Budget for rent

How much can you afford for rent? Don’t ‘sweep’ off your account to pay for that specific apartment or room or house because you want to live in that expensive area. In many instances there are other accommodation which will fit your budget perfectly without the discomfort of not having enough left. According to lendkey studies report, you should not spend more than 30% of your monthly salary on rent or annual salary on a 1year advance rent.

As a matter of fact, rent is a major expense which will take a good amount of your salary. Try and select an apartment you can comfortably pay each recurring month. In many instances in Ghana, landlords are into 1 – 2years advance payment. Kindly walk away if you think it’s beyond your means, because, there are other landlords with flexible payments terms

Don’t spend all your money on rent, because, there are utilities to be paid for; water, electricity and possibly waste collection (Zoomlion). In many houses offered for rent, you have to paint or fix a few cracks here and there. So, be cautious. This means that you will need to pay for rent and get some money done for these unexpected costs.

Basic Amenities / Personal Preference

You cannot choose a place to rent without looking at the availability or issues of Electricity, Water supply, Dustbins (for waste), mobile network, internet availability etc. Make some enquiries about these basic amenities or preferential needs. Check the neighbourhood if there are good access to exit and entry; good roads or untarred ones and pathways. The house or apartment with access to good is crucial since, it could be needed during emergencies or daily commuting. No one stays in their apartment or room for a whole year, so, how to go and come in is important.

This does not mean, search for an expensive area with all these amenities, but, choose an affordable area with these facilities. Also, having access to internet or data for calls is crucial. Check if the neighbourhood have access to these basic but important services. You might not have all the perfect things, but, in a hierarchy of importance make a decision of what is important to you.

You can have a personal preference for size of the house or compound where you want to live. However, this is your sole prerogative.

Searching for Rent

This has been critical with those who are not interested in using house agents or have no prior knowledge of the nearest accommodation. You can check around in specific neighbourhood or ask friends. This is where Nasqo Properties come in.

Security and Safety

Security cannot be over-emphasised this much, but, it’s very important factor to consider. You don’t want to put your life in danger as well as your properties too. Do a little research about how prone and frequent issues of armed robbery occurs in the area. Also, whether there are enough street lights or people living around to help in time of desperate need. Don’t compromise on security. Check if the area has good routes or nearby policy station or temporal security post.

Before you move in do some few investigations to ascertain how secured the room, apartment or house to be hired will be. There is no perfect location for risk averse in terms of robbery or harm caused to lives, but, ensure the place have good routes or nearby security assurance facilities.

Also, check if they house is gated and if not, then availability of street lights, change all locks when you move in as well.

Safety could also come from the state of the building, make sure, it’s not an old dilapidated house which could pose as a danger to you or your family. Also check the windows if they are well fitted and safe. Ensure the building structure is in good condition as well, because, your life is much precious.

Tenancy Agreement

Read the tenancy agreement properly to find out if cost of renovation or any issues concerning repairs is the cost of Landlord or the tenant. If there is none, try and draft one quickly for all partners to agree to. This is also crucial, before you count money to rent that apartment, room or house make sure you have done due diligence. This is important if you are using an agent. Some of the agents could be dubious in their work. Ensure that the landlord has approved the room, house or apartment to be vacant. This is to avoid double tenant situations.

Tenancy Agreement in Ghana

There have been issues when a tenancy agreement was given to two people or one persons agreement has not ended and another came in. Avoid all these, by asking questions concerning earlier occupants. Ask questions about the facilities and what are you paying for. Is the rent covering Zoomlion (waste collection) or anything else. In terms of renovation, it should be the responsibility of the landlord, but also query that as well, if you could fix and reimburse or deduction in rent. Also, Some landlords require their tenants to pay for maintenance once a year while others don’t. Ask the agent or landlord if you are required to pay any maintenance fee and also what’s to happen in the case of emergency repairs.

With all these details, factor them in the tenancy agreement. Write them boldly what you are paying for and all the information provided. The date of the rent is important. Also, make sure, the landlord signs the document not the agent. After landlord has signed upon the two of your reading what is written in the agreement. If the tenancy agreement is already prepared, then find out more about certain clauses you find unclear. This will avoid future disagreements.

Finalize with payment

After all these due diligence is done, do not waste time on payment if the house, apartment or room is the right for you to rent. If you do not hall full payment money, just let the landlord know of it and you will pay within few months. However, if the money is available, in order not to lose the perfect rent offer and after you are comfortable with all the due diligence and personally visited the accommodation being offered for rent. Now it’s time to make payment, make sure the landlord, landlady or house owner has in the process of payment. If possible pay to them directly and deal with any agent later. House owner’s agreement too needs to be properly signed.

One final caution, making payment to untrustworthy agents might bring complications, but with the right trustworthy realtors, you are guaranteed and safe payment and home.

You can rely on Nasqo Properties, a well-tested and trusted realtor in Ghana now.