2021 Applications Open!!
 

Student Enquiries

A student’s life is jammed packed with academic pressures, social and financial obligations. It is our goal as Student Accommodation Consultancy to satisfy your accommodation requirements so as to allow you to focus on your life as a student.

In addition to the information given in our website we have provided a few Questions and Answers to help you with your selection of suitable accommodation.


When & how can I reserve my accommodation for 2021?

We are open for bookings from November 2020 to 18 December 2020 (inclusive) and again from February 2021 onward. You can contact us by using the contact details provided in the “Contact Us” web page.

Remember to book early in order to avoid disappointment and to improve your chances of living in your ideal accommodation. 

In many cases lease agreements, rentals and deposits are directly managed by our administration department. Please ensure that your parents or sponsors deal directly with us and not with the Nelson Mandela University's Off-Campus Housing Office. 

If you are a first year student and desire to live in one of our Nelson Mandela University's accredited accommodation then you will need to deal directly with their Off Campus Housing Office (OCHO) to make the necessary arrangements. 


Is a booking fee applicable and how much is it?

Yes, a non-refundable booking fee of R1000 is applicable.


What is needed to secure my accommodation?

There are a few formalities that need to be addressed in order to secure your accommodation:

  • Initially a booking form will need to be completed and submitted with a nominal, once off, booking fee.
  • A lease agreement needs to be signed between the student tenant and Student Accommodation Consultancy. If the student is under the age of 18, we will need his/her guardian to sign on his/her behalf.
  • A refundable deposit equivalent to approximately 1 months rental installment plus R 500.00 must be paid by the student on signing the lease.


What will the duration of the lease agreement be?

All lease agreements are for 9 months from 1 March to 30 November 2021. There is no saving of rentals in arriving later.

First year students arrive from 05 March 2021 in order to complete a 10 day quarantine period. Senior student can only return once communication to return from the university has been sent to them. Early arrivals will need to inform our office of their arrival date and pay a prorated rental. The same principle will apply to students needing to rewrite exams and require short-term accommodation. 


How is my rent calculated?

An annual budgeted rental is set for each room based on its size and level of exclusivity of the house. This can be paid as a once off payment, semester payments or in rental installments of 9 months as stipulated in the lease agreement. Rental payments are payable in advance.


When can I take occupation?

You may take occupation on 05 March 2021 if you are a 1st year student needing to attend orientation or any date thereafter. All monies due at the time of occupation will need to be paid up before being handed the keys to your accommodation. 

Second year and higher students can take occupation once the University has communicated return approval (due to Covid-19).

No senior student will be permitted to return unless confirmation from University is received

Students finishing off 2020 academic year can move into their 2021 booked residences from 01 March 2021


What do I need to bring with me?

Our accommodation comes furnished and equipped with all major appliances. You will therefore only need to bring the following:

  • Personal cutlery, crockery, pots & pans, an iron, plastic containers, dish towel, and kettle
  • Sheets, blankets, pillow, towels and toiletries
  • Study materials and clothing


How does the purchasing of electricity work?

Electricity is supplied to our student houses via Pre-Paid meters. Student tenants are jointly responsible for paying for electricity for their accommodation. It is estimated that electricity costs for 2019 will be between R250 and R300 per month per student depending on usage. To facilitate fair and timely contributions towards electricity Student Accommodation Consultancy will purchase electricity on behalf of our student tenants at the beginning of each month and invoice their individual accounts with their share. Students will be required to make their electricity payment into our bank account in advance with their payments.

 

What if I have a sponsor or bursary?

 We will happily accommodate sponsored or bursary students. Such students will need to furnish us with the following information/documentation:

  • Does the sponsor or bursary require you to live in accredited accommodation? If so you will be directed to the Nelson Mandela University's Off Campus Housing Office (OCHO).
  • If permitted to live in private accommodation the student will need to furnish us with a letter of undertaking from the sponsor or bursary specifying that they will be able to pay us directly or via the student's NMU account for the entire academic year.
  • Provide reliable contact details of a representative/mentor from their bursary or sponsor who will be able to resolve any questions or concerns that may arise.
  • Where possible the student is encouraged to make regular payments upfront and we will reimburse them once the bursary or sponsor has made payment.

 

What services and amenities can I expect?

All accommodations are accessible by tarred roads, have electricity and clean municipal water.

Our accommodations have bathrooms, a lounge with furnishings and a TV, kitchen with cooking facilities, cupboards and refrigeration. Bedrooms have cupboards, a bed, study desk and chair. Windows are curtained and private rooms can be locked.


What will life be like staying in a student accommodation?

New friends and memories will be made, You will learn how to become independent and responsible on your journey to obtaining your tertiary education. The important thing to remember is that in most cases you will be living in a commune. Successful communal living is dependent on all parties being considerate of each other’s needs. To ensure peaceful and happy cohabitation of all students staying in a commune you need to be willing to abide by the Rules of Residence as stipulated in the lease agreement. Regular housemate meetings and the choosing of a house representative will assist in communications with us. Drawing up of rosters for re-occurring tasks such as buying dish liquid, black refuse bags and the placing full refuse bags at the road side on Sunday nights will help to create an organized atmosphere.

To assist you with your communal living experience we have taken a hands on approach towards security, maintenance, cleanliness and hygiene of our student accommodations. We have a dedicated cleaning and maintenance team who will provide weekly cleaning of the communal areas and are able to take care of maintenance jobs.

 

Please visit our Contact Us webpage to request more information regarding the student accommodation on offer and how we can best assist you.