BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//CERN//INDICO//EN BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:UFS 2027 Off-Campus Accreditation Renewal Application (Late Applic ation) DTSTART:20261013T100000Z DTEND:20261019T215900Z DTSTAMP:20261027T013700Z UID:indico-event-40215@events.ufs.ac.za DESCRIPTION:\n \n2027 OFF-CAMPUS ACCOMMODATION ACCREDITATION APPLICATION (RENEWALS ONLY):\n \n(ANY 2026 DE-ACCREDITED STUDENT ADDRESS SHOULD COMPL ETE A NEW APPLICATION)!!\n \nINTRODUCTION\n \n1.1        The Unive rsity of the Free State (hereinafter referred to as the "UFS") recognises the importance of providing access to safe\, secure\, and quality accommod ation for every individual enrolled in tertiary studies and registered as a student of the UFS (the "Student(s)"). Accordingly\, the UFS places a hi gh priority on ensuring the availability of appropriate student accommodat ion that supports students' academic success\, well-being\, and overall un iversity experience.\n \n1.2        Accordingly\, the UFS endeavour s to accredit and facilitate access to private student accommodation that meets high standards of quality\, safety\, and suitability. Such accommoda tion must comply with the applicable directives and guidelines of the  N ational Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)\, where applicable\, as well as the legislative and regulatory framework governing student housing in S outh Africa. Through this accreditation process\, the UFS seeks to ensure that students have access to accommodation that supports their academic su ccess\, well-being\, and overall university experience.\n \n1.3         Accreditation\, in relation to private housing and off-campus student accommodation\, refers to the formal recognition and approval granted by the UFS to a property\, confirming that it is suitable for the accommodati on of students and complies with the applicable norms\, standards\, legis lative requirements\, and municipal by-laws governing student housing. Acc reditation is granted only where the property satisfies the requirements a nd criteria prescribed by the UFS\, including compliance with all applicab le National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) directives\, applicable M unicipal by-law\, and guidelines\, where applicable.\n \n1.4        Furthermore\, the UFS requires all providers of off-campus student accom modation seeking accreditation to comply with the applicable legislative a nd regulatory requirements governing student housing\, including the norms and standards prescribed under the Higher Education Act\, 1997 (Act No. 1 01 of 1997)\, as amended from time to time\, together with any regulations \, policies\, directives\, and guidelines issued thereunder. Providers mus t also comply with all other applicable national\, provincial\, and local legislation\, including municipal by-laws\, insofar as such legislation re lates to the provision and management of student accommodation.\n \n1.5        Every provider of off-campus student accommodation seeking ac creditation by the UFS shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Policy on the Minimum Norms and Standards for Student Housing at Public Un iversities\, published in Government Gazette No. 39238 of 29 September 20 15\, as amended or replaced from time to time (the "Official Student Hous ing Policy"). Compliance with the Official Student Housing Policy is a man datory requirement for accreditation and must be demonstrated to the satis faction of the UFS.\n     \nThe Official Student Housing Policy is avai lable on the website of the Department of Higher Education and Training at : https://www.gov.za/documents/higher-education-act-policy-minimum-norms- and-standards-student-housing-public.\n \n1.6         In addition to the foregoing\, every provider of private off-campus student accommodat ion seeking accreditation by the UFS shall comply with all applicable UFS policies\, rules\, procedures\, standards\, terms\, and conditions governi ng the provision of student accommodation. This includes\, without limita tion\, compliance with the UFS Policy on the Accreditation of Off-Campus Student Accommodation\, as amended or replaced from time to time (the "UFS Student Housing Policy"). Compliance with the UFS Student Housing Policy is a mandatory condition for obtaining and maintaining accreditation.\n  \n1.7        "Applicant" means the owner of a property\, or a duly a uthorised agent or representative acting on behalf of the owner\, who appl ies to the UFS for accreditation as a provider of off-campus student accom modation. An agent or representative applying on behalf of the owner warra nts that he/she has the necessary authority to act for and bind the owner in all matters relating to the application for accreditation.\n \n \nAP PLYING FOR ACCREDITATION  \n \n2.1          To be considered for accreditation as a provider of off-campus student accommodation\, an Appl icant shall complete the prescribed application form in full and submit it \, together with all supporting documentation specified in Annexure A (Cri teria for Accreditation) of the UFS Student Housing Policy. An applicatio n that is incomplete\, contains inaccurate or misleading information\, or is not accompanied by the required supporting documentation may be rejecte d or deemed invalid by the UFS.\n \nOnly applications that are completed in full and accompanied by all supporting documentation prescribed by the UFS shall be considered for accreditation. The UFS reserves the right to r eject\, or decline to consider any application that is incomplete or not s upported by the required documentation.\n \n2.2         All applic ations for accreditation shall be submitted during the calendar year prece ding the year for which accreditation is sought and must be received by th e UFS on or before the closing date determined and communicated by Housing and Residence Affairs ("HRA"). Applications received after the prescribe d closing date may not be considered\, unless the UFS\, in its sole discre tion\, determines otherwise.\n2.3         No application for accred itation received after the prescribed closing date shall be accepted or co nsidered by the UFS.\n2.4         Application link can be obtained at: https://www.ufs.ac.za/residences/housing-and-residence-affairs/informatio n/off-campus-accommodation/application-procedure  \n2.5         By submitting an application for accreditation to the UFS\, the Applicant ac knowledges and confirms that they have familiarised themselves with the ap plicable accreditation procedures\, minimum eligibility and accreditation requirements\, and all applicable policies\, standards\, terms\, and cond itions governing the provision of off-campus student accommodation\, inclu ding the UFS Student Housing Policy. The Applicant further acknowledges th at compliance with these requirements is a prerequisite for the considerat ion and maintenance of accreditation.