The landlords of student accommodation in Bloemfontein, who provide a home to thousands of students and pump an estimated R4,2 billion into the local economy, are facing a crisis.
This could lead many to shut down, leaving students stranded and devastating local businesses.
Gert van der Merwe, chairperson of Multi-Let Owners Association, says they want to be part of the solution to regulate student housing, but face challenges with requirements for accreditation.
This comes in response to the intended implementation of the unconstitutional new student accommodation by-law on student accommodation and additional requirements for accreditation, which is unique to Bloemfontein campuses.
“According to our calculations, the universities in Bloemfontein bring R7 billion into our city,” Van der Merwe said.
“The students living in communes are responsible for an estimated R4,2 billion of that, with R2.8 billion brought in by on-campus and large student housing developments. To cripple us with unworkable regulations and requirements will jeopardize that entire revenue steam,” he said.
Multi-Let represents around 300 owners of communes with 6 000 beds.
Byone Salmon, one of the board members, says their members are heavily invested and want to improve the state of the whole Universitas.
“We want property prices to increase and we want te be part of the solution.”
The group acknowledges the legitimate concerns of some residents regarding noise and parking.
“The proposed bylaw unfairly scapegoats all student housing instead of targeting the few bad operators,” they say.
“The system to legalise our properties is not working as it is taking too long , due to challenges facing all parties involved, including the Mangaung Metro, University of the Free State (UFS), and landlords alike.”
They purpose a robust five-point criteria for the Manangaung Metro and tertiary institutions that could be considered to fast-track permissions to operate whilst going through the process of obtaining special consent use or rezoning. This includes, but are not limited to:
■ formal registration of properties with the metro;
■ the appointment of a town planner to apply for special consent or rezoning;
■ proof of previous provisional accreditation that confirms property compliance with the National Student Housing Policy by tertiary institutions;
■ proof of active cooperation with local neighbourhood associations; and
■ mandatory Code of Conduct to regulate landlords and their tenants in areas they operate in.
“We want to be parners in creating peaceful, dignified and integrated communities,” says Van der Merwe.
