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

This comes just after NSFAS obtained stories about some accommodation vendors who need NSFAS-funded students to pay for a deposit or top-up payment as a way to get entry to the permitted private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation suppliers on the compulsory conditions, as provided by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement concerning the private accommodation providers and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS reported in a statement on Thursday.

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states the lease will likely be paid out month-to-month to the accommodation supplier (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf from the 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 have to have or allow the lessee to pay a deposit, top-up payments, or another kinds of payment towards the lessor, or another person in connection with this agreement, which include payment of rent, though awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall don't have any recourse against the lessee for any default from the payment of rent by NSFAS," the agreement reads.

The NSFAS conditions and terms click here for private accommodation providers’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: "Where the NSFAS-funded here student is defunded as a consequence of an incorrect choice by NSFAS, the scholar will not be responsible for payment of any arrear rent on the accommodation service provider, up until finally the date of being defunded."

NSFAS discussed that exactly where the NSFAS-funded student chooses read more to carry on occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding being defunded by NSFAS, the student are going to be accountable for payment of lease into the lessor in the day of remaining 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 get more info 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 nsfas allowances 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