Accommodation suppliers urged to stop demanding deposit from NSFAS funded university students
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has urged landlords not to require a deposit or top-up payment from NSFAS-funded students.
This arrives right after NSFAS gained experiences about some accommodation providers who require NSFAS-funded students to pay for a deposit or top-up payment in an effort to get usage of the accredited private accommodation.
Friday, February 7, 2025
"NSFAS reminds accommodation vendors on the obligatory conditions, as supplied by the Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Arrangement in between the private accommodation companies and NSFAS funded students," NSFAS explained in a statement on Thursday.
The Standardised Fixed-Term Lease Agreement states that the rent is going to be paid regular to the accommodation provider (lessor) by NSFAS, on behalf from the lessee (NSFAS funded student), in accordance with the NSFAS conditions and terms for private accommodation providers’ participation on the student accommodation portal.
"The lessor may not need or allow the lessee to pay a deposit, top-up payments, or every other forms of payment towards the lessor, or any other person in reference to this agreement, which includes payment of hire, though awaiting payment from NSFAS. The lessor shall don't have any recourse in opposition to the lessee for any default in the payment of rent by NSFAS," the arrangement reads.
The NSFAS terms and conditions for private accommodation companies’ participation on the student accommodation portal also states that: "Where the NSFAS-funded student is defunded as a consequence of an incorrect selection by NSFAS, the student won't be chargeable for payment of any arrear rent on website the accommodation company, up right until the day of being defunded."
NSFAS stated that in which the NSFAS-funded student chooses to carry on occupying the leased premises, notwithstanding currently being defunded by NSFAS, the scholar will be answerable for payment of lease to your lessor from your date read more of getting 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 check here any rental to the new accommodation provider, and any such rental payments will be for the student own nsfas eligibility criteria 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 student document submission deadline with in accordance with any dispute resolution procedure determined by NSFAS for this purpose.
From: SAnews.gov.za