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

This comes soon after NSFAS been given experiences about some accommodation vendors who require NSFAS-funded students to pay for a deposit or top-up payment to be able to get usage of the authorized private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation providers of your obligatory conditions, as provided by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement in between the non-public accommodation companies and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS mentioned in an announcement on Thursday.

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states that the lease will probably be paid month to month to the accommodation supplier (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf in the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance with the NSFAS conditions and terms for private accommodation vendors’ participation on the student accommodation portal.

"The lessor may not require or allow the lessee to pay a deposit, top-up payments, or any other kinds of payment into the lessor, or any other person in connection with this arrangement, which include payment of lease, though awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall don't have any recourse in opposition to the lessee for any default during the payment of rent by NSFAS," the agreement reads.

The NSFAS conditions and terms for private accommodation companies’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states click here that: "Where the NSFAS-funded student is defunded because of an incorrect selection by NSFAS, the scholar will not be liable for payment of any arrear rent for the accommodation service provider, up until eventually the date of being defunded."

NSFAS spelled out that where the NSFAS-funded here student chooses to continue occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding staying defunded by NSFAS, the scholar will be read more chargeable for payment of lease towards the lessor from your day of currently being defunded.

"Where the student is defunded by NSFAS due to a misrepresentation by the lessee/guardian here 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 more info 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