The Sunday News
Real Estate Issues, Jonathan Thompson
FOR the past few weeks we have been discussing the process of finding the right rental properties for you. So you have begun your search and now you have arranged to go and view a few different properties. What should you be looking for? Here are some very important questions to ask…
1. Who am I speaking to? Is the person showing you the property the owner, a registered Real Estate agent, or a tenant? If the person is a tenant of the property, then it is likely that he is expecting you to enter into a sub-lease, not a lease. A sub-lease is where a person rents a property from the owner, and then proceeds to rent out the property to someone else.
Many times in Zimbabwe, the tenant lives in the house and sub-leases out extra rooms, cottages, and/or the staff quarters. A sub-lease is not illegal, but many leases explicitly forbid sub-leasing. A tenant who sub-leases would then be in breach of his lease agreement, jeopardising his own lease and all of the tenants under him. A person who is sub-leasing in contravention of his own lease agreement will normally not be willing to show you his lease. Many issues can arise from this situation. Are the rentals actually being paid to the owners? Have there been lease violations? If the owner gives notice to vacate to the first tenant, does he also give that notice to the sub-tenants, so that they know what is going on? Often the answer to these questions is “No”. This can put you into a very uncomfortable situation.
2. Does the house have the “non-negotiables” or the “must haves” that I want? These are the things that you really want in your home. This may include an en-suite bathroom, nice garden, lock-up garage, borehole, or the number of bedrooms.
3. Is the monthly rental amount affordable to me? To determine affordability, we can use a rule of thumb that states that your rentals should not exceed one week’s income. So if you earn $1,000 per month, you should look for a rental of no more than $250 per month. In Zimbabwe, we tend to use the idea that rentals should not exceed 50 percent of your monthly income. Therefore a monthly income of $1,000 per month, would suggest that you have the ability to pay up to $500 for a monthly rental. It would be advisable to stick to the 25 percent rule, when possible. Your individual situation may vary, but these are good indicators that may suggest that a rental may be too much for your budget.
4. Who is paying the bills? Who will pay the rates? Are there levies to pay, and who is responsible for them? Does the property come with a gardener or maid, and who is responsible to pay them? Are there outstanding bills? You do not want an interruption of services, because someone else did not pay their bills. Be sure that it is clear, and outlined in you lease agreement who is responsible for which bills.
5. Is the house in good shape? Look for cracks, doors that don’t fit, and any other signs that the foundation of the house is compromised. Look at the ceiling in every room to see if there are leaks, or signs that the ceiling has been recently painted. Look around the fireplace for signs of water leaks. Has regular maintenance been done on the property? Look at the electrical outlets for signs of burn marks. Do the doors close properly, and do they have keys? Do the tiles on the floor have a hollow sound when you step on them? This could be a sign that they are loose. Are there any signs of rats or insect problems? Look for and record any broken windows, missing door handles, missing toilet seats, etc. Any problems can be repaired and sorted out, but be sure to determine whose responsibility that this will be.
These five simple questions can save you many future headaches. It is a very good idea to write a WhatsApp or email to the owner, right after the conversation, where you say, “This is what I understood that we agreed on today…” This easy communication can clear up any possible misunderstandings that you and the landlord might have. You do not want to begin your life in a new home with avoidable problems. Discuss these questions with your potential landlord to start off your rental relationship in the best way possible.
Jonathan Thompson is a Registered Real Estate Agent who works in Bulawayo. He has nine years of experience in Real Estate in the USA, and another 10 years’ experience in Bulawayo. He is the founder and the Managing Director of Thompson Properties (Pvt) Ltd. He has great interest in the Real Estate Industry of Zimbabwe, and actively invests in Real Estate.
