What Expats Need to Know About Housing in Tanzania

Whatever the reason for wanting to move to Tanzania, known for the Victoria Falls, tanzanite gems, and amazing wildlife, you need to know the basics about housing in the country. Here is a brief introduction.

Buy or rent?

Most expats rent houses or apartments for the period of their contract work in Tanzania. The Tanzanian government owns all the land; you cannot buy property and receive the title deed for it. You can lease the property from the government for up to 99 years, or from a landlord that leases property and sub-lets it.

Where to find good housing

Reasonably priced and well-maintained housing (according to Western standards) is available in the larger cities, like Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. Landlords often ask excessively high prices for homes when negotiating with expats, especially in Dar es Salaam. You will benefit from making use of our services in finding reasonably priced housing and negotiating the rental agreement on your behalf. An important tip is to never sign the rental agreement before having inspected the property, as rental scams are common. It might be better to first stay in temporary accommodation and then move into a rental apartment.

How to find housing in Tanzania

The Internet makes it easier to locate apartments and houses in Tanzania, but there is a risk of paying a deposit to a fraudster. Making use of our house-finding and negotiating services will help eliminate the risk of falling victim to fraud. You can also talk to other expats on forums to find suitable housing. When it comes to Arusha, finding appropriate housing is easier. Post on the Tanzania Mailing (formerly Arusha Mailing) forum, detailing what you are looking for, and companies in Arusha will receive the details and help you find appropriate housing.

Important things to look for in housing

Make sure the property you intend to rent has electricity and running water. Internet access will be important for banking and communication with friends and family, as well as your company colleagues. Enquire about the Internet connectivity in the specific region where the property is located. Find out whether you are responsible for repairs to the property or whether the landlord is. Ask whether the rental price includes water and electricity, or whether this is charged separately. Security is essential and you need to find out whether there is a security guard on duty, whether there is an alarm system, and what other security measures are in place.

Why help is important

Research about the country to which you want to relocate is essential. Each country has its own unique infrastructure, culture, politics, education, sports, climate, and geography. Work permits, housing regulations, and transport problems, are important factors to consider. So, when looking for furniture-removal companies, look for firms that operate internationally, and have a proven track record of furniture removal from your country to the destination country. We have extensive experience as a well-known furniture removal company regarding relocation and furniture removal to African countries including the likes of Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, Nigeria, and South Africa.

We assist with information, guidance, and a full range of services, such as finding houses and negotiating terms and conditions, in addition to furniture removal, to make your move as easy and incident-free as possible. This sets us apart from other furniture removal companies.