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

This arrives after NSFAS received reports about some accommodation suppliers who demand NSFAS-funded students to pay for a deposit or top-up payment in an effort to get use of the permitted private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation vendors from the obligatory conditions, as supplied by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement in between the personal accommodation providers and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS said in a press release on Thursday.

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

"The lessor may not demand or allow the lessee to pay a deposit, top-up payments, or almost every other forms of payment on the lessor, or almost every other person in connection with this agreement, including payment of lease, even though awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall haven't nsfas academic pathways any recourse towards the lessee for any default here while in the payment of rent by NSFAS," the arrangement reads.

The NSFAS conditions and get more info terms for private accommodation providers’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: "Where the read more NSFAS-funded student is defunded resulting from an incorrect choice by NSFAS, the coed will not be accountable for payment of any arrear rent for the accommodation supplier, up until eventually the day of being defunded."

NSFAS discussed that where by the NSFAS-funded student chooses to carry on occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding remaining defunded by NSFAS, the scholar are going to be answerable for payment of hire to your lessor within the day of currently being 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 without the prior approval of NSFAS, NSFAS may elect not to nsfas student allowances 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