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

This comes just after NSFAS been given experiences about some accommodation suppliers who need NSFAS-funded students to pay for a deposit or top-up payment as a way to get use of the authorised private accommodation.

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

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

"The lessor may not call for or allow the lessee to pay a deposit, top-up payments, or almost every other forms of payment for the lessor, or almost every other person in reference to this agreement, like payment of hire, even though awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall don't have any recourse versus the lessee for any default from get more info the payment of rent by NSFAS," the arrangement reads.

The NSFAS terms and conditions for private accommodation vendors’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: "Where the NSFAS-funded student is defunded as a consequence of an incorrect decision by NSFAS, the student won't be responsible for payment of any arrear rent to the accommodation supplier, up until eventually the date of being defunded."

NSFAS described that wherever the NSFAS-funded student chooses to carry on occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding being defunded by NSFAS, the scholar will be liable for payment more info of hire nsfas towards the lessor through the day of becoming 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 nsfas status check 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 nsfas application delay 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