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

This comes immediately after NSFAS acquired stories about some accommodation providers who need NSFAS-funded students to pay a deposit or top-up payment as a way to get entry to the accepted private accommodation.

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

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states which the rent will probably be paid out every month on the accommodation provider (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf with the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance with 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 for a deposit, top-up payments, or any other kinds of payment towards the lessor, or every other person in nsfas student allowances reference to this arrangement, like payment of rent, although awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall haven't any recourse towards the lessee for any default while in the payment of rent by NSFAS," the arrangement reads.

The nsfas eligibility criteria NSFAS terms and conditions for private accommodation suppliers’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: "Where website the NSFAS-funded student is defunded as a result of an incorrect selection by NSFAS, the coed will not be chargeable for payment of any arrear rent on the accommodation provider, up until the date of being defunded."

NSFAS explained that in which the NSFAS-funded student chooses to continue occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding being defunded by NSFAS, the student are going to get more info be liable for payment of hire on the lessor within the day of staying defunded.

"Where website 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 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, must be dealt with in accordance with any dispute resolution procedure determined by NSFAS for this purpose.
From: SAnews.gov.za