Renting expat accommodation in Botswana

If you're moving to Botswana, you should consider renting accommodation close to your workplace and your children’s school. Most expats live in the capital city, Gaborone, to be close to amenities.

Botswana boasts an affordable cost of living, and Gaborone is frequently ranked among the cheapest cities to live in. Nevertheless, property prices can be high if you opt for a modern home in a popular area. And, of course, holiday accommodation in Botswana's luxury lodges while on safari in one of the country's national parks won't come cheap either.

Types of accommodation in Botswana

Manor house on a farm by Jan van der Meulen from Pexels

Depending on how long you will be staying in Botswana, you may want to rent accommodation. Some expats may be interested in investing in and buying property in Botswana, from houses to farms. Typical expat accommodation in Botswana includes houses, townhouses, and apartments.

Many expats move to the towns or cities of Maun, Francistown and Gaborone, the capital city. Popular suburbs of Gaborone include Broadhurst and Phakalane. Phakalane is built around a golf estate and is the preferred residential area for many expats. As it is over 7.5 miles (12 km) north of Gaborone, some people prefer to live closer to town, schools, and workplaces. Many areas are numbered and named as 'Extensions', radiating out from the Government Enclave. Extensions 9 and 11 are among the most expensive parts of the capital city.

Houses

Houses are one of the most popular types of property in Botswana. Standalone houses generally offer a garden, which is great if you have a family with children or enjoy hosting friends. Some houses have swimming pools, which residents appreciate during the hot and humid summer months.

Townhouses

In addition to freestanding buildings, semi-detached townhouses and cluster homes are also available in Botswana. These are often located within gated complexes, which offer greater security than a typical house. Many of these are quite modern and offer contemporary designs.

Apartments

If you live in a large city like Gaborone, you can also find apartments or flats. As with other types of accommodation, you can rent unfurnished, semi-furnished or fully-furnished apartments in Botswana. Many apartments in Botswana are fairly modern, with a host of amenities in the complex like balconies and swimming pools.

Furnished vs unfurnished

Furnished flats usually come at a higher price but are common in Botswana's urban areas, making them perfect for expats and short-term visitors. These apartments typically include everything from furniture and appliances to bedding and cutlery.

If you rent an unfurnished apartment, you can rent furniture by the month or buy new furniture, easily sourced within the country. Unfurnished flats will only come with fitted kitchen cupboards, light fixtures, and wardrobes, so you will have to buy appliances, beds, and furniture.

Short lets

Thanks to a booming tourism industry, Botswana's short lets market is thriving. Initially, when you make the move to Botswana, it may be beneficial to rent a short-term property while getting to know Gaborone's different areas and suburbs. Short-let apartments found on platforms like Airbnb are fully furnished, and usually have utilities like WiFi included in the rental price. They tend to be cheaper than traditional hotels and are set up for slightly longer stays of a few weeks to a month or two.

Finding accommodation in Botswana

Depending on your personal circumstances, you can begin the property search while you are still home or after arriving. It's important not to sign a lease on a new home before seeing it in person, however. Online portals and listings, such as Property24 and TswanaHome.com, as well as social media platforms, are great ways to start the search.

We highly recommend enlisting the services of a real estate agent when looking to buy or rent accommodation in Botswana. These professionals have a good knowledge of the available housing market and can match this to a house hunter’s preferences.

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Renting accommodation in Botswana

Before signing a lease, prospective expats should read and understand all the terms and conditions, including deposits, fees, utilities, and notice periods.

Making an application

To rent a property in Botswana, you must submit several documents, including proof of identity and income. Some landlords may conduct a credit worthiness check, so expats may require a guarantor. Your income must also be at least 30 percent of the rental cost.

Leases

There are two types of leases in Botswana: fixed-period leases and indefinite leases.

Fixed-period leases establish a set end date for the rental agreement. These are popular among expats working in Botswana who know how long they plan to stay in the country.

Indefinite leases and those terminated at will are also available. If tenants sign a rental agreement allowing either the landlord or themselves to terminate the contract, they should agree to and confirm a reasonable notice period.

Deposits

A deposit of at least one month’s rent is required to lease accommodation in Botswana.

Terminating the lease

For fixed-period leases, no notice period is required to terminate. If you sign an indefinite lease, both tenant and landlord must provide a reasonable notice, which is not necessarily defined by law. For this reason, the notice period should be set out in the lease. Notice periods are usually between one and three months.

We recommend conducting a thorough inspection with your landlord when you move in and out, documenting any broken or damaged areas. When moving out, if the property is damaged, the landlord may subtract the costs for repairing the damage from your deposit.

Utilities in Botswana

Utilities, including water, electricity, gas (if in an area where piped gas is used) and refuse removal, must normally be paid for by the tenant. Costs are calculated according to the property size and usage level.

Electricity

Much of the electricity transmitted in Botswana is imported from South Africa. The Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) supplies the electricity in the country.

Typically, the electricity will already be connected when you move into a property. If not, you can apply for a service connection by filling out an application form online.

Gas

Botswana does not have a widespread piped gas network, so most households rely on bottled gas for cooking and heating. You can find bottled gas at petrol (gas) stations throughout the country. Otherwise, companies like Green Gas Botswana and Tswana Gas have distribution points in Gaborone.

Water

The Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) manages the water supply in Botswana. It's easy to submit a connection request on the WUC website and find out about tariffs if the property you are renting is not already connected to the water grid.

Similarly to electricity, you will have to fill out an online application form and submit the required documentation. WUC will then send out a technician to conduct an inspection and install a water meter. You may be required to pay a deposit to start the service.

Bins and recycling

Waste collection in Botswana is overseen by local municipalities. In Gaborone, the city council offers a weekly door-to-door waste collection service. General household and garden waste are collected at no charge. You can also request additional services for construction or hazardous waste at an additional cost if needed.

We recommend visiting your local city council office to find out about waste collection schedules. Although services are fairly frequent in suburban and affluent areas, the lower-income areas in Gaborone receive unreliable service, resulting in illegal dumping.

Recycling is in its infancy in Botswana, with private companies taking the lead in promoting sustainability. If you are looking to reduce your personal footprint, you can sort your recyclable waste and take it to NGOs like Enviro Recovery Botswana for recycling.

Internet

As the internet infrastructure in Botswana continues to develop, keeping in touch with friends and family back home becomes even easier. Internet access has improved in the country, with mobile networks offering everything from 3G to 5G connections. Some of the most popular mobile networks in the country include MTN, Mascom Wireless, and Orange Botswana.

There are also fixed broadband and satellite internet networks on offer. It's also easy to access international TV channels, thanks to providers like DSTV and StarTimes.

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Accommodation in Botswana