How It Works

From Search to Move-In.
Step by Step.

Student Home connects students with verified, affordable accommodation and gives property owners a streamlined platform to fill their rooms. Here is exactly how it works.

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For Students

Finding Your Room in 5 Steps

The entire process — from first search to receiving your booking code — is managed on the platform. Free for students at every step.

1

Search & Filter

5 minutes

Browse every verified property across South Africa. Use filters to narrow down by city, university or TVET, price range, room type (single, sharing, bachelor flat), gender policy, and NSFAS accreditation status.

Save properties to your wishlist to compare later
Use the NSFAS filter to only see accredited properties
Check room availability counts before applying
2

Create Your Profile & Apply

10–15 minutes

Complete your student profile once — your documents are reused for every application. Select your preferred room type, funding source (NSFAS or self-funded), and your desired move-in date, then submit.

Upload your ID, proof of registration, and NSFAS approval letter
You can apply to multiple properties simultaneously
No deposit is required at the application stage
3

Communicate with the Owner

Ongoing

Use the in-app chat to ask questions about the property, request a viewing, or clarify terms. All communication is recorded on the platform — your personal number stays private.

Request a physical or virtual viewing before committing
Confirm house rules, utilities, and move-in procedures in writing
Report any owner requesting off-platform payments
4

Get a Decision

1–5 business days

You will receive an in-app notification and email when the owner reviews your application. If approved, you move to the next step. If declined, you can continue applying to other properties.

Ensure all your documents are valid and not expired
A complete profile gets decisions faster
Check your spam folder for email notifications
5

Confirm & Move In

Once approved

After approval, confirm your move-in date and arrange payment. NSFAS students pay through the iEnablement system — no out-of-pocket payment. Self-funded students follow the rental agreement. Use your unique booking code at reception on arrival.

Keep your booking code — you will need it on move-in day
NSFAS students: ensure your NSFAS funds are directed correctly
Conduct a property inspection on arrival and note any existing damage
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For Property Owners

Listing Your Property in 6 Steps

From creating your account to receiving your first student application — everything is managed from your owner dashboard.

1

Register & Submit Documents

15 minutes

Create your owner account and upload your property documents: title deed or lease agreement, CIPC registration, municipal rates clearance, electrical compliance certificate, and a valid ID.

All 5 document categories are reviewed within 2 business days
You can list multiple properties under one account
Certificates must be current — expired documents cause delays
2

List Your Property

20–30 minutes

Use our step-by-step listing wizard to add rooms, per-room pricing, photos, amenities (Wi-Fi, laundry, security, etc.), gender policy, and house rules. Your listing is saved as a draft until verification is complete.

High-quality photos significantly increase application rates
Be specific about included utilities to avoid disputes
Set accurate room counts — these update in real time as rooms fill
3

Property Inspection

5–7 business days

A Student Home inspector visits your property to verify that living conditions, safety standards, and listed amenities match your submission. The optional inspection fee of R1,000 applies only if you need NSFAS accreditation.

Book your inspection from your owner dashboard once documents are approved
The inspection takes approximately 1–2 hours
NSFAS accreditation requires passing the inspection
4

Go Live & Get Verified

1 business day after approval

Once approved, your listing goes live and receives the Verified badge — and the NSFAS Accredited badge if eligible. Verified listings rank higher in search results and receive significantly more applications.

Verified properties receive 3× more applications on average
NSFAS-accredited properties attract funded students year-round
You can update photos and amenities after going live
5

Manage Applications

Ongoing

Review student profiles and documents from your dashboard. Approve or decline applications, send messages, manage viewing bookings, and track room occupancy — all in one place.

Respond to applications within 48 hours to maintain a good response rate
Use the viewing scheduler to avoid double-bookings
Declined students are notified automatically with no awkward conversations
6

Receive Payment

Per your rental agreement

NSFAS pays directly via the iEnablement system — you receive rent without chasing students. Self-funded students pay according to your signed rental agreement. Student Home takes no commission.

Ensure your banking details are correct on the NSFAS iEnablement portal
Student Home sends monthly invoices for your R250/month listing fee
Cancel any listing at any time with no penalty
Owner Requirements View Pricing

Why Students & Owners Trust Student Home

Built specifically for the South African student accommodation market — with NSFAS, POPIA, and the Rental Housing Act in mind.

Verified Properties Only

Every listing is document-verified and inspected before going live. No scams, no fake listings, no surprises on move-in day.

NSFAS-Ready Platform

Accredited properties accept NSFAS funding directly through the iEnablement system. Students pay nothing out of pocket.

Zero Commission for Owners

We charge owners a flat R250/month per listing. All rental income goes directly to the owner — we take no cut whatsoever.

Private, Secure Messaging

All communication happens in-app. Personal phone numbers are never shared. Conversations are recorded for dispute resolution.

Real-time Availability

Room counts update the moment an application is approved. Students never apply to a property that's already full.

Structured Applications

Students upload documents once. Owners receive clean, complete applications — no chasing documents over WhatsApp.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the full process take for students?+
From creating an account to receiving an approval decision typically takes 3–7 business days, depending on how quickly you upload your documents and how fast the property owner responds.
Can I apply to more than one property at a time?+
Yes. You can submit applications to as many properties as you like simultaneously. There is no application limit, and there is no fee for any application.
What happens if my application is declined?+
You will be notified by email and in-app. Your documents and profile remain saved — you can immediately apply to other properties without re-uploading anything.
Do I need NSFAS approval before I can apply?+
No. You can apply to properties at any time. However, to move into an NSFAS-accredited property using NSFAS funding, your NSFAS approval letter must be submitted and your funds must be active.
How long does it take for an owner's listing to go live?+
Document review takes up to 2 business days. If an inspection is required (for NSFAS accreditation), it is booked within 5–7 business days. Total time from submission to going live is typically 7–10 business days.
What if a student stops paying rent?+
For NSFAS students, payment is handled via the iEnablement system — the student does not handle rent personally. For self-funded students, the rental agreement you sign with the student governs payment terms. Student Home does not mediate payment disputes but provides all communication records for legal purposes.
View all FAQs →

Still have questions? Our team is here to help.

hello@studenthome.co.za
Student Home

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