Johannesburg – The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has engaged landlords to prevent evictions of students whose rent was outstanding.
In a statement on Wednesday, NSFAS said: “Administrator, Mr. Freeman Nomvalo, has been briefed about challenges at the Central Johannesburg College (CJC) and the Sedibeng TVET College regarding threats of eviction of students by landlords”.
Earlier this week Urban Circle, which offers student accommodation, warned of possible evictions.
In a letter, Urban Circle said: “Dear Student, As of July 15, 2024, we have not received any payment from NSFAS for rent due from February to July 2024.
“NSFAS had previously undertaken to make a lump sum payment for February to June by June 25, 2024, and continue monthly payments thereafter. Unfortunately, this has not happened.
“Please be advised that unless we receive an update from NSFAS by 5:00 pm today, July 15, 2024, we will be forced to suspend access to all students who accounts are in arrears starting at 9:00 am, tomorrow, (16 July 2024).
“We have already contacted NSFAS and CJC directly regarding this issue.”
Urban Circle warned that it reserved its rights to the fullest extent to pursue formal eviction proceedings if the situation was not resolved.
However, NSFAS said it had engaged landlords of affected institutions to tackle the problems of “verification of data”, which has inevitably delayed rent payments.
Some landlords accommodate students without the confirmation of funding by NSFAS.
In some instances, NSFAS said landlords had provided incorrect data, which delayed the payment process.
“This often relates to incorrect Identity Numbers or the institutions in which students are registered. As a result, the integrity of data provided is questionable,” explained NSFAS.
To remedy the situation, NSFAS said it has been working with landlords to provide a list of all students in their respective properties to enable it to verify each student.
“This therefore means that each case will be dealt with on an individual basis,” said NSFAS.
“In instances where funding has been confirmed, NSFAS has been paying landlords.
“NSFAS would like to call upon landlords to stop evicting students without first verifying if they are NSFAS-funded”.
In cases where the accommodated students were NSFAS-funded, the landlords were advised to submit such claims for settlement.
Landlords were urged to continue engaging NSFAS using this dedicated email: NSFASAccomProv@nsfas.org.za.
NSFAS said it remains committed to solving legitimate claims and landlords will be paid in the next payment cycle.
“This process of verification and payment of accommodation providers could be concluded efficiently through the collaboration of landlords, students and the institutions where students are enrolled,” said NSFAS.
