Stellenbosch University joins CPUT in student accommodation crisis
There are more students applying for campus residence than there is available accommodation.
Stellenbosch University, Wikimedia Commons
Pippa Hudson speaks to property owner Daniel Lutz about Stellenbosch's student accommodation.
Stellenbosch University has joined CPUT in the student-housing crisis as more students are applying for campus residences than there is accommodation available for them.
WATCH: CPUT faces housing crisis: Over 72k applications for 15k beds
Lutz says this "is a total anomaly. At this stage, it doesn't seem that there is not a lot of space available in this small town of ours."
Lutz adds that the lack of available student accommodation includes campus and private residences and is largely due to the aftermath of the matric results which were released quite later this year than previous years.
"This is because of the matric results coming out later than usual, now there's a rush in finalised applications and students looking for accommodation all at once."
Daniel Lutz, Property Owner
Lutz says the university typically plans for over bookings but this year "it's different with a higher demand for students coming to Stellenbosch."
Lutz warns that a side-effect of the student-housing crisis gives way for scammers to take advantage of desperate students in need of housing.
Lutz adds that there was a case where a student paid up housing for the whole year but upon arrival at Stellenbosch's student digs, no arrangements had been approved for her - she was scammed and her money is gone.
While liaising for student residency outside of Stellenbosch University, check the credentials of the people you are making housing deals with, advises Lutz.