MSA House Rules and Regulations
Room Allocation
Rooms are allocated according to the residence’s accommodation policy. Students will not be allocated to share a room with a person of a different gender where the room allocation policy prohibits this.
MSA will make reasonable efforts to place students with compatible roommates and, where possible, to consider reasonable rooming requests. Rooming requests are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.
The Residence Manager may amend room allocations where reasonably necessary for operational, safety, disciplinary or accommodation-related reasons.
Students who wish to change rooms must submit a request to the Residence Manager. A room change may only take place once availability has been confirmed and written approval has been given.
Check-in / Check-out
Rooms will normally be allocated before arrival. Standard check-in is from 12:00 on the day of arrival and standard check-out is by 15:00 on the day of departure, unless another arrangement has been approved in writing by the Residence Manager.
Students must complete the required check-in documentation and room inspection process on arrival and return all keys and property issued to them on departure.
Residence Security
Students must close and secure the residence entrance door behind them and must not allow unknown or unauthorised persons to enter the building.
Students must not allow another person to follow them into the residence through a controlled access point without that person completing the required security and visitor procedures.
Unauthorised persons may be required to leave the residence immediately.
Visitors
Visitors are permitted only in accordance with MSA’s visitor procedures and during the approved visiting hours.
Visitors may not enter a student’s bedroom unless specifically authorised by MSA. Parents, sponsors and approved study-group visitors may be permitted in accordance with the applicable arrangements.
Study-group visitors may only use the venue allocated for the study group and must remain accompanied by the resident student.
Visiting hours are Sunday to Thursday until 22:00 and Friday and Saturday until 24:00, unless MSA communicates different hours.
Visiting Hours:
Sunday to Thursday: until 22h00
Friday and Saturday: until 24h00, unless MSA communicates different hours.
All visitors must enter through the designated security entrance and complete the Visitor Log. Residents are responsible for their visitors while on the property and must accompany them when they leave.
Visitors and day students may not sleep over unless MSA has expressly authorised an exception in writing. Breaches may result in disciplinary action and/or restrictions on future visitors.
MSA reserves the right to refuse access to a visitor where there is a reasonable safety, security or conduct concern.
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
MSA is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive living environment. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, unwanted sexual attention, sexual intimidation, sexual coercion, stalking, non-consensual sexual contact, sharing intimate images or content without consent, and any other form of sexual misconduct are strictly prohibited.
Students must respect personal boundaries and obtain clear consent before any sexual or intimate contact. A person’s silence, lack of resistance, previous relationship, or previous consent does not by itself constitute consent to further sexual activity.
Students who experience or witness sexual harassment or sexual misconduct should report it to the Residence Manager or another designated MSA staff member as soon as they feel safe to do so. Reports will be handled sensitively and, where appropriate, referred to the relevant authorities or support services.
Retaliation against a student who makes a good-faith report or participates in an investigation is prohibited. False or malicious allegations may themselves constitute a disciplinary matter.
Dress Code
Students must be appropriately dressed in all public and shared areas of the residence.
Slippers, gowns and pyjamas may only be worn in bedrooms and when travelling directly to or from bathrooms, unless otherwise permitted by MSA.
Noise and Curfew
Quiet hours are from 22:00 to 07:00. During quiet hours, noise must be kept to a minimum so that other students can sleep and study.
If noise can reasonably be heard outside a student’s room during quiet hours, it is considered excessive. Loud music, amplified speakers, vehicle sound systems and disruptive behaviour are not permitted.
Curfew is 21:00 on weekdays and 03:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, subject to MSA’s access and security procedures.
Door slamming, drunken or disorderly behaviour and conduct that unreasonably disturbs other residents are prohibited.
Repeated breaches may result in disciplinary action and/or the application of the published fines.
Smoking, Vaping and Bongs
MSA is a non-smoking residence. Smoking and vaping are prohibited inside bedrooms, residences, venues and other prohibited areas.
Smoking is restricted to designated outdoor areas where ashtrays have been provided. Students must use the designated ashtrays and must not leave cigarette ends or other waste on the property.
