Intake Now Welcomed at New RISE Student Living Homes

With end of year exams now under way at universities across South Africa this October, plenty of students and parents are already planning beyond the final paper and asking where home will be in 2027. RISE Student Living, the student housing arm of the Eris Property Group, has chosen this moment to put the spotlight on three of its bigger residences: Units on Blackwood in Parktown, Johannesburg, Units on Main in Observatory, Cape Town, and Nala Units in Universitas, Bloemfontein. Between them, these buildings contribute more than 3,000 beds to a network that also takes in Units on Park in Hatfield, Units on Jorissen in Braamfontein, Units on Cape Station in the Cape Town Foreshore and Units on Birbeck in Kimberley.

There is a practical reason to act now. All three residences are advertising an early bird administration fee on 2027 applications, available only until 31 December 2026. A student who sorts out accommodation before the festive break secures the reduced fee and starts the new academic year with one fewer task on the list.

Units on Blackwood: Parktown living minutes from Wits

Found at 6 Blackwood in Parktown, Units on Blackwood is just a few minutes from the University of the Witwatersrand. Its 890 purpose built beds will house their first residents in the 2027 academic year, so the months ahead are the building's first true intake period. Bedrooms are grouped into clusters ranging from two bed pods to six bed pods, which lets students pick either a smaller shared apartment or a bigger household of flatmates. According to the 2027 rate card on the RISE website, monthly rent per bed starts at R5,950 for the six bed cluster and goes up to R8,000 for the two bed cluster, and no deposit is listed for these unit types.

As across the wider portfolio, the building is planned around spaces for study and recreation, and everyone who lives there joins the RISE Student Life Programme. Through activities, events, support services, leadership development and community building initiatives, the programme sets out to help residents develop as people while staying on top of their studies.

Units on Main: an Observatory home for 975 students

Over in Cape Town, Units on Main stands at 414 Main Road, Observatory, near the University of Cape Town main campus, the UCT medical campus, Observatory Square and key transport routes. Its 269 units hold 975 beds across studio, two bed and four bed cluster apartments, and RISE states that the building is fully compliant with Department of Higher Education and Training standards. On site, residents can use dedicated study and IT facilities, a gym, laundry services and three landscaped courtyards, with common areas on each floor looking out over the Observatory neighbourhood.

Because of the variety of Student Apartments at Units on Main, the decision is straightforward. Students who value privacy and want a space of their own for late night study can opt for a self-contained studio, while those who enjoy sharing a kitchen and lounge may lean towards the two and four bed clusters. Published 2027 rates begin at R6,925 per bed per month for a standard four bed single room and reach R11,000 for a solo studio.

Nala Units: the biggest of the three, in Bloemfontein

At 40 Groenewoud Street in Universitas, Bloemfontein, Nala Units leads the group in size with 1,191 beds close to the University of the Free State. Unit types cover a broad range, starting with The Duo, a two bed unit with one shared room, and extending to The District, a nine bed unit with single rooms. On the 2027 rate card, shared rooms begin at R5,402 per bed per month and single rooms at R6,600, with no deposit listed for these units. Alongside the bedrooms are dedicated study facilities and communal areas, and residents are also part of the Student Life Programme.

For first time arrivals in Bloemfontein, Nala Units brings the RISE model of security, inclusive rental and on-site support to a fifth South African city, joining Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Kimberley.

The standard across every RISE building

No matter which residence a student picks, the fundamentals are consistent. RISE Student Accommodation is designed only for students and sits near major university campuses, with grocery stores, pharmacies and other daily essentials a short walk away. Security runs around the clock through 24/7 guarding, CCTV surveillance and biometric or electronic access control, ensuring that only registered residents and authorised staff get in.

Monthly rent generally includes the room, water and electricity, high-speed uncapped Wi-Fi, security and access control, plus on-site support services. Washers and dryers in the laundry rooms operate on tokens handed out to students every month. Each room is furnished with a bed and mattress, a study desk and chair, and cupboard space, while kitchens come equipped with appliances including fridges, stoves and microwaves. All a student has to bring is bedding and personal items.

Help is available beyond office hours too. Each property has its own on-site team, and Resident Managers live in the building to assist students after hours. House Comms, made up of resident student leaders, work to foster community within each residence, and any student who feels unsafe or needs support can be referred to professional services. RISE also accepts payment from recognised bursary providers and financial aid schemes, a key factor for many households.

Applying while the early bird fee still applies

Everything is handled directly on the RISE website. Students choose a residence and room type, fill in the online application and upload their supporting documents. These usually include a copy of the ID or passport of both the student and a parent or guardian, proof of physical residence no older than three months, proof of income or proof of funding where relevant, and proof of enrolment at the university. Lodger Agreements are normally signed digitally, with a copy sent to parents for their records.

Until 31 December 2026, the early bird administration fee on 2027 applications is R750, made up of R250 due on approval and the remainder payable on or before check-in. On 1 January 2027 the fee increases to R950. Leases usually match the academic year and last 10, 11 or 12 months, and parents are free to assist with the booking and to be named as emergency or financial contacts.

The case for purpose built student housing

Securing safe, well positioned accommodation is still among the toughest practical hurdles facing students in South Africa's university cities. Residences built for students and located near campus cut travel time and costs, offer a settled environment for study and take away much of the uncertainty linked to private rentals. RISE bases its approach on six principles: quality accommodation, convenient locations, safety and security, health and safety, affordability and great student experiences. Since RISE is not tied to any one university, each building can house students from several institutions in the same city.

Families weighing up Student Accommodation in South Africa can see from this October's three featured residences how far the network has expanded. In 2027, a student bound for Wits, UCT or the University of the Free State will have a RISE option within walking or short travelling distance of campus, in addition to the established buildings in Hatfield, Braamfontein, the Cape Town Foreshore and Kimberley.

Parents can visit any property, and RISE advises booking ahead so that staff are on hand to show them around. Availability differs by location and room type, and RISE points out that only limited beds remain at some residences, so students who already know where they will study next year should apply sooner rather than later. When a property is full, applicants can join a waiting list and will be contacted once a room opens up.

All residences, 2027 rental rates and the online application can be found at https://www.risestudentliving.com/.

About RISE Student Living

RISE Student Living offers secure, modern, furnished student accommodation near university campuses in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Kimberley and Bloemfontein. Its portfolio comprises Units on Park, Units on Jorissen, Units on Blackwood, Units on Cape Station, Units on Main, Units on Birbeck and Nala Units. RISE Student Living is a subsidiary of the Eris Property Group, a South African owned and operated real estate company.