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

This arrives soon after NSFAS gained reports about some accommodation providers who require NSFAS-funded students to pay a deposit or top-up payment in order to get use of the accepted private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation companies in the obligatory conditions, as provided by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement between the personal accommodation suppliers and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS explained in an announcement on Thursday.

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states that the lease might be paid regular monthly on the accommodation supplier (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf of the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance using the NSFAS terms and conditions for personal accommodation companies’ participation on the student accommodation portal.

"The lessor may not need or allow the lessee to pay a deposit, top-up payments, or another types of payment to your lessor, or any other person in connection with this arrangement, including payment of lease, when awaiting payment from NSFAS. The nsfas allowances lessor shall haven't any recourse against the lessee for any default from the payment of rent by NSFAS," the agreement 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 due to an incorrect decision by NSFAS, the scholar won't be chargeable for payment of any arrear rent to your accommodation service provider, up till the day of being defunded."

NSFAS stated that where the NSFAS-funded student chooses to continue occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding becoming nsfas status check defunded by NSFAS, the student will be accountable for payment of rent to the lessor in the date of remaining 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 read more leased property; check here 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 check here 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