Smoking or vaping in a prohibited area may result in a fine and disciplinary action.
Fire Safety
In the event of a fire or other evacuation, students must immediately leave the building using the designated emergency exits and follow staff and emergency-service instructions.
Fire extinguishers, alarms, emergency exits and other fire-safety equipment must not be tampered with, obstructed or misused.
Any deliberate interference with fire-safety equipment will be treated as a serious disciplinary matter and may also be reported to the relevant authorities.
Socials and Events
Social events may be arranged jointly by MSA management and the Student Representative Council (SRC), subject to approval. All events must comply with MSA’s health, safety, security and responsible-conduct requirements. MSA may impose reasonable conditions on any event and may cancel or stop an event where safety, security or property concerns arise.
Pet Policy
Pets are not permitted on the property, except where applicable law requires reasonable accommodation of an assistance animal or another legally protected exception.
Laundry Services
Laundry facilities are for resident use only and must be used responsibly.
Laundry hours are 07:00 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, unless MSA communicates otherwise.
Clothing and other items may not be hung in public areas or from windows. MSA and the property owner do not accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal laundry or other personal belongings.
Drugs and Prohibited Substances
MSA does not permit the unlawful use, sale, distribution, possession or promotion of illegal drugs or prohibited substances on the property or during residence-related activities.
Prescription medication must be used only by the person to whom it has been prescribed and in accordance with the prescribing healthcare professional’s instructions.
Any suspected drug-related activity may be dealt with under MSA’s disciplinary procedures and, where appropriate, referred to law enforcement or other relevant authorities.
Students must comply with South African law concerning cannabis. MSA may impose additional reasonable residence rules concerning smoking, vaping, possession, distribution, nuisance, safety and use of substances on the property. No student may supply cannabis or any other prohibited substance to another person.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption is permitted only subject to MSA’s residence rules, applicable law and responsible-conduct requirements.
A student may not keep more than six 330 ml beers/ciders or one 750 ml bottle of wine in their room at any one time. Spirits are not permitted on the property.
Excessive consumption, intoxication, disorderly conduct, violence, damage to property or conduct that threatens the safety or comfort of others is prohibited, regardless of the quantity of alcohol involved.
MSA may restrict or prohibit alcohol in a particular area or for a particular event where reasonably necessary for safety, security or conduct reasons.
Where serious or repeated alcohol-related incidents occur, MSA may notify a parent, guardian or sponsor where this is permitted by the applicable agreement and law.
Room Inspections and Searches
MSA may conduct reasonable room inspections for purposes including hygiene, maintenance, pest control, safety, asset verification and compliance with the residence rules.
Routine inspections should, where reasonably practicable, be conducted with the resident present and with reasonable notice. Where an urgent safety, security, maintenance or serious conduct concern requires immediate access, MSA may enter the room in accordance with the accommodation agreement and applicable law.
Where a search is necessary because of a serious safety or security concern, MSA will follow its approved search procedure and keep a record of the reason for the search and persons present.
Students must cooperate with reasonable inspections. Any prohibited item or conduct identified may be dealt with under the disciplinary procedure and applicable law.
Housekeeping
Students are responsible for keeping their bedrooms clean, hygienic and reasonably tidy.
Students must clean up immediately after preparing food or using shared kitchen facilities. Dirty containers, pots, plates and utensils must not be left in shared areas.
Items left in shared areas may be removed in accordance with MSA’s housekeeping procedures. MSA will not routinely wash students’ personal dishes or cookware.
Ashtrays are not permitted in student bedrooms.
Damage caused by negligence, misuse or poor housekeeping may be charged to the student’s account. A housekeeping penalty may also be applied where a room is found to be in an unacceptably dirty or unhygienic condition.
Students must clean workspaces, common rooms and bathrooms after use and must consider other residents.
Kitchens
Shared kitchens are for resident students to prepare meals and must be kept clean and safe.
Students must clean the kitchen immediately after cooking and must leave work surfaces, appliances and utensils in a condition suitable for the next user.
