Question 1

What is DigsConnect?

Accepted Answer

DigsConnect is South Africa's largest student housing marketplace. We connect students and young adults looking for accommodation with landlords across the country — close to universities, in major cities, and everywhere in between.  We're a marketing and booking platform that helps you find a place and connect with the landlord. The lease itself is always directly between you and the landlord — DigsConnect is not a party to any lease.

Question 2

Do I need to download an app?

Accepted Answer

No. DigsConnect runs in your browser — searching, enquiring and chatting all happen on the website. We send notifications straight to your WhatsApp, so there's no app to install.

Question 3

Which areas does DigsConnect cover?

Accepted Answer

We list student accommodation across South Africa, near major universities and in cities including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Gqeberha and more. Use the search to filter by city, suburb or university.

Question 4

Is DigsConnect affiliated with my university?

Accepted Answer

No. Unless explicitly stated, DigsConnect is independent of universities. Universities and residences can list on the platform as landlords, but that doesn't make us affiliated with or endorsed by them.

Question 5

How do I find a place?

Accepted Answer

Search by city, suburb or university, then filter by price, room type and more. When you find somewhere you like, hit  Enquire  to start the process.

Question 6

Does it cost anything to search or enquire?

Accepted Answer

No. Searching, enquiring and chatting on DigsConnect is 100% free for students. You only ever pay rent and a deposit directly to your landlord once you've signed a lease — never to DigsConnect.

Question 7

What happens after I enquire?

Accepted Answer

We notify the landlord and send you a WhatsApp to confirm. When the landlord replies, we WhatsApp you a link to their reply so you can view their contact info, arrange a viewing and take the next steps. The full conversation lives in your DigsConnect inbox.

Question 8

When do I get the landlord's contact details?

Accepted Answer

Once the landlord replies to your enquiry, their contact info unlocks and we'll WhatsApp you a link to their reply. Your details aren't broadcast to anyone before there's a real conversation going.

Question 9

Why WhatsApp?

Accepted Answer

Because that's where students already are. We send WhatsApp pings for the moments that matter — your enquiry confirmation and a tap-through link the second a landlord replies — while the full chat stays in your DigsConnect inbox so nothing gets lost.

Question 10

What's the booking process, step by step?

Accepted Answer

1) Find a place and enquire. 2) We WhatsApp you that the landlord's been notified. 3) The landlord replies — we send you a link to view their contact info. 4) Arrange a viewing and chat through the details on Digs chat. 5) Finalise and sign your own lease agreement directly with the landlord.

Question 11

Should I view the property before paying?

Accepted Answer

Yes — always. View the place in person, or arrange a video tour if you can't visit yet, and make sure you have a written lease before paying anything. See our  Safety page  for the full set of golden rules.

Question 12

Who do I sign the lease with?

Accepted Answer

Directly with the landlord. DigsConnect facilitates the connection and the chat, but the lease and all payments are strictly between you and the landlord.

Question 13

What is "Book Now"?

Accepted Answer

Book Now is an instant-booking option on Digs Managed listings — apply and reserve your room online without waiting for a reply.  It's coming soon  for students; for now, every listing works the classic way: enquire, chat, view and sign.

Question 14

What's the reward for booking through DigsConnect?

Accepted Answer

Every tenant who confirms a booking gets  12 months of Varsity Vibe Premium free  — South Africa's biggest student discount network, with hundreds of brand deals across food, fashion, entertainment, tech and travel. Premium normally costs R200 a year; we cover it.

Question 15

How do I unlock it?

Accepted Answer

Three steps: 1) In your Digs inbox, open the chat with your landlord and tap  "Self confirm"  (it's in the top panel on mobile, or the Details side panel on desktop), then complete the Tenant Confirmation form and tap "Unlock Rewards". 2) We validate your booking. 3) Once validated, your Premium activates automatically and we WhatsApp you to confirm.

Question 16

How do I make sure my Premium links up correctly?

Accepted Answer

When you sign up to Varsity Vibe, use the  same phone number  you used on DigsConnect, and choose  'DigsConnect'  as your institution.

Question 17

Is Varsity Vibe Premium really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes — for confirmed DigsConnect tenants it's R0 for a full year. You'll get your activation confirmation by WhatsApp once your booking is validated.

Question 18

I need help unlocking my reward.

Accepted Answer

WhatsApp our team on  +27 65 931 3808  and we'll help you confirm your booking.

Question 19

How does DigsConnect keep me safe?

Accepted Answer

We run internal checks on landlords and listings, verify every user's phone number with an OTP, keep your chat in our secure inbox, and assign you a dedicated support agent once you enquire. Look for the blue  Trusted Landlord  badge — it means that landlord has placed at least one tenant through DigsConnect before.

