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

This arrives following NSFAS gained experiences about some accommodation companies who demand NSFAS-funded students to pay for a deposit or top-up payment so as to get access to the permitted private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation vendors from the compulsory conditions, as provided by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Settlement between the non-public accommodation vendors and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS stated in a press release on Thursday.

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states the lease is going to be paid month to month towards the accommodation service provider (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf with the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance using the NSFAS terms and conditions 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 every other sorts of payment into the lessor, or another person in reference to this arrangement, which includes payment of hire, even though awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall haven't any recourse from the lessee for any default while more info in read more the payment of rent by NSFAS," the agreement reads.

The NSFAS conditions and terms for private accommodation companies’ participation on the student accommodation portal also read more states that: "Where the NSFAS-funded student is defunded due to an incorrect selection by NSFAS, the coed won't be liable for payment nsfas application delay of any arrear rent on the accommodation provider, up until the date of being defunded."

NSFAS spelled out that exactly where the NSFAS-funded student chooses to carry on occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding currently being defunded by NSFAS, the student are going to be responsible for payment of lease towards the lessor through the date 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 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 more info with in accordance with any dispute resolution procedure determined by NSFAS for this purpose.
From: SAnews.gov.za