For thousands of South African students, October means final exams, but it also means a question that cannot wait much longer: where will they live in 2027? RISE Student Living, the student accommodation arm of the Eris Property Group, has chosen this moment to put the spotlight on three of its biggest buildings. They are Units on Blackwood in Parktown, Johannesburg, Units on Main in Observatory, Cape Town, and Nala Units in Universitas, Bloemfontein. Between them, these residences contribute over 3,000 beds to a portfolio that also covers Units on Park in Hatfield, Units on Jorissen in Braamfontein, Units on Cape Station on the Cape Town Foreshore and Units on Birbeck in Kimberley.
There is a practical reason to act now. All three residences are offering an early bird administration fee on 2027 applications, valid only until 31 December 2026. A student who secures a bed before the holidays pays the reduced fee and starts the new academic year with housing already sorted.
Units on Blackwood: 890 beds minutes from Wits
Found at 6 Blackwood in Parktown, Units on Blackwood is only a few minutes away from the University of the Witwatersrand. Its 890 purpose built beds will house residents for the first time in the 2027 academic year, so the months ahead form the building’s very first intake. Accommodation is grouped into clusters ranging from two bed pods to six bed pods, letting students decide between a compact shared apartment and a bigger household. According to the 2027 rate card on the RISE website, monthly rent per bed ranges from R5,950 in a six bed cluster to R8,000 in a two bed cluster, and no deposit is listed for these unit types.
As with every RISE property, the building is planned around spaces for studying and relaxing, and each resident joins the RISE Student Life Programme. Through activities, events, support services, leadership development and community building initiatives, the programme aims to help students develop as people while staying on top of their studies.
Units on Main: Observatory living with 975 beds
At 414 Main Road, Observatory, Units on Main places Cape Town students 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 fully complies with Department of Higher Education and Training standards. Facilities include dedicated study and IT areas, an on-site gym, laundry services, three landscaped courtyards and common spaces on each floor with views across Observatory.
The variety of Student Apartments on offer here makes the decision straightforward. Students who value privacy and a quiet place for late night study can opt for a self-contained studio, while those who enjoy sharing a kitchen and lounge may prefer a two or four bed cluster. Published 2027 rates start at R6,925 per bed per month for a standard single room in a four bed unit and go up to R11,000 for a solo studio.
Nala Units: the largest of the three, in Bloemfontein
With 1,191 beds, Nala Units at 40 Groenewoud Street, Universitas, is the biggest of the three and sits near 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 made up of 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. Residents have access to dedicated study facilities and communal spaces, and they also take part in the Student Life Programme.
For first time arrivals in Bloemfontein, Nala Units brings the RISE approach of security, inclusive rent and on-site support to a fifth South African city, joining Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Kimberley.
The standard across every RISE building
The fundamentals do not change from one residence to the next. RISE Student Accommodation is designed only for students and placed near major university campuses, with supermarkets, pharmacies and other daily essentials a short walk away. Security operates around the clock through 24/7 guarding, CCTV monitoring and biometric or electronic access control, which limits entry to registered residents and authorised staff.
In most cases, monthly rent 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 that students receive each month. Every 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 students need to pack is their 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 buildings to assist students after hours. House Comms, made up of resident student leaders, work to create a sense of community, and any student who feels unsafe or needs help can be referred to professional services. RISE also accepts payment from recognised bursary providers and financial aid schemes, something many families will want to know.
Applying before the early bird deadline
All applications go through the RISE website. A student chooses a residence and room type, fills in the online application and uploads the supporting documents. These usually include a copy of the ID or passport of both the student and a parent or guardian, proof of physical address dated within the last three months, proof of income or funding where relevant, and proof of university enrolment. Lodger Agreements are generally 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, of which R250 is due on approval and the remainder on or before check-in. On 1 January 2027 the fee increases to R950. Leases usually match the academic year and run for 10, 11 or 12 months. Parents are encouraged to assist with bookings and can 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 students face in South Africa’s university cities. Residences built specifically for students near campus cut travel time and costs, offer a stable study environment and take away much of the uncertainty of the private rental market. RISE grounds its model in six principles: quality accommodation, convenient locations, safety and security, health and safety, affordability and great student experiences. Because RISE is not tied to any one university, its buildings can house students from several institutions in the same city.
Families weighing up Student Accommodation in South Africa can see from these three October highlights how far the network has expanded. Anyone starting at Wits, UCT or the University of the Free State in 2027 now has a RISE residence within walking or short travelling distance of campus, in addition to the established properties in Hatfield, Braamfontein, the Cape Town Foreshore and Kimberley.
Parents may visit any property, and RISE advises booking ahead so a staff member is free to show them around. Availability differs by location and room type, and with RISE noting that only limited beds remain at some residences, students who already know where they will study next year are urged to apply soon. 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.
Media Contact
Rise Student Living
Email: info@risestudentliving.com
Phone: +27 78 951 1261
Website: https://www.risestudentliving.com/
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Alan Straton
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