How to secure accommodation in Harare Zimbabwe

In this blog post, I am going to share with you how the process of securing a place to stay goes like for the average Zimbabwean. WARNING: Extreme sports ahead!!!

Haaa wangu, i swear you do not know the true Zimbabwean struggle kana usati wambo dealer nema accommodation agents. Yes, mjolo in Zim is extreme sports but have you ever tried working with those freelance accommodation agents? Those people will dribble you left right and centre apa vachikutorera shoma yaunayo haa.

You`re still here? Ok lets begin.

Imagine that you currently stay in warren park, and you want to move to a different location, say Braeside, probably because you changed your workplace and moving will have you cutting transport costs as well as managing time properly. Now, you cannot go door-to-door asking if they have a place to let, unogona kunorara waaku central police station.

That’s where agents in various neighbourhoods come in. They know landlords in the area, landlords know them, so they can get you a place to stay, cool right? Not so fast. Agents will charge you an average of $20 for viewing only. This money is paid upfront, before you get to see the house. Which means whether or not you like the house, iyi hais kudzoka iyi. Yafa iyi. They then promise you that they will get you a place to stay in no time and you can still view using the same $20. Sounds about fair. However, the problem is when they tell you another house has become available and you need to come view, you may be tied up with your business or work, by the time you get there it may be taken. On the flip slide, you may be able to go there and view house but not like it again.

Recently there has been rumours that scammer agents are teaming up with rogue landlords to list a property up for rent when its not. The idea is that a desperate Zimbo will pay the viewing fees, which they will split. They are then told the property they came for has been taken but can view other options, which they definitely wont like. This scheme is designed to milk desperate Zimbabweans of their last dollar without any care or sympathy whatsoever. Thanks to zimdens.com this shall come to an end soon.

Now all these will be costs on your side. Imagine if you have to view 10 different places or more before you finally get the one you like. The time, the transport or fuel costs of moving up and down to view undesirable properties. Lets move on, after getting a place, their agency fees are an average of 20% of the rent you will be paying. Besides this act promoting high charges in rent money, its just a lot for the average Zimbabwean. As if that is not enough, most landlords will need you to pay a security deposit which is usually the same amount as your monthly rent. If you are lucky the landlord may accept that you pay it in terms not in full. Congratulations!! Now you have a place to stay. Better be well behaved so you don’t go through all that anytime soon.

Thanks for reading! Home owners don`t forget to list your properties for free on zimdens.com, we also have a mobile app coming soon. Help us help the average Zimbabwean!