This is an unpublished draft – work in progress
This text is Part 3 of the articles about the same subject. Part 2 was posted in August 2014 and Part 1 was posted on October 2019. It would be to your benefit to start by reading both parts, or at least Part 2, before reading the rest of this text.
Like the previous articles, if you are reading this text, you are most likely an aspirant entrepreneur, or an investor, who has interest in a student accommodation business. It is good business practice to do proper research when entering a market, rather than rely on random blogs on the internet.
It is important to note that the best effort was made by the author to get accurate information for this article. However, the information provided here was accurate on the date which it was published. Practices and statutory provisions change frequently, and it is the responsibility of interested parties to keep up with those changes, rather than the author of this text.
Below is a 21-step (extremely) rough guide on becoming a Student Accommodation Provider at a University or College, specifically for an institution that participates in the NSFAS Pilot Programme.
| Step | Details | Who | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exist / Register a company | Landlord or Accommodation Provider (AP) | |
| 2 | Find land and build, or buy property (Compliant with DHET Specifications) | Landlord or Accommodation Provider (AP) | |
| 3 | Register on the NSFAS Portal
You may read How to register here |
Accommodation Provider | |
| 4 | Apply for NSFAS Accreditation and pay
The summary of how it works can be read here |
Accommodation Provider | |
| 5 | NSFAS receives application and assigns Accreditor | NSFAS | About 3 working days |
| 6 | NSFAS Accreditor inspects the property and submits report | NSFAS Accreditor | About 28 working days |
| 7 | NSFAS evaluates the accreditation report | NSFAS | About 3 working days |
| 8 |
NSFAS signs off Grade and Accreditation Outcomes, and Issues offer letter to a successful Accommodation Provider |
NSFAS | |
| 9 | AP accepts, or declines, offer letter | Accommodation Provider | |
| 10 | If accepted, NSFAS issues accreditation certificate | NSFAS | |
| 11 | Property becomes available on the system | NSFAS | |
| 12 | Student book a bed | Student | |
| 13 | Students signs lease | Student | |
| 14 | Landlord accepts the booking and co-signs the lease | Accommodation Provider | |
| 15 | NSFAS verifies the student | NSFAS | |
| 16 | Payment request generated | NSFAS | |
| 17 | Payment request approved (registration checks) | NSFAS | |
| 18 | Student is added to accommodation allowance claim | NSFAS | |
| 19 | NSFAS pays SP (monthly) | NSFAS | |
| 20 | SP pays the landlord (monthly) | NSFAS SP | |
| 21 | SP provides reconciliation (monthly) | NSFAS SP | |
For any queries relating to the NSFAS Student Accommodation Pilot Programme, please contact;
Name:
Email:
Number: