Student guide · Campus Galleries

At the viewing

Tick as you go.

Water pressure and hot water in the shower and taps
Plug points work, and how many are in the room
Wi-Fi: ask for the speed and test it on your phone
Lock on your door, burglar bars and the gate or security
Signs of damp, mould or leaks on ceilings and walls
Where you'd study: desk, chair and light
Kitchen: stove, fridge space, and how many people share it
Bathroom: how many people share it
Walk or taxi route to campus, ideally at the time you'd travel
Take your own photos of anything damaged

Ticks are kept on this phone only.

Questions to ask the landlord

What does the rent include? Water, electricity, Wi-Fi?
Is electricity prepaid, and who buys it?
How much is the deposit, and when is it paid back?
How long is the lease, and what if I need to leave early?
Is the room NSFAS-accredited, and when does the landlord expect NSFAS payments?
Are there house rules: visitors, noise, cooking?
Who fixes things, and how fast?
Can I see the lease before I pay anything?

Ticks are kept on this phone only.

Monthly budget

See what's left after rent. Nothing you type leaves this phone.

Money in each month

R

NSFAS allowances, bursary, family, part-time work

Rent

R

Transport

R

Food

R

Data and airtime

R

Toiletries and other

R

R0Add what you have coming in each month

Renting with NSFAS

If NSFAS is paying your accommodation, the room usually needs to be NSFAS-accredited. Rooms that are accredited are marked on every listing, and you can filter for them.

NSFAS rules, allowance amounts and payment dates change, so check the current details on nsfas.org.za and with UJ's student accommodation office. Ask the landlord how they handle NSFAS payments and what happens if a payment is late.

Your lease and deposit

South Africa's Rental Housing Act gives tenants some basic protections. In short:

You're entitled to a written lease. Read it all before you sign, and keep a copy.
You and the landlord should inspect the room together before you move in and when you move out, and note any damage.
Your deposit should be kept in an interest-bearing account and paid back, with interest, less the cost of any damage you caused.
If you and the landlord can't agree, the Rental Housing Tribunal in your province can help, for free.

This is general information, not legal advice.

Staying safe

Never pay a deposit for a room you haven't seen, and never pay into a personal account for someone you can't verify.
Campus Galleries never asks students for money. If someone does in our name, tell us on WhatsApp.
Go to viewings in daylight, and bring a friend if you can.
Walk the route to campus before you commit, at the time you'd normally travel.