\n2.6         The Applicant sha ll be the primary point of contact for all communications relating to the application for\, and any subsequent accreditation of\, the property. The UFS shall be entitled to correspond exclusively with the Applicant\, who s hall be responsible for receiving and responding to all notices\, request s\, and other communications on behalf of the owner\, where applicable.\n2 .7         The accommodation provider shall conclude a written leas e agreement with each student accommodated at the property prior to the st udent's occupation of the premises\, or within such period as may be permi tted by applicable law. Each lease agreement shall clearly regulate the ri ghts and obligations of the accommodation provider and the student in rel ation to the provision of off-campus accommodation.\n \nThe accommodation provider shall be solely responsible for the administration and enforceme nt of all lease agreements\, including the invoicing\, collection\, and re covery of any accommodation fees or other amounts payable by students.\n  \nThe UFS is not a party to any lease agreement concluded between the acco mmodation provider and a student and shall bear no responsibility or liabi lity whatsoever for the payment\, collection\, recovery\, or non-payment o f any accommodation fees or any other amounts due under such lease agreeme nt. The accommodation provider hereby indemnifies and holds the UFS harmle ss against any claim\, loss\, liability\, or dispute arising from or relat ing to the lease agreement or the student's failure to make payment.\n \n 2.8         Accreditation of an off-campus student accommodation pr operty shall be valid only for the academic year specified in the applicat ion and approved by the UFS. Accreditation shall automatically expire at t he end of the applicable academic year and does not create any right\, exp ectation\, or entitlement to renewal or continued accreditation for any s ubsequent year.\n \nWhere the UFS is responsible for facilitating the pay ment of accommodation fees on behalf of eligible students in accordance wi th applicable funding arrangements\, such payment shall be subject to the submission by the accommodation provider of a complete and accurate studen t occupancy list and any supporting documentation required by the UFS Fina nce Department. The UFS reserves the right to make payment directly to the accredited accommodation provider in accordance with the applicable fundi ng rules\, directives\, and guidelines issued by the Department of Higher Education and Training\, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) \, or any other relevant funding authority. Nothing in this Policy shall b e construed as creating an unconditional obligation on the UFS to make pay ment to an accommodation provider. Any payment by the UFS remains subject to the availability of funding\, compliance with the applicable funding re quirements\, verification of student eligibility\, and the provider's cont inued compliance with the UFS Student Housing Policy and all applicable le gislative and regulatory requirements.\n \n2.9         For enquiries relating to the accreditation application process\, Applicants may contac t Housing and Residence Affairs ("HRA") by email at OffCampusAccom@ufs.ac. za.\n \nThe UFS will not accept accreditation applications submitted by e mail\, hand delivery\, or to any individual staff member. All applications must be submitted strictly in accordance with the prescribed application process and by the submission method communicated by the UFS. Applications submitted through any unauthorised channel or after the prescribed closin g date shall not be accepted or considered.\n \n \nACCREDITATION PROCESS :\n \nOnce a completed application\, submitted in accordance with paragra ph 2 (Application for Accreditation) and received by the UFS on or before the prescribed closing date\, has been found to comply with the minimum el igibility and accreditation requirements\, the UFS shall commence the accr editation process in accordance with the procedures set out in the UFS Stu dent Housing Policy.\nThe accreditation process for the 2027 academic year shall include the following:\n\nAn application fee of R100.00 per bed sh all be payable by the Applicant for each property submitted for accreditat ion.\nThe UFS shall issue an invoice to the Applicant for the applicable a pplication fee.\nThe application fee shall become payable only after an in spection of the property has been conducted by the University.\nThe inspec tion shall assess the property's compliance with all applicable legislativ e requirements\, and any other applicable accreditation criteria prescribe d by the University.\nUpon successful completion of the inspection and con firmation of receipt of the application fee\, Housing and Residence Affair s shall issue the Applicant with written confirmation of the accreditation outcome for the relevant academic year.\nAccreditation shall only be gran ted where the property has been found to comply with all applicable legisl ative requirements\, University policies\, accreditation criteria\, and wh ere the application has been formally approved by the University.\nThe app lication fee is non-refundable.\n\n \n___________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________\n \nANNEXURE A\n \nREQUIRED /SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS RENEWAL OF ACCREDITATION FOR 2027\n \n \n\n\n\nCat egory:\nDefinition:\n Required Documents/Checklist:\n\n\nRenewal: Individ uals/Companies/Agencies/Trusts\n\nService Providers who were successfully part of the 2026 Accreditation Process only.\n \n\n\n \n\nCertified ID c opy/ Passport (Applicant/Directors/ Trustees & Owner).\nTax Clearance Cert ificate - TCS (Applicant/ Directors/ Trustees & Owner).\nBuilding Plans (M MM Stamp) / Approved Building Plans for Student Accommodation (MMM Stamp). \nSpecial Consent Use/Rezoning (For capacity of 5 & above).                           \nOccupancy Certificate.\nGas Certificate if gas is used on the property.\nAffidavit of the appointed Caretaker.                                                               \nID Copy of the Caretaker.\nHouse Rules.\nLease Agreement for 2027.\nUtility Bill (not older than 2 months\, not owing above R 5 000.00 ).\nBanking confirmation (Applicant).\n\n \n\n\n\n\n \n\nhttps://events. ufs.ac.za/event/40215/ URL:https://events.ufs.ac.za/event/40215/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR