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 right after NSFAS gained stories about some accommodation companies who require NSFAS-funded students to pay for a deposit or top-up payment as a way to get access to the authorised private accommodation.

Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation vendors in the obligatory conditions, as furnished by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Arrangement between the private accommodation companies and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS stated in a statement on Thursday.

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states the lease are going to be paid month to month for the accommodation company (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf with the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance using the NSFAS terms and conditions for private accommodation vendors’ 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 sorts of payment into the lessor, or every other person in connection with this arrangement, together with payment of lease, when awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall haven't any recourse in opposition to the lessee for any default from the payment of rent by NSFAS," the agreement reads.

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

NSFAS stated that exactly where the NSFAS-funded student chooses to continue occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding getting defunded by NSFAS, the student read more are going to be accountable for payment of lease to your lessor from your day of getting defunded.

"Where the student is defunded by NSFAS due to a misrepresentation by the lessee/guardian at check here 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 nsfas to pay any rental to the new accommodation provider, and any such nsfas academic pathways 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