Expat’s Housing Tips in Mbeya: When an expatriate plans to rent a house in Mbeya, the house search is a critical stage. For any expatriate relocation, it is indeed the moment where you identify your new home, sweet home. It shall then become your safe haven when your expatriation mood cycle may be down.

Price:

Housing can be anywhere from $300-$1,500 and maybe more in Dar es Salaam. In Mbeya the ryent seems to average $500- $1000, Moshi, $300- $800. Of course a lot of it depends on type of housing. These averages are for a typical 3 bedroom 2 bathroom, ‘normal’ type house.

What to look for:

The main thing that you want with a house is good water and electricity. There are many houses that can have problems with these two things. Also make sure that you can get internet in your area. In Dar this shouldn’t be a problem. Arusha down town won’t be a problem but double check it, even if you are a little outside of Mbeya, Arusha or Moshi.

Check with the land lord on who pays for repairs. Almost every doorknob has fell off of our house doors, several pipes have broken, we have had a repair man (fundi) fall through our ceiling, etc. We have a great land lord that takes any repairs/upgrades that we do off of the next rent that is due. Just make sure that you get and save receipts for everything.

If you plan to use a washer/dryer machine, you may have to get that hook up installed. Many houses are not build with this in mind. Also check to make sure that the power to the house is going to be strong enough to run them. Some houses do not get “full power”.

Unfinished Houses:

If you see a house for rent that you like but it is unfinished, don’t count it out.
A lot of houses are unfinished but you can talk with the owner and tell them everything that you want done before you move in. They will usually be quick to get it done if they know that someone is interested in moving in. Things that you may consider adding: electric fence, screens on the windows, cabinets in the kitchen, etc.

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