Personal kitchen utensils and food should be clearly labelled where practical. Students may not take, use or remove food, utensils or other property belonging to another person without permission.
Cooking in bedrooms is prohibited because it creates a fire and health-and-safety risk.
Food Storage, Food Safety and Refrigeration
MSA will provide lockable food-storage lockers in the communal kitchens. Each student is responsible for purchasing and supplying their own suitable lock for their allocated locker.
All student food, snacks, ingredients and personal kitchen utensils must be stored in the student’s allocated food locker or in designated communal refrigeration/storage facilities, where provided.
Food may not be stored in student bedrooms. Students must not leave perishable food, open containers or food waste in bedrooms or communal areas outside the designated storage facilities.
Students are responsible for keeping their food locker clean and hygienic and for regularly checking expiry dates and disposing of spoiled or expired food. Food must be sealed appropriately to prevent pests, contamination and unpleasant odours.
Students must not store food belonging to another resident without permission and must respect the privacy and property of other students. MSA may remove spoiled, unsafe or abandoned food in accordance with its housekeeping and health-and-safety procedures.
Room Appliances and Electrical Equipment
Only electrical appliances and equipment approved or permitted by MSA may be used in student bedrooms. Students must not bring or use appliances that create an unreasonable fire, electrical, heat or safety risk.
Cooking appliances, hot plates, air fryers, deep fryers, gas appliances, open-flame devices, kettles, heaters or other high-risk appliances may not be used in bedrooms unless specifically authorised in writing by MSA. Cooking is permitted only in designated communal kitchen areas.
Electrical appliances must be maintained in safe working condition and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Damaged plugs, cables, adaptors or appliances must not be used and should be reported to the Residence Manager.
Students may be required to remove any appliance that MSA reasonably considers unsafe or unsuitable for use in the residence. Students are responsible for any damage caused by their appliances or misuse of electrical equipment.
Common Rooms / Common Areas
Common rooms and shared areas are provided for students to socialise, study and use shared facilities responsibly.
Students must keep shared areas neat, clean and tidy and must not monopolise facilities or interfere unreasonably with other residents’ use of them.
Noise must be kept at a reasonable level, particularly during quiet hours.
Smoking is prohibited in all indoor common areas.
Academic and Study Conduct
MSA supports an environment that allows students to study effectively. Students must behave in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with another student’s ability to study, attend online classes or complete academic work.
Designated quiet-study areas must be used primarily for studying and academic work. Students using these areas must keep conversations, music, phone calls and other noise to a minimum.
Quiet hours apply throughout the residence from 22:00 to 07:00. During examination or assessment periods, MSA may introduce additional or extended quiet-study periods and will communicate these arrangements to students.
Students must not disrupt online classes, examinations, assessments or study sessions through excessive noise, disruptive behaviour or inappropriate use of shared study facilities.
Internet / Wi-Fi
MSA provides Wi-Fi subject to the applicable package, bandwidth allocation and fair-use or daily usage limits.
Access to certain inappropriate or high-risk websites and services may be restricted, including pornography, gambling and torrent services.
Wi-Fi is intended to be available in designated study venues, public areas and, where technically feasible, student rooms.
Connection problems should be reported through the designated support channel. MSA will log service-related issues with the relevant IT service provider. MSA does not guarantee uninterrupted service and is not responsible for outages caused by infrastructure failure, theft, hacking, acts of nature or third-party contractors beyond MSA’s reasonable control.
Room Keys
Room keys will be issued on registration and/or arrival.
A replacement or additional key will be charged at the current applicable fee. The current fee should be confirmed by MSA before issue.
Lost keys must be reported to the Residence Manager immediately.
Parking
Students requiring parking must use the designated student parking areas and comply with MSA’s parking and security procedures.
Parking is subject to availability and allocation. Vehicles and belongings are parked at the owner’s risk unless otherwise required by law.
Damage to Property and Personal Belongings
Students may personalise their rooms only in ways that do not damage walls, fixtures, fittings or other property. Any approved wall attachments must be installed in a manner that avoids damage.
