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 just after NSFAS obtained reports about some accommodation companies who require NSFAS-funded students to pay a deposit or top-up payment so that you can get usage of the approved private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation vendors of your obligatory conditions, as supplied by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement among the private accommodation vendors and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS explained in an announcement on Thursday.

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

"The lessor may not call for or allow the lessee to pay for a deposit, top-up payments, or some other varieties of payment to the lessor, or every other person in connection with this agreement, which includes payment of lease, even though awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall don't have any recourse from the lessee for any default during 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 resulting from an incorrect selection by NSFAS, the coed will not be accountable for payment of any arrear rent for the accommodation company, up right until the day of being defunded."

NSFAS explained that exactly where the NSFAS-funded student chooses to continue occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding becoming defunded by NSFAS, the student will be liable for payment of lease to here your lessor with 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 click here 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 nsfas tvet 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 with in nsfas eligibility criteria accordance with any dispute resolution procedure read more determined by NSFAS for this purpose.
From: SAnews.gov.za