RISE Student Living Clears Up Parent Concerns Ahead of 2027

Once November arrives, the year ahead stops being an idea for a lot of South African households. Matric learners are sitting their exams, acceptance letters from universities are landing, and parents sending a child away from home for the first time start asking very practical questions. Who is around after dark? What does the monthly rent include? What needs to go in the suitcase? Ahead of the 2027 academic year, RISE Student Living, which runs the student housing business of the Eris Property Group, is answering these questions plainly, using the information it already publishes for students and their parents.

The idea is to give families time to decide calmly and with the full picture before the festive season, instead of scrambling during January registration. When parents know what is included, what is excluded and how daily life at the residence works, comparing options and drawing up a budget becomes much simpler.

The cities and residences

There are seven RISE Student Living residences across five cities. In Pretoria, Units on Park is in Hatfield. Johannesburg has Units on Jorissen in Braamfontein and Units on Blackwood in Parktown. Cape Town has Units on Cape Station in the Foreshore and Units on Main in Observatory. Units on Birbeck sits in New Park, Kimberley, and Nala Units is in Universitas, Bloemfontein. Every building is close to major university campuses.

RISE is not tied to any one university. Because it works closely with many institutions, a single residence can be home to students from several universities in the same city. The resident mix includes international students as well as students at different stages of their studies.

On-site support for students

Parents almost always ask about support first. At every RISE property, a dedicated on-site team takes care of daily needs, maintenance requests and general help. Resident Managers live in the building and assist students after hours, which means help is on hand beyond office times. Each location also has House Comms, a group of student leaders who help residents feel part of a community.

Families can contact a residence directly with general questions, and they are encouraged to book visits ahead of time so that a staff member is free to show them around. Before moving in, students are sent detailed instructions covering checklists, how to collect keys and orientation schedules.

Keeping residents safe

Security at every RISE building runs 24/7, with CCTV surveillance and biometric access control. Secure electronic access systems control entry to both the building and each apartment, so only registered residents and authorised staff can get in. Visitors are allowed on set days or during set hours and have to follow the sign-in process.

Fire alarms, extinguishers and evacuation signage are installed in every building, and there are emergency protocols for fire, medical and security incidents. Staff are trained to act quickly, and students learn the procedures during orientation.

Inside the monthly rent

Predictable monthly costs are a core part of how RISE Student Accommodation is set up. The company's published information states that rent typically includes semi-furnished accommodation, water and electricity, high-speed Wi-Fi, 24/7 security and access control, plus on-site support services. Each property's own listing spells out any extra inclusions or exclusions.

Every room is semi-furnished with a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe and shelving, and the kitchens and bathrooms have modern fittings. Private units come with their own kitchenettes, while shared apartments have communal kitchens equipped with fridges, microwaves and stoves. Each property also has a laundry room with washers and dryers that work on tokens, which students receive every month. On top of that there are study zones, computer and study labs, lounges and, in many buildings, gyms and games rooms.

Costs and items families arrange themselves

Knowing what falls outside the rent matters just as much. Bedding is the student's responsibility. Common areas are cleaned on a regular basis, but students look after their own rooms and dishes, and shared bathrooms inside shared units are cleaned weekly. Insurance for personal belongings is not provided automatically, so RISE Student Living suggests parents look into renter's insurance.

Families may also face costs for parking where it applies, fees to replace lost keys or access cards, and optional extras such as cleaning services. A few locations have a limited number of free parking bays, and these may have to be reserved ahead of time.

Paying for a place

At most RISE properties, students pay a refundable security deposit along with an administration or application fee, and the amounts differ from location to location. Monthly rent is normally settled by debit order or EFT, with payment schedules and due dates listed in the Lodger Agreement. Families who would rather pay for the whole year in one go can arrange this with the property management team.

Payments from recognised bursary providers and financial aid schemes are accepted, though supporting documents may be requested to confirm the funding. Every property has its own finance or admin contact, and those details are given to students when they sign up.

Cancellation terms are covered in the Lodger Agreement too. In line with the Consumer Protection Act, residents can end the agreement by giving at least 20 business days' written notice, and a reasonable cancellation penalty of one month's accommodation fee applies if it is terminated before the expiry date. Going through these terms before signing helps prevent unwelcome surprises later on.

Picking the right room

Room options at RISE include private studios, shared apartments and en-suite rooms, giving families room to match the choice to a student's budget and temperament. Private rooms have their own bathrooms, whereas shared Student Apartments may use communal ones. A first-year who enjoys having people around might lean towards a shared unit, while a senior student deep in research may prefer the calm of a studio.

More than somewhere to sleep

RISE Student Living says its mission is to create safe, supportive and inspiring spaces where students can thrive academically, socially and personally. Residents can attend events, sign up for leadership programmes or put themselves forward as House Comms, and the company provides wellness-focused amenities along with access to mental health resources. For families researching Student Accommodation in South Africa for the first time, this balance of support and independence often makes the choice clearer.

To browse each residence, read the complete FAQ and begin an application, visit https://www.risestudentliving.com/.

About RISE Student Living

RISE Student Living offers secure, modern student accommodation near university campuses in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Kimberley and Bloemfontein. Its residences are built solely for student living and feature 24/7 security, CCTV and biometric access control, uncapped Wi-Fi, study and computer labs, laundry facilities and recreational spaces. RISE Student Living forms part of the Eris Property Group.