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 soon after NSFAS obtained experiences about some accommodation companies who need NSFAS-funded students to pay for a deposit or top-up payment in order to get usage of the approved private accommodation.

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

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states which the lease are going to be paid month-to-month for the accommodation supplier (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf in the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance using the NSFAS terms and conditions for private accommodation companies’ participation on the student accommodation portal.

"The lessor may not require or allow the lessee to pay for a deposit, top-up payments, or almost every other forms of payment towards the lessor, or some other person in connection with this arrangement, which include payment of rent, even though awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall have no recourse towards the click here lessee for any default inside the payment of rent by NSFAS," the agreement reads.

The NSFAS terms and conditions for private accommodation vendors’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: "Where the NSFAS-funded student is defunded because get more info of an incorrect selection by NSFAS, the scholar will not be chargeable for payment of any arrear rent towards the accommodation supplier, up until finally the day of being defunded."

NSFAS explained that where the NSFAS-funded student chooses to continue occupying the leased premises, more info notwithstanding currently being defunded by NSFAS, the student are going to be answerable for payment of hire towards the lessor through 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 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 get more info elect not read more 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