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 right after NSFAS been given reports about some accommodation suppliers who require NSFAS-funded students to pay a deposit or top-up payment as a way to get access to the accredited private accommodation.

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

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

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

The NSFAS conditions and terms for read more private accommodation suppliers’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: "Where the NSFAS-funded student is defunded because of an incorrect decision by NSFAS, the scholar won't be accountable for payment of any arrear rent on the accommodation service provider, up until eventually the day of being defunded."

NSFAS stated that in which the NSFAS-funded student chooses to continue occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding staying defunded by NSFAS, the scholar is going to be responsible for payment of lease on the lessor with the day of currently being defunded.

"Where the student is defunded by NSFAS due to a nsfas 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 more info 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 nsfas eligibility criteria 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 read more for this purpose.
From: SAnews.gov.za