Additional furniture and personal belongings should be kept to a reasonable minimum so that rooms remain safe and uncluttered.
Students are responsible for damage caused by themselves or their visitors, other than reasonable wear and tear. Repair or replacement costs may be charged to the responsible student.
MSA does not accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal belongings except to the extent required by law. Students are responsible for taking reasonable precautions to safeguard their possessions.
Students must respect other residents’ belongings, including food, kitchen equipment and personal items.
CCTV / Surveillance
For safety and security purposes, CCTV may operate in common and other appropriate areas of the property.
Surveillance footage will be accessed, used, stored and disclosed only for legitimate purposes and in accordance with applicable law and MSA’s privacy practices.
CCTV does not operate in bedrooms, bathrooms or other areas where a reasonable expectation of privacy applies.
Cyber Conduct
Students must use MSA’s digital platforms and communication channels responsibly and lawfully.
Threats, harassment, intimidation, unlawful disclosure of private information, malicious communications, defamation and other unlawful or abusive conduct may result in disciplinary action and, where appropriate, referral to the relevant authorities.
Students must not use MSA systems to facilitate unlawful activity, compromise network security, gain unauthorised access to accounts or systems, or distribute harmful content.
MSA will deal with suspected cyber-related misconduct in accordance with its policies and applicable South African law, including the Cybercrimes Act.
POPIA and Personal Information
MSA processes students’ personal information for legitimate purposes connected with accommodation, administration, safety, security, communication, service delivery and legal or regulatory compliance.
Personal information will be handled in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and MSA’s applicable privacy policy.
MSA may use approved communication channels, including WhatsApp, for residence-related communications. Students should not share another person’s personal information, photographs or private messages without an appropriate lawful basis or permission.
Personal information will be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose or as required by law or other applicable obligations.
WhatsApp Group
MSA may create an official WhatsApp group for urgent residence communications, security notices, Wi-Fi updates and other operational matters.
Students must keep communications respectful and relevant. Vulgar, threatening, harassing, discriminatory, defamatory or inciting messages are not permitted.
Students should use the designated maintenance reporting process rather than using the general WhatsApp group, unless the issue is urgent.
MSA may remove inappropriate content, restrict participation or take disciplinary action where a student breaches the residence rules or applicable law.
Students may create separate social or study groups at their own discretion. The administrators and participants of those groups remain responsible for their own content and compliance with applicable law.
TV / Entertainment Systems
Where an Android TV device or other entertainment system is supplied, it remains MSA property unless otherwise stated.
Devices and remotes will be checked at check-in and check-out. Students are responsible for loss or damage beyond reasonable wear and tear.
Students must use streaming services and accounts only in accordance with the applicable service terms and must not alter, remove or reset the device without authorisation.
Legal Notices and Administrative Costs
Where permitted by the accommodation agreement and applicable law, MSA may recover reasonable administrative or legal costs incurred because of a student’s breach, non-payment or other default.
Any fixed fee or charge should be stated in the current fee schedule or accommodation agreement and communicated to the student before it is applied.
Security Searches
Students and their possessions may be subject to reasonable security checks in accordance with MSA’s security procedures and applicable law.
Where a room inspection or security search is required, MSA should, where reasonably practicable, have the Residence Manager or authorised manager present together with another staff member or appropriate witness.
Where an urgent safety or security concern requires entry while the student is absent, MSA may enter in accordance with the accommodation agreement and applicable law, with appropriate witnesses and records.
Security Gate Passes
Students may be required to obtain a gate pass before removing luggage, large personal items or other property from the premises.
Students who will be sleeping out or leaving the property with luggage should obtain the required gate pass during reception hours.
Students who are moving out must arrange a final room inspection and gate pass in advance where required.
Gate passes are issued at reception during office hours, currently 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, unless MSA communicates otherwise.
Reporting of Accidents and Incidents
Any accident, injury, security incident, serious maintenance issue or other emergency must be reported immediately to the Residence Manager, first-aid representative, staff member on duty or security.