Question 20

Does DigsConnect visit every property?

Accepted Answer

No. DigsConnect does  not  visit every property in person. As set out in our Terms, tenants must validate the authenticity of a property and landlord themselves before making any payment or signing any documents.

Question 21

What are the warning signs of a scam?

Accepted Answer

Be cautious of a landlord who: has no profile picture or logo; asks for payment before a viewing or a lease; won't show the outside of the property; asks for personal info without a viewing or lease; stops communicating after getting your info or money; or won't arrange a viewing or video tour. See the full list on our  Safety page .

Question 22

How do I report a listing or conversation?

Accepted Answer

Every listing has a "Report this listing" link, and you can report a chat by tapping the icon at the top of the conversation in your inbox. A support agent will follow up. You can also WhatsApp us on  +27 65 931 3808 .

Question 23

Is listing my property free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Listing is free — unlimited rooms, unlimited enquiries, no subscription. We charge a one-off placement fee of  R1,950 ex VAT  only when a tenant signs a confirmed lease through us. Never on browsing, messaging or applications that don't convert.

Question 24

When is the placement (finder's) fee due?

Accepted Answer

The fee is invoiced upon Confirmation of Tenancy — when a tenancy agreement is executed or a rental deposit is paid, whichever is first. Payment terms are set out on your invoice and in our  Terms .

Question 25

What is Digs Managed?

Accepted Answer

An optional, white-labelled operations stack that runs applications, digital lease signing, auto-allocation, inspections, maintenance ticketing, billing and resident comms — plus an NSFAS/bursary funding workflow. Most landlords start with a free listing and switch it on when they're ready to automate.

Question 26

How much does Digs Managed cost?

Accepted Answer

It's priced per bed, per month, by your bed count:  Starter R109  (0–50 beds),  Growth R89  (50–300 beds), and  Scale R59  (300+ beds). Prices exclude VAT. Setup/onboarding fees apply for white-label configuration (waived for portfolios over 500 beds).

Question 27

What's the Book Now discount for landlords?

Accepted Answer

When a tenant books via Book Now (skipping the enquiry chat), Digs Managed landlords get  10% off the placement fee — R1,755 ex VAT instead of R1,950 .

Question 28

How long does onboarding take?

Accepted Answer

Around 4–6 weeks for Starter and Growth, and 6–8 weeks for Scale. Most landlords are taking applications within 30 days.

Question 29

Does DigsConnect charge students anything?

Accepted Answer

No. The platform is free for students — searching, enquiring and chatting cost nothing. You pay rent and deposit directly to your landlord after signing.

Question 30

Does DigsConnect handle my rent or deposit?

Accepted Answer

No. All payments are made directly between you and your landlord. DigsConnect is not a party to your lease and does not collect your rent or deposit.

Question 31

What is the landlord cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

If a cancellation occurs within the first 3 calendar months, a credit is issued for the portion of the placement fee for which the tenant did not stay — provided the cancellation is communicated to DigsConnect within 3 calendar months of the move-in date, with valid proof. Full detail is in our  Terms .

Question 32

How is my personal information used?

Accepted Answer

We process your data to operate the platform, connect you with landlords, meet legal obligations and (where you've agreed) send marketing. We comply with POPIA and the GDPR. The full detail is in our  Privacy Policy .

Question 33

What are my data rights?

Accepted Answer

You can request access to, correction or deletion of your personal data, object to or restrict processing, request transfer of your data, and withdraw consent. Email  data@digsconnect.com  to exercise these rights.

Question 34

Will you share my details with third parties?

Accepted Answer

Only as described in our Privacy Policy — for example with service providers, or accommodation partners you choose to engage. We only share your info with marketing partners (such as student-loan providers) if you explicitly opt in, and you can withdraw consent at any time.

Question 35

Does DigsConnect use cookies?

Accepted Answer

Yes — cookies help the site work and let us improve it. You can disable cookies in your browser, though some features may then be limited. See the Cookies section of our  Privacy Policy .

Question 36

How do I get help?

Accepted Answer

Once you've enquired, you're assigned a dedicated support agent who checks in throughout the process — just reply in your Digs inbox. For anything else, WhatsApp us on  +27 65 931 3808  or use the  Contact us  page.

Question 37

I'm a landlord — how do I get support or a demo?

Accepted Answer

Visit the  For landlords  page to list your property or book a demo of Digs Managed, or reach us via the Contact us page.

Question 38

Who do I contact about my data or privacy?

Accepted Answer

Email our data team at  data@digsconnect.com .

How can we help?

About DigsConnect

Searching & enquiring

Booking, viewing & signing

Varsity Vibe rewards

Safety & trust

For landlords

Fees & payments

Privacy & your data

Contact & support

Still need a hand?