Student accommodation budget: rent, deposits and hidden costs
Build a student housing budget with monthly and move-in costs. Compare rent, utilities, Wi-Fi, transport and deposits before choosing a room.
Open checklistResMate student guidebook
Student accommodation resources.
Practical guidance for students finding a home and property owners listing and managing student accommodation. Plan your budget, compare a room, check funding and prepare the records you need.
By ResMate, made by Eclipse Softworks. Reviewed . Confirm current prices, funding rules and property details with the responsible provider.
All nine provinces
Find your province. Choose your campus.
Explore local student housing guidance, then narrow your search by city, area and the campus where you study.
Student accommodation in Eastern Cape
Explore student accommodation in the Eastern Cape, including Gqeberha, East London and Makhanda. Compare campus locations, room costs and transport.
Explore provinceStudent accommodation in Free State
Find student accommodation in the Free State around UFS and CUT. Start with Bloemfontein and check your campus, total costs and lease dates.
Explore provinceStudent accommodation in Gauteng
Compare student accommodation in Gauteng, from Johannesburg and Pretoria to Midrand. Explore area guides and accommodation near Wits, UJ, UP and TUT.
Explore provinceStudent accommodation in KwaZulu-Natal
Explore student accommodation in KwaZulu-Natal near UKZN, DUT, MUT and UniZulu. Compare Durban and Pietermaritzburg guides and campus routes.
Explore provinceStudent accommodation in Limpopo
Find student accommodation in Limpopo around Polokwane, Turfloop and Thohoyandou. Plan your search for the University of Limpopo or University of Venda.
Explore provinceStudent accommodation in Mpumalanga
Explore student accommodation in Mpumalanga around Mbombela and the University of Mpumalanga. Check your teaching campus, room inclusions and transport.
Explore provinceStudent accommodation in North West
Find student accommodation in North West around Potchefstroom and Mahikeng. Compare NWU campus locations, room costs, transport and funding checks.
Explore provinceStudent accommodation in Northern Cape
Explore student accommodation in the Northern Cape around Kimberley and Sol Plaatje University. Compare rooms, campus routes and the cost of moving in.
Explore provinceStudent accommodation in Western Cape
Compare student accommodation in the Western Cape around Cape Town and Stellenbosch. Explore UCT, UWC, CPUT and Stellenbosch campus and area guides.
Explore province
Put your housing plan into practice
Use these checklists alongside the listing and the actual agreement. Record the answers you receive so you can compare options and follow up on anything missing.
Student accommodation viewing and move-in checklist
Questions to ask when viewing student accommodation: room condition, security, Wi-Fi, transport, lease terms and a documented move-in inspection.
Open checklistLandlord checklist for listing and managing student accommodation
Prepare an accurate student residence listing, review applications, organise leases and inspections, reconcile rent and manage maintenance records.
Open checklistCheap student accommodation: compare affordable rooms
Find affordable student accommodation by comparing shared rooms, full lease costs, utilities and transport. Use a clear shortlist before paying a deposit.
Open checklistStudent accommodation near me: search around your campus
Find student accommodation near your campus using the exact teaching address, area guides and a realistic commute. Compare current rooms and total costs.
Open checklistNSFAS accommodation near me: location and funding checks
Plan a search for NSFAS accommodation near your campus. Check the property, your funding status, the official placement process and current availability.
Open checklistGetting to campus: a student transport guide
Compare walking, cycling, residence shuttles and public transport when choosing student accommodation. Plan travel time, fares and evening returns.
Open checklistPrivate student accommodation in South Africa
Find private student accommodation near your campus. Compare residences, shared houses and flats, check costs and prepare your application before paying.
Open checklistSelf-funded student accommodation: finding a room
Find student accommodation when paying yourself or through family support. Compare private payment terms, deposits, monthly costs and application requirements.
Open checklistChoose the resource for your next decision
For students and parents
Start with your exact campus and a total monthly budget. Use the viewing checklist to check the actual room, shared facilities and daily travel. Before you commit, match the quotation to the lease and confirm any funding requirements through the official office.
Follow the student housing planFor landlords and managers
Prepare accurate room, bed, pricing and availability details. Keep applications, inspection records, agreements, invoices and repairs organised. The owner checklist explains what to prepare before publishing and what to record after a student moves in.
Explore the landlord toolsHow these guides are prepared
ResMate publishes practical guidance based on the platform’s accommodation workflow, with official sources linked for funding and rental questions. We do not inspect every property or provide independent funding approval. Listings, allowances, accreditation and provider terms can change; check the responsible source before acting. Send a correction or a missing-topic suggestion to support@resmate.co.za.
01
Website comparison
10 student accommodation websites and resources
Compare marketplaces, official funding resources and private residence providers by the tools and coverage they offer.
Read guide02
NSFAS guide
How NSFAS accommodation works
Understand accreditation, verification, applications, leases and the checks to complete before you move in.
Read guide03
Search checklist
How to find student accommodation
A clear route from choosing an area to comparing total costs, viewing a room and signing the lease.
Read guide04
Property-owner platform
List and manage student accommodation
Publish residences, receive applications and manage tenants, rent and maintenance from one owner dashboard.
Read guideBrowse by city
Start close to campus.
Use an area guide to narrow your search, then compare live listings on ResMate.
Johannesburg
Gauteng · 2 institutions
View city guidePretoria
Gauteng · 3 institutions
View city guideCape Town
Western Cape · 3 institutions
View city guideDurban
KwaZulu-Natal · 2 institutions
View city guideStellenbosch
Western Cape · 1 university
View city guideBloemfontein
Free State · 2 institutions
View city guidePotchefstroom
North West · 1 university
View city guideMahikeng
North West · 1 university
View city guideGqeberha
Eastern Cape · 1 university
View city guideEast London
Eastern Cape · 2 institutions
View city guideMakhanda
Eastern Cape · 1 university
View city guideKimberley
Northern Cape · 1 university
View city guideMbombela
Mpumalanga · 1 university
View city guidePolokwane and Turfloop
Limpopo · 1 university
View city guideThohoyandou
Limpopo · 1 university
View city guidePietermaritzburg
KwaZulu-Natal · 2 institutions
View city guideMidrand
Gauteng · 1 university
View city guideReady to compare real residences?
Search current listings by university, area, price, room type and NSFAS status.