Student accommodation in Pretoria starts with university residences. The University of Pretoria has 29 residences across its campuses, and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) runs its own residences on its Pretoria campus. Places at both are limited, residence fees are set by each university each year, and many students end up renting privately, where South African law protects your deposit. This guide explains how to apply and what the rules say, and it is clear about what I could not confirm.
Details come from the University of Pretoria’s accommodation pages, TUT’s accommodation page and a legal explainer on the Rental Housing Act, checked on 1 November 2026. I could not find published 2026 or 2027 residence fee amounts on the pages I could read, so this guide gives no prices for them.
University of Pretoria residences
- Where: 29 residences across the Hatfield (and Hillcrest), Groenkloof, Prinshof and Onderstepoort campuses. Each is listed as women’s, men’s or mixed.
- How to apply: the online application you use for academic admission also serves as the residence application. If you did not apply for residence then, you can apply later through the UP Student Portal.
- A place is not guaranteed: the university says that because of high demand, placement is not guaranteed, and applying early significantly improves your chances.
- Reservation levy: new residence students must pay a reservation levy by the deadline in their placement letter. The amount is given in that letter.
- What fees cover: annual fees cover the academic period only. Recess periods in March and April and in June and July, and any early occupancy before the official move-in date, are excluded.
- Contact: Residence Placement on +27 12 420 3112.
The university says fees are determined each year by the University Council and publishes them on its residence fees page. The page I read did not list amounts for 2026 or 2027, so confirm the current figure with the university before you budget.
Tshwane University of Technology residences
TUT’s 2026 page lists these residences for its Pretoria campus:
| Type | Residences |
|---|---|
| Female | Astra, Denise, Heidehof, Minonet, Polonaise |
| Male | Monitor |
| Mixed | Legae, Lezard, Magalies, Orion |
- How to apply: first-year students apply online when they apply for admission and indicate that they need accommodation. TUT says only online applications submitted to it will be considered.
- Allocation: places depend on successful academic acceptance and available space, and are given first come, first served. Successful applicants are notified from November, and late applications are not considered.
- First-year rules: first-years take part in the mentorship programme, and placement depends on the course of study.
- If residences are full: TUT refers you to private accommodation. It says some of its residences are off campus and served by university transport, but it does not describe or endorse private options.
- Fees: the page points to a “2026 Res Fees” document without giving amounts.
Renting privately in South Africa
A legal explainer on the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999 says the landlord must invest a deposit in an interest-bearing account for the tenant’s benefit (section 5(3)). You can ask for written proof of the interest earned, and the deposit and interest must be refunded within seven days of the lease ending, less any deduction for damage. The explainer notes that some landlords do not pay the interest, so ask about it before you sign and keep your receipts. For a dispute, speak to a tenant advice service or the relevant provincial rental housing authority.
What to check before you book
- Apply for a residence when you apply for admission: both universities link the two applications, and places are limited.
- Recess periods: University of Pretoria residence fees cover the academic term only, so ask what you will do during the March to April and June to July breaks.
- The reservation levy: find out the amount and its deadline in your placement letter.
- A private lease: read the deposit, interest and refund clauses, and keep a signed copy.
- Distance and transport: check how you will get to campus if you live off campus.
I could not verify residence fee amounts, application deadlines, whether any residence is accredited for NSFAS funding, private student rents, or which areas are best for students from official sources, so I have not stated them. UNISA is a distance-learning university and I have not covered it here. Never pay a deposit before you have a written agreement and proof that the property is genuine. Before you commit, read our guide to university halls versus private housing, the checklist of what to look for before you sign and our safety guide.
FAQs about student accommodation in Pretoria
How do I apply for University of Pretoria residence?
The online admission application also serves as the residence application, and you can apply later through the UP Student Portal. Placement is not guaranteed.
How many residences does the University of Pretoria have?
It has 29 residences across its Hatfield (and Hillcrest), Groenkloof, Prinshof and Onderstepoort campuses.
When does TUT notify residence applicants?
TUT says successful applicants are notified from November, and that late applications are not considered.
What happens to my rental deposit in South Africa?
Under the Rental Housing Act the landlord must hold it in an interest-bearing account for your benefit and refund it with the interest within seven days of the lease ending, less any deduction for damage.
Sources
- University of Pretoria: accommodation
- University of Pretoria: residence fees
- Tshwane University of Technology: accommodation
- GoLegal: security deposits under the Rental Housing Act
All checked 1 November 2026.
