The Department of Human Settlements is taking its “Know Your Rental Rights: Student Edition” campaign to institutions of higher learning across the country to equip students with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities as tenants.
The national awareness campaign, led by the department, in partnership with Rental Housing Tribunals (RHTs), will run from 6 - 16 October 2026. It is aimed at providing students with information on rental rights, landlord and tenant responsibilities, and free dispute resolution services available in all nine provinces.
The initiative forms part of a broader national education and awareness programme aimed at addressing challenges experienced by students using private accommodation, including unfair rental practices, unlawful evictions, payments, and disputes between tenants and landlords.
The department said engagements with Rental Housing Tribunals across the country have highlighted cases in which unscrupulous landlords exploit student tenants.
It said there are also instances of students failing to honour their rental obligations, despite receiving funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and other funders.
The awareness drive is being implemented in partnership with NSFAS, the South African Union of Students (SAUS) and the South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training Students Association (SATVETSA).
“The activation will include presentations, information sharing sessions, exhibitions and direct engagement with officials from the Rental Housing Tribunal. Students will have an opportunity to learn more about their rental rights, responsibilities and the mechanisms available to resolve rental disputes,” the department said.
The initiative follows a commitment made by Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane in her 2026 Budget Vote speech to empower student tenants and landlords through a nationwide Rental Housing Tribunals awareness campaign.
The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements also called on the department in June to intensify awareness of the role and services of Rental Housing Tribunals.
The need for greater awareness was further highlighted at the National Student Accommodation Indaba held in Durban in July, where student bodies called for urgent education on students’ rental rights and obligations.
The department said the campaign will also strengthen collaboration with student organisations and institutions of higher learning, while informing students that Rental Housing Tribunals provide free dispute resolution services.
The first engagement will be held at the University of Mpumalanga’s Nelspruit Campus on Tuesday, followed by engagements at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein on 9 October.
Further sessions will be held at Walter Sisulu University’s Mthatha Campus and King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College on 15 and 16 October, respectively.
The department said the campaign forms part of its broader education and awareness programme aimed at promoting fair rental practices and ensuring that both landlords and tenants understand their rights and obligations. – SAnews.gov.za
