To increase awareness of rental rights among young people, the Department of Human Settlements is taking its Know Your Rental Rights campaign to higher education institutions across the country.
The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with Rental Housing Tribunals (RHTs), the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and the South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training Students Association (SATVETSA).
According to the department, the campaign forms part of a broader national strategy to promote awareness of rental rights among young people.
“The initiative is 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 in a statement.
The department said the first engagement would be held at the University of Mpumalanga’s Nelspruit Campus.
“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 Ministry said.
The programme follows the 2026 National Student Accommodation Indaba held in Durban, where participants called for educational programmes to raise awareness of students’ rental rights and obligations.
