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

This arrives right after NSFAS been given experiences about some accommodation providers who need NSFAS-funded students to pay a deposit or top-up payment so as to get use of the accepted private accommodation.

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

The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states that the lease will probably be paid month to month into the accommodation provider (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf of the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance using the NSFAS conditions and terms for private accommodation vendors’ participation on the student accommodation portal.

"The lessor may not require or allow the lessee to pay a deposit, top-up payments, or some other kinds of payment on the lessor, or every other person in reference to this agreement, including payment of lease, whilst awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall haven't any recourse versus the lessee for any default from 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 states that: "Where the NSFAS-funded student is defunded get more info as a result of an incorrect decision by NSFAS, the coed won't be get more info responsible for payment of any arrear rent towards the accommodation service provider, up until eventually the date of being defunded."

NSFAS discussed that where by the NSFAS-funded student chooses to continue occupying the leased nsfas student document submission deadline premises, notwithstanding currently being defunded by NSFAS, the scholar will be chargeable for payment of hire towards the lessor through the day of remaining 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 nsfas status check with in accordance with any dispute resolution procedure determined by NSFAS for this purpose.
From: more info SAnews.gov.za