Many of us remember daydreaming about moving out. We daydreamed about what our first apartments will look like. We had dreams about the location, the rooms, the decor and many more.
Now, as an “adult”, one of the things you’ll likely do when you head out on your own is rent an apartment. The process can be a bit intimidating for a first-time renter. Below, we take you through the steps of finding an apartment in Ghana, navigating the legalese of the lease agreement, as well as managing your rights as a tenant.
You need to determine how much you are willing to spend on a property. Take a look at your monthly income. Experts recommend spending between 25% - 35% of your after-tax income on rent and housing. So, assuming your salary after taxes is $1,500 a month, then you shouldn’t pay more than $525 a month on rent. It is also important to note that you will probably have to pay some of the utility costs associated with your rental. So, you will need to budget another $100+ to cover those costs.
Keep in mind that some apartments have income requirements for prospective buyers for renting their property. These requirements may automatically disqualify you from renting their properties if you do not meet the specific income requirement.
You need to create criteria for your ideal apartment. What are you looking for in an apartment? Do you want a studio or a single bedroom? Maybe you want to rent a small house? Is it important that the apartment comes with appliances including a washer and dryer? Do you want it to be close to a school or your work? Do you want it to be within walking distance of retail, like groceries or coffee shops?
Put down just about anything in mind as you think of an apartment. If you aren't able to include everything on your apartment wish list, making a list will help narrow down your options. Go online and start looking for apartments using your criteria in hand.
After you have narrowed down the search to your desired location, the next thing to look out for is if the properties have the amenities you seek in a desired property. Many real estate agents, like Devtraco Plus, have a web page where you can look at floor plans, the amenities they offer, and the cost of the rent.
Smaller units might only have a phone number. Give the apartment owner or agent a call and ask about their available units and cost.
You may want to visit your potential rental units in person to see their condition and possibly submit a rental application. Make this process as efficient as possible by visiting as many of your potentials as you can in a single day. Saturdays are the busiest days for real estate companies as they take prospective buyers on a tour of their apartments, so try to visit during the week. It’s best to call the real estate company and set up an appointment with them. You’ll want to set aside about 45 minutes for each visit, so plan your appointments accordingly.
It is advised to visit during the rainy season to have a fair idea of the drainage system in the locality. Also, do well to run a cursory check at the noise levels, the waste management system, and whether or not the churches, mosques, and pubs are operating at reasonable noise limits. Check for good car parking space and the presence of good security. It is also important to ask how water bills, sanitation bills and other management rates are apportioned in the premises.
At Devtraco Plus you can schedule a private tour with any of our sales agents who will help you find your desired apartment. Check out Devtraco Plus’s website for the choicest properties in Accra. Fill the portal form indicating the kind of property you want and you will be called to schedule a viewing.
Additionally, you may visit the Devtraco Plus office on No. 8B, Sir Arku Korsah Road, Airport Residential Area or call 0302798692