What you NEED to Know About Student Accommodation Lease Agreements

Student accommodation leases in South Africa follow the same legal rules as standard lease agreements, but with important differences every landlord and investor must understand. In this video, Bruno Simão breaks down student accommodation leasing, rental agreements, and property law in South Africa.

You’ll learn:
The essentials of lease agreements for student housing
Why written leases are critical for landlords and tenants
How shared spaces, utilities, and charges should be managed
Risks of oral or tacit lease agreements in student accommodation

This video is a must-watch for landlords, property investors, and anyone navigating student accommodation leasing in South Africa.

What you NEED to Know About Student Accommodation Lease Agreements

Summary
Same legal principles apply: Student accommodation leases are not governed by special rules; they follow the same laws as general lease agreements.

Essentials of a lease: A valid lease requires (1) something hired out, (2) temporary use and enjoyment, and (3) payment of rent. Ownership is not transferred.

Written vs oral agreements: Oral leases are legal but highly discouraged. Written agreements provide clarity on responsibilities, renewal, rent escalation, and maintenance duties.

Multi-let environments: Student housing often involves multiple tenants in shared spaces. Lease agreements must define tenant rights against each other and clarify shared responsibilities like utilities and sanitation costs.

Pro-rata charges: Tenants may face disputes over utility bills. Landlords must fairly allocate charges and justify them.

Tacit leases: Even without a formal contract, handing over keys and receiving rent creates a binding lease, though proving terms later is difficult.

Leases with institutions: When renting to universities or service providers, one lease covers the property for multiple students—different from individual student leases.

Tenant rights: Students can demand written contracts, even if arrangements began orally.

Insights Based on Numbers

8 minutes: The entire explanation is concise, covering the essentials of lease law in under 10 minutes.

1 tenant vs multiple tenants: The distinction between single-student leases and multi-let environments highlights why clarity in agreements is critical.

1 written contract: Even one written document prevents disputes that may arise in oral or implied agreements.

Bruno Miguel Simão of Bruno Simão Attorneys
https://www.brunosimaolaw.co.za/
(011) 234 0831
[email protected]