Finding a Home in Namibia: The Simple Path to a Good Move
Moving to a new house is one of the biggest things you will do with your money. If you do it right, you feel safe and happy. If you do it wrong, you lose money and stay stressed. This guide explains how to win at renting in Namibia without the “big words.”
1. Timing: Don’t Join the “Holiday Rush”
In Namibia, everyone tries to move at the same time, usually at the end of December or the very start of January. We call this the “Holiday Scramble.” When you look for a house during the holidays, you are in a rush. When you rush, you don’t look at the cracks in the walls, you don’t check if the area is safe at night, and you sign papers you don’t understand.
- The Smart Move: Try to look for a house when other people aren’t looking. You will have more choices and the landlords will be more willing to talk to you.
2. The Money: Counting Every Cent
Most people only look at the “Rent Price.” But the rent is only one part of what leaves your pocket. You need to think about “The Total Cost.”
- Water and Electricity: Some houses include these in the rent, but most do not. If you love long showers or keep the lights on all night, a “cheap” house can become very expensive quickly. Always ask: “Is the water included?” or “Is the electricity pre-paid?”
- The Deposit (The Safety Money): Landlords usually want one full month of rent as a deposit. This is money they keep in case you break something.
- Pro Tip: If you don’t have all the deposit money today, don’t give up. Many landlords are nice people. Ask them: “Can I pay half the deposit now and the rest next month?” > Important: If you need help figuring out if a price is fair, Elidge Corporate Services can look at the deal for you to make sure you aren’t being cheated.
3. Location: Where You Live Costs You Money
You might find a beautiful, cheap house in a place far away from town. But before you move there, take out a pen and paper.
- The Taxi/Petrol Tax: If you save N$1,000 on rent but spend N$1,500 more on taxis or petrol to get to work, you are actually losing N$500 every month.
- The Time Tax: If you spend two hours every day sitting in traffic, that is time you could spend with your children or resting. Your time is worth money!
- Safety in the Area: Some places like certain parts of Katutura or Windhoek West are different. One might be louder, one might be safer. If you move to a dangerous street just because it’s cheap, you might get robbed. Then, you have to spend even more money to replace your TV or clothes.
4. The Kitchen and the Rooms: A Checklist
When you walk into a house to look at it, don’t just look at the paint. Look at how the house works.
- The Kitchen “Breathe” Test: When you cook porridge or meat, steam goes up. If the kitchen doesn’t have a good window or a fan (a hood) above the stove, that steam stays in the house. It makes the walls peel and creates mold, which can make your children cough or get sick.
- The Cupboard Check: Open the cupboards. Is there enough space for your pots and your food?
- The Bedroom Rule: If you are just a couple, do you really need three bedrooms? Every extra room is extra money you are giving away for no reason. Use that money to buy food or save for your own land one day.
- The Yard: If you have a dog, the dog needs a yard. If you sign a paper that says “No Pets” and you bring a dog anyway, the landlord can kick you out and keep your deposit.
5. Keeping Your Things Safe (Security)
In Namibia, we have to be careful. Security isn’t just about feeling safe; it’s about Insurance.
- The Insurance Rule: If you have insurance for your things (like your TV or fridge), the insurance company will ask: “Does the house have burglar bars? Does it have an electric fence?”
- The Risk: If you rent a house with no bars on the windows and someone steals your things, the insurance company might say: “We won’t pay you because the house wasn’t safe.” You end up losing everything.
- The Garage: If you live in Walvis Bay or Swakopmund, the air has salt from the sea. This salt eats the metal on your car (rust). If you don’t have a garage to put your car in, your car will lose its value very fast. A garage is like a coat for your car.
6. Testing the Internet
Many people now use their phones or computers to work or for school. Never trust a landlord who says “The internet is great here.” Test it yourself.
- The YouTube Test: Stand in the middle of the house. Open YouTube on your phone. Play a video. Does it play right away? Or does it show a spinning circle?
- If it shows a spinning circle, it means the signal is weak in that house. If you need the internet for work, this house will make your life very hard.
7. The “Strategic Downgrade”: Moving Down to Move Up
Sometimes, life gets hard. Maybe you have too many debts or your job changed.
- Don’t Be Ashamed: Many people are afraid to move from a “fancy” area to a “simple” area because they worry about what their neighbors or family will say.
- The Truth: Your family isn’t paying your bills. If moving to a smaller, cheaper flat saves you N$2,000 a month, that is N$24,000 a year! You can use that money to pay off your debts and start fresh.
- Moving to a cheaper place for a short time is a smart power move, not a failure.
8. You Are Not Alone
Renting a home is like building a bridge to your future. You want that bridge to be strong and not too expensive. If you focus on your budget, your safety, and your travel time, you will find a home that makes you happy.
If you are feeling confused or need a professional to help you find the best spot in Namibia or anywhere in Africa, reach out to Elidge Corporate Services. They are experts at helping people relocate and start businesses in Namibia. You can find them at www.elidge.com/contact.
