Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — completely free. Creating an account, browsing properties, saving favourites, submitting applications, booking viewings, and using the messaging system all cost students nothing. We are funded by property owners, not students.

No. You can apply with any funding source — NSFAS, a private bursary, a student loan, your parents, or self-funded. You select your funding source during the application and upload the relevant proof. Some properties are specifically for NSFAS students; others accept all funding types.

Find a property you like and click "Apply Now". You will be asked to select your room type (single or sharing), confirm your funding source, and upload any required documents. Review your application and submit — the property owner will receive it immediately and respond within 2–5 business days.

Most applications require: (1) a copy of your South African ID or passport, (2) your current proof of registration from your institution, (3) your NSFAS approval letter or bursary award letter if applicable, and (4) a passport-size photo. Some owners may request academic transcripts or a bank statement. Required documents are listed on each property page.

Yes. We recommend applying to 2–3 properties simultaneously to improve your chances, especially at peak season (November–February). Once you receive an approval and accept it, you should withdraw your other pending applications to free up space for other students.

Most property owners respond within 2–5 business days. You will receive a push notification and email as soon as your application status changes. If an owner has not responded within 7 days, you can contact them through the platform's messaging system.

A booking code is a unique QR code and alphanumeric code generated after your application is fully approved and your lease is processed. You show this code to the property reception or manager on your move-in day to confirm your booking. The code is available in your Student Dashboard under "Booking Codes".

You can apply to other properties immediately — rejection from one property does not affect your ability to apply elsewhere. The owner may include a reason in their decision. If no reason is given and you believe the rejection was unfair or discriminatory, contact our support team and we will investigate.

Yes. Most properties on the platform offer viewing bookings. Go to the property page and click "Book a Viewing". You can select an available date and time. Some viewings are in-person and some are virtual. The property owner will confirm your viewing within 24 hours.

A lease agreement is a legally binding contract between you and the property owner that sets out the terms of your tenancy — monthly rent, deposit, lease duration, house rules, and cancellation terms. You sign it after your application is approved and before or on move-in day. Never move in without a signed lease.

Once your application is approved, the property owner will send you payment instructions through the platform. Deposits are typically paid by EFT directly to the property owner's account or through the platform's payment system. Monthly rent is paid according to your lease terms — usually by the 1st of each month.

First, report the issue to your property owner or manager directly through the platform's messaging system. If the issue is not resolved within a reasonable time, contact Student Home support and we will mediate. For urgent safety issues (no water, electrical faults, security breaches), contact emergency services first if necessary.

Yes. After your application is approved and you have moved in, you can submit a star rating and written review from your Student Dashboard under "My Reviews". Reviews are moderated before publication to ensure they are genuine and comply with our community guidelines.

Yes. Apply to properties while your NSFAS application is pending. Select "NSFAS (Pending)" as your funding source. Property owners can conditionally approve your application subject to NSFAS confirmation. Once your NSFAS is approved, upload your approval letter to finalise your booking.