NSFAS Student Accommodation Requirements 2026

NSFAS student accommodation requirements 2026 (what first time landlords must know before they register).

If you are new and thinking about registering your property as NSFAS student accommodation in 2026, then you must read this guide before you do anything. This article explains the full NSFAS Student Accommodation Requirements 2026 in clear and simple language so that first time landlords understand what NSFAS expects. Every year, many landlords believe the process is easy. They upload pictures, wait for students, and expect NSFAS to pay them. The truth is different. NSFAS has strict 2026 accommodation rules set by the Department of Higher Education and Training, and if your building does not meet these standards, you will not be accredited.

This guide is written for people who want to start renting to NSFAS funded students for the first time and need to know exactly what is required. It covers the full list of NSFAS Student Accommodation Requirements for 2026, including legal documents, property compliance rules, zoning, bedroom sizes, kitchen standards, bathroom ratios, inspection procedures, and financial rules. It also explains common mistakes that cause new landlords to get rejected, and hidden risks that are not mentioned on the official NSFAS portal.

Inside this guide you will find:

• How NSFAS accreditation works step by step
• The full list of documents you must upload during registration
• The real 2026 building standards for kitchens, bathrooms, rooms, and safety
• What NSFAS inspectors check, and why most landlords fail
• The 5 percent NSFAS deduction that many landlords do not know about
• What is not written in the official notices, but can destroy your business
• A complete 2026 checklist that you can print and use before you register

This information is essential for 2026 because the DHET is enforcing the Minimum Norms and Standards more strictly than before. Universities are being forced to remove non compliant landlords from their accreditation lists, and NSFAS will no longer allow students to book accommodation that does not meet the standards. This means:

• There will be more inspections
• There will be more rejections
• There will be more paperwork
• Only compliant landlords will receive students and funding

If you follow this full guide from top to bottom, you will not only understand the rules, but you will also know the hidden problems most landlords discover too late. Think of this as your preparation handbook before you spend a cent.

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The most common reasons NSFAS student accommodation applications will get rejected in 2026

Reason for Rejection	Explanation
Missing documents	If even one required document is not uploaded, NSFAS will not process your application.
Unverified CIPC details	Company name or registration number does not match what appears on CIPC records.
No valid Tax Clearance Certificate	Expired, invalid, or missing SARS tax clearance.
Wrong B-BBEE document	Uploading an affidavit that is not signed or not the correct enterprise category.
No approved building plans	If your property does not have municipal approved plans, accreditation stops immediately.
No valid electrical compliance certificate	NSFAS will not approve any building without an active COC.
No fire compliance proof	Missing certificates or expired service reports for fire extinguishers and fire safety equipment.
Incorrect zoning	Property not zoned for student housing or no proof of rezoning application submitted.
Rooms too small	Single rooms below 8m² or double rooms below 14m². Inspectors measure.
Bathroom ratios not compliant	Not enough toilets, showers or basins per student.
No proof of ownership	Title deed not uploaded, or lease agreement without landlord permission letter.
Unclear or low-quality photos	NSFAS rejects blurry, incomplete, or misleading property images.
False information	Any false statement (even small) leads to immediate rejection and blacklisting.
Failed inspection	Property does not meet DHET Minimum Norms and Standards during on-site inspection.
No internet access	Modern NSFAS rules require reasonable study access to internet.
Unsafe location	Property further than 20 km without approved transport plan.
Fire equipment not serviced	Fire extinguishers older than 12 months service date.
No disability accommodation plan	No basic universal access plan for students with disabilities.
Outstanding municipal accounts	Some universities reject landlords with unpaid municipal rates.
Criminal history of owner	If the listed landlord has fraud or corruption records, accreditation may be denied.

Important Downloadable Documents

Below are the most important documents you should download regarding NSFAS student accommodation registration for 2026:

1. The NSFAS Registration Steps

When the portal opens, you must:

1.1 Sign up

1.2 Verify your email

You must confirm your account through the link sent to your mailbox.

1.3 Submit your personal or company information

If it is a company, the company details must match CIPC documents.

1.4 Upload your property pictures and details

This includes address, photos, number of beds, and property category.

1.5 Pay your once-off fee based on number of beds

Tier	Beds	Fee per bed
1	1 to 20 beds	R200 per bed
2	21 to 50 beds	R150 per bed
3	51 to 100 beds	R125 per bed
4	100+ beds	R100 per bed

You pay only once for submission, not per year.

1.6 NSFAS verification

NSFAS will check your documents. If something is missing, they will ask again. This delays everything, so ensure everything is correct the first time.

1.7 Inspection

An NSFAS accreditation agent will contact you to schedule a full inspection of the property to see if it meets the DHET norms and standards.

1.8 Listing

If you pass, your property becomes visible to students on the NSFAS accommodation portal.

2. Ongoing Lease and Money Management

Once you are accredited:

2.1 Lease agreements are signed on the portal

No handwritten contracts allowed.

2.2 You manage the full lease lifecycle online

Cancellations, extensions, and warnings are all done on the portal.

2.3 The platform sends auto-invoices to NSFAS

You will not send invoices manually.

2.4 You can see statements and all transactions

Useful for accounting and tax.

2.5 You can report damages and misconduct

Everything becomes part of the student’s profile.

