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

This comes soon after NSFAS gained reports about some accommodation suppliers who require NSFAS-funded students to pay for a deposit or top-up payment so as to get entry to the authorised private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation companies of your compulsory conditions, as supplied by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement involving the private accommodation companies and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS explained in an announcement on Thursday.

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states the rent will likely be paid out regular monthly into the accommodation service provider (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf from the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance using the NSFAS terms and conditions for private accommodation suppliers’ participation on the student accommodation portal.

"The lessor may not need or permit the lessee to pay a deposit, top-up payments, or some other forms of payment towards the lessor, or some other person in reference to this arrangement, together with payment of rent, even though awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall don't have any recourse in opposition to the lessee for any default inside the payment of rent by NSFAS," the arrangement reads.

The NSFAS conditions and terms for private accommodation suppliers’ 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 scholar won't be chargeable for payment of any arrear rent on the accommodation company, up until eventually the date of being defunded."

NSFAS explained that where by the click here NSFAS-funded student chooses to continue occupying get more info the leased premises, notwithstanding being defunded by NSFAS, the student will be answerable for payment of lease to the lessor within the date of being 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 click here 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 get more info 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 read more by NSFAS for this purpose.
From: SAnews.gov.za