The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has urged landlords never to demand a deposit or top-up payment from NSFAS-funded students.

This comes soon after NSFAS been given stories about some accommodation providers who demand NSFAS-funded students to pay a deposit or top-up payment in an effort to get entry to the authorised private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation suppliers in the obligatory conditions, as supplied by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Settlement concerning the personal accommodation vendors and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS reported in a press release on Thursday.

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

"The lessor may not require or allow the lessee to pay a deposit, top-up payments, or every other forms of payment into the lessor, or another person in reference to this agreement, which includes payment of lease, although awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall have no recourse against the lessee for any default in the payment of rent by NSFAS," the arrangement reads.

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

NSFAS discussed that where the NSFAS-funded student chooses to continue occupying the leased premises, nsfas university allowances notwithstanding currently being defunded by NSFAS, the scholar are going to be chargeable for read more payment of hire for the lessor within the date of getting 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 website 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 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 click here with in accordance with any dispute nsfas student allowances resolution procedure determined by NSFAS for this purpose.
From: SAnews.gov.za