2.6 You can issue warnings from inside the system

You need proper proof for eviction.

2.7 NSFAS charges you 5 percent every month

This is a licence fee. They take it automatically before sending your money.
Many landlords do not know this until after sign-up.

3. 2026 Required Documents

(accepted by NSFAS)

3.1 B-BBEE Certificate

Any ONE of:

Sworn Affidavit (Exempted Micro Enterprise)
Sworn Affidavit (Qualifying Small Enterprise)
CIPC generated B-BBEE certificate
SANAS accredited B-BBEE certificate

3.2 Company Registration

Must be a CIPC certificate for:

NPC
Pty Ltd
Ltd
Trust
Inc
SOC Ltd
External or Foreign company

3.3 Proof of Address

Must show your name and physical address. Acceptable documents include:

Municipal bill
Bank statement
Municipal councillor letter
Tribal authority letter
Active lease agreement
SARS official document
TV licence renewal letter
Subscription TV statement
Insurance policy with FSB number
Medical aid statement
Security company bill (with PSIRA number)
Home loan statement
NCR registered credit provider statement
Official employer letter
Affidavit

3.4 Proof of ID

Any ONE of:

Green ID book
Both sides of smart card
Valid passport
Driver’s licence
Temporary ID

3.5 Proxy Document

Only needed if you are NOT the owner. It must state you are authorised to act.

3.6 Tax Clearance Certificate

Must be VALID and issued by SARS.

4. Property-specific Documents

(required for every building)

4.1 Building Plans

Must be approved and stamped by municipality.

4.2 Electrical Certificate of Compliance

Must be issued by a qualified and registered electrician.

4.3 Fire Compliance Certificate

Must show fire equipment installation from a SABS approved company or fire department.

Includes:

Fire extinguishers
Fire blankets
First aid kits
Fire signage and hose reels

4.4 Proof of Ownership

Title deed, or if leased, valid lease agreement plus owner’s permission letter.

For rural land, a tribal authority confirmation letter is accepted.

4.5 Zoning Certificate

Issued by municipality.
If rezoning is pending, submit proof of application.

5. DHET Minimum Norms and Standards You MUST Meet

(from Government Gazette No. 39238)

This policy is LAW. If you ignore it, you will fail inspection.

5.1 Distance Rules

Property must be inside the campus security perimeter OR
Not more than 20 km away, with safe transport every day
If further than 5 km, transport must run early morning to late night

5.2 Room Size

Max 2 students per room
Single: minimum 8 square metres
Double: minimum 14 square metres
These sizes apply to NEW buildings. Older buildings may be exempt but must improve.

5.3 Bathrooms

1 basin for every 4 students
1 shower per 7 students
1 toilet per 5 students
No open communal showers
Doors or curtains required

5.4 Social Spaces

Large common area: 1.5 square metres per student for first 100 beds, then 1 square metre per student thereafter
Smaller rooms minimum 9 square metres

5.5 Kitchen Rules for Self-catering

Per 8 students:

1 four-plate stove
320 litre fridge/freezer
Lockable cupboard for each student
1 sink per 15 students
1 microwave per 15 students
Enough counter space for 25 percent of residents working at once

5.6 Internet

There must be cost-effective internet
Study spaces must have access

5.7 Disability Access

Universal design standards apply
Wheelchair access, hearing signal systems where needed

6. Health and Safety Rules That Landlords Forget

You must have:

Annual fire safety certificate
Electrical and gas safety certificates
Security compliance
Evacuation diagram displayed
Monthly internal hygiene inspections
Cleaning of ablutions once a day minimum

7. Governance and Management

Even private landlords must follow these:

Universities must have disciplinary codes that apply to your property
You must train staff in emergency procedures
If housing more than 10 students, you must have representation in university housing committees
Staff to student ratios must be respected

8. What NSFAS Does NOT Tell You Clearly

Here are the real warnings for new landlords:

1. Money delays happen
Even if everything is correct, funds can delay for months.

2. Once you sign, you cannot change prices mid-year

3. You are responsible for student discipline, not only the university

4. Fire compliance is the number one failure point
Most new landlords forget hose reels, fire signage and service certificates.

5. NSFAS does not pay for empty beds
If students leave, the money leaves with them.

6. NSFAS will de-accredit you if you fake documents
They check everything.

9. Full 2026 Compliance Checklist

Legal Documents

Tax clearance
CIPC certificate
B-BBEE affidavit
Proof of address
Owner ID or passport
Proxy letter if not owner

Property Documents

Approved building plans
Electrical COC
Fire compliance certificate
Zoning certificate
Title deed or lease agreement
Tribal letter if rural

Facilities

Room sizes within regulation
Bathroom ratios
Kitchen equipment ratios
Lockable cupboards
Internet access
Safety equipment
Clean ablution facilities

Financial and System Requirements

You accept a 5 percent NSFAS deduction
You accept invoicing through the portal
You must handle warnings and eviction procedures properly

Final Advice for New 2026 Landlords

If you are serious about entering the student accommodation sector, treat it like a real business, not rent-a-room income. The DHET rules are strict, inspections are tough, and the landlords who get approved are the ones who treat students like clients, not a side hustle.

Most importantly, do not wait for the deadline. When the portal opens, thousands of landlords rush at once. If your documents are not ready, you will fall behind and lose the year.