11/08/2026
COMMON NSFAS ACCREDITATION MISTAKE: CREATING BEDROOMS WITH NO WINDOWS
In an effort to maximise bed capacity, some accommodation providers convert passages, lounges or other internal spaces into additional bedrooms by installing dry-walling.
The problem arises when the newly created “bedroom” has no window and therefore no access to natural light or natural ventilation.
We recently inspected a property where this had been done. When the issue was raised, the landlord proposed installing mechanical extractor fans in the affected rooms.
While mechanical ventilation may assist with air circulation, it does not solve the second problem: The room still has no natural light.
A bedroom should not simply be a space in which a bed can fit. Its suitability must also be considered in terms of the minimum accommodation requirements, including adequate lighting and ventilation.
This is why it is important to understand the requirements before altering a property to increase capacity. Creating additional rooms first and checking compliance afterwards can result in money being spent on alterations that ultimately do not increase the number of permissible beds.
Liyema Ikhaya is the place to go to for pre-accreditation assessments and they help accommodation providers identify these issues before the formal accreditation inspection — allowing them to make informed decisions about room configuration, capacity and any improvements that may be required.
📩 If you are preparing a property for NSFAS accreditation and would like an independent readiness assessment, DM me or contact Liyema Ikhaya on this email address [email protected]
Dez Sikakane Liyema IKhaya Consulting Teboho Seretlo
