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 soon after NSFAS been given reports about some accommodation companies who need NSFAS-funded students to pay a deposit or top-up payment to be able to get entry to the authorised private accommodation.

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

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states the rent will likely be paid out every month for the accommodation supplier (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf in the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance with the NSFAS conditions and terms for personal accommodation companies’ participation on the student accommodation portal.

"The lessor may not need or allow the lessee to pay for a deposit, top-up payments, or every other forms of payment to your lessor, or almost every other person in reference to this agreement, such as payment of lease, although awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall haven't any recourse from the lessee for any default during the payment of rent by NSFAS," the agreement reads.

The here NSFAS conditions and terms for private accommodation providers’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: nsfas status check "Where the NSFAS-funded student is defunded resulting from an incorrect choice by NSFAS, the scholar won't be chargeable for payment of any arrear rent towards the accommodation company, up until get more info finally the date of being defunded."

NSFAS explained that in which the NSFAS-funded student chooses to carry on occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding remaining defunded by NSFAS, the scholar will be responsible for payment of lease to your lessor within the day 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 elect not to nsfas 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 nsfas application delay with any dispute resolution procedure determined by NSFAS for this purpose.
From: SAnews.gov.za