After hours, students should use the emergency contact number or contact security. Emergency services, including police or ambulance services, will be contacted where necessary.
Students should cooperate with reasonable incident-reporting and investigation procedures.
Cancellation, Vacating and Room Inspections
The accommodation agreement is binding for the agreed term. Cancellation or early termination is subject to the notice, termination and other provisions contained in the signed accommodation agreement and applicable law.
Where a student intends to vacate, they must arrange a room inspection with the Residence Manager in advance and return all keys and MSA property.
The student must clean the room before handover. Where additional cleaning is reasonably required because the room was not left in an acceptable condition, the applicable cleaning charge may be recovered in accordance with the agreement.
Personal possessions may not be left behind after the accommodation agreement ends. Any costs or charges associated with property left behind will be dealt with in accordance with the agreement and applicable law.
Move-in and move-out inspections will be recorded and compared. Damage beyond reasonable wear and tear may be charged to the student. Reasonable wear and tear remains the responsibility of the property owner/management.
Non-Payment of Accommodation
Monthly accommodation fees are payable in advance by the due date stated in the signed accommodation agreement. The current handbook states the seventh day of each month; the signed agreement will prevail where it contains a different due date.
Late or non-payment may result in formal arrears notices and further action in accordance with the accommodation agreement and applicable law.
MSA may suspend services only where permitted by the agreement and applicable law. Any termination or eviction process must follow the legally required notice and procedure; students will not be removed from the premises merely by informal notice.
Accommodation agreements are valid only for the period stated in the agreement. Students wishing to renew must complete the renewal process within the period communicated by MSA. Renewal is subject to availability and the applicable terms.
Where a student fails to renew on time and remains in occupation, any applicable daily or holding-over charge must be clearly stated in the accommodation agreement or current fee schedule.
Fines and Penalties
The following penalties are the current published amounts and may be updated from time to time in accordance with MSA’s fee schedule and applicable law.
- Smoking / vaping / smoking bongs in a room: R300
- Smoking cannabis (inside or outside): R600
- Lost Keys: R250
- Poor housekeeping / room hygiene: R300
- Drinking in public / disorderly conduct: R500 = parent/guardian notification
- Curfew Late Return: R150
- Excessive Noise / Loud Music: R300
- Visitor / Sleepover breach or failure to register a visitor: R250
- Vandalism: Repair / replacement cost + possible contract termination + parent / guardian notification
- Cooking in a Room: R1000
A student may submit a written appeal against a fine or disciplinary outcome within 48 hours, in accordance with MSA’s disciplinary procedure. The appeal process should provide for a fair review by an appropriately authorised person.
Student Representative Council (SRC)
Students may elect an SRC in accordance with MSA’s election guidelines.
The SRC may include representatives responsible for student feedback, housekeeping matters and events, as determined by the student community and MSA.
The SRC may assist with social events, student engagement and communication between students and management.
MSA retains responsibility for the safety, security and lawful operation of the property. Where an SRC decision conflicts with a safety, security, contractual or legal requirement, MSA’s authorised management decision will prevail.
MSA may suspend or dissolve the SRC where reasonably necessary for safety, security, serious misconduct or effective residence management, subject to applicable law and fair process.
Indemnity and Liability
Students are responsible for safeguarding their personal belongings and for complying with reasonable security measures.
MSA does not accept liability for loss of or damage to student property except where liability cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
Students may bring personal appliances or equipment only where permitted by MSA and where the items comply with applicable safety requirements.
Nothing in these rules is intended to exclude or limit any right, remedy or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
The accommodation agreement and these rules may be accepted and signed electronically where permitted by law and the applicable agreement.
Emergency Contact Information
Residence Manager / Reception: Alistair Mugova, 011 315 8326
On-site Security: 073 296 7657
Emergency Services / Ambulance / Police: 082 112
Students should save the emergency contact numbers on their mobile phones before moving into the residence.
You can download a copy of these Rules and Regulations here.
Enquire
Enquire for questions about the rules or any other information you might need.