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 received experiences about some accommodation suppliers who require NSFAS-funded students to pay for a deposit or top-up payment so that you can get entry to the authorised private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation providers with the obligatory conditions, as provided by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Arrangement in between the personal accommodation vendors and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS mentioned in a press release on Thursday.

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states that the lease will likely be paid out regular on the accommodation company (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf in 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 call for or allow the lessee to pay a deposit, top-up payments, or any other forms of payment to the lessor, or another person in reference to this agreement, which includes payment of lease, even though awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall more info haven't any recourse versus the lessee for any default inside the payment of rent by NSFAS," the agreement reads.

The NSFAS conditions and terms for private accommodation suppliers’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: "Where here the NSFAS-funded student is defunded as a result of an incorrect choice by NSFAS, the student will not be liable for payment of any arrear rent for the accommodation company, up until finally the day of being defunded."

NSFAS defined that where by the NSFAS-funded student chooses to carry on occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding becoming website defunded by NSFAS, the student is going to be answerable for payment of lease into the lessor within the day of remaining defunded.

"Where the student is defunded by NSFAS due to a misrepresentation by the lessee/guardian at any read more 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 nsfas 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