of remaining defunded.

"Where the student is defunded by NSFAS due to a misrepresentation by here 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, check here 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, more info must be dealt with in accordance with any dispute resolution procedure determined by NSFAS for this purpose.
From: SAnews.gov.za