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

This comes following NSFAS obtained reports about some accommodation companies who need NSFAS-funded students to pay a deposit or top-up payment so as to get usage of the authorised private accommodation.

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

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states which the lease is going to be paid out monthly to the accommodation company (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf from the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance using the NSFAS conditions and terms for personal accommodation providers’ participation on the student accommodation portal.

"The lessor may not require or permit the lessee to pay for a deposit, top-up payments, or every other forms of payment on the lessor, or every other person in connection with this arrangement, together with payment of lease, whilst awaiting payment from more info NSFAS. The lessor shall don't have any recourse from the lessee for any default while in the payment of rent by NSFAS," the arrangement reads.

The NSFAS conditions and terms for check here private accommodation providers’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: "Where the NSFAS-funded student is defunded on account of an incorrect decision by NSFAS, the student will not be chargeable for payment of any arrear rent into the accommodation provider, up right up until the day of being defunded."

NSFAS discussed that where by the NSFAS-funded student chooses to carry on occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding being defunded by NSFAS, the scholar is going to be chargeable for payment of lease on the more info lessor with the date 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 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 more info pay any rental to the new check here 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