Accommodation in Cape Town

Accommodation in Cape Town is plentiful, and expats will need to decide on their priorities before choosing the area and type of housing that best suits their needs.

House prices in Cape Town are among the highest in South Africa, with the most expensive properties situated closer to the city centre and seaside neighbourhoods. Most expats rent a property in Cape Town until they become more familiar with the city and its property market.

Areas and suburbs in Cape Town

The Cape Town city centre is relatively small, and there are several neighbourhoods nestled in the midst of Table Mountain, Lion's Head and Signal Hill in the City Bowl. Residential communities flank the mountain on either side, stretching up along the coast and down along the mountain into surrounding suburbs and family-friendly developments.

Young professionals looking to live close to their places of work will enjoy living in the City Bowl, a group of neighbourhoods near the city centre. Some of the most popular areas in the City Bowl that are easier on the wallet include Vredehoek and Gardens. 

Many expats moving to Cape Town often settle in the suburbs. The Southern Suburbs like Rosebank and Observatory are perfect for families, with their freestanding homes, selection of good schools, and plenty of green spaces. The Northern suburb areas such as Durbanville and Bellville are also wonderful family-friendly areas. 

For more on the city's neighbourhoods, read Best (and worst) Neighbourhoods in Cape Town.

Types of rental accommodation in Cape Town

Both furnished and unfurnished accommodation are available in Cape Town. If you're looking to rent long-term, you may want to rent unfurnished and bring your own furnishings, while those in the city for a shorter period may prefer furnished accommodation. Some new expats initially choose to rent serviced accommodation, which comes fully furnished and ready to go, with TV, broadband, and security already set up. 

Most frequently found in the suburbs, freestanding houses are spacious private homes with gardens. Many South African houses come complete with a 'braai' (outdoor barbecue) area. While freestanding houses are more expensive than apartments, they're a great choice for families, animal owners, or simply those who enjoy their space.

Commonly referred to as 'flats', apartment blocks can be found all over the city, though they are most common in the city centre and surrounding areas. Styles range from small and simple to modern and replete with facilities. 

A garden cottage or 'granny flat' is a small home located on the property of another, larger house. A single person usually occupies it. These compact, self-contained dwellings are often 'bachelor style', with one main room acting as a kitchen, living room, and bedroom.

Security complexes, also called gated communities, are access-controlled housing developments typically comprised of a mix of accommodation types, such as townhouses, freestanding houses, and apartment blocks. This type of accommodation is naturally popular with security-conscious expats. Other benefits include access to in-complex facilities such as a communal pool, braai area, or park.

Loadshedding in Cape Town

'Loadshedding' is a term used by South Africa's national electricity provider, Eskom, to refer to rotational or rolling blackouts. When the demand for electricity outstrips supply, most of the country is scheduled for several two- or four-hour daily blackouts to reduce the load. The City of Cape Town uses the Steenbras Dam pumped-storage scheme to shield its customers from one or two stages of loadshedding. However, some properties are supplied directly by Eskom, in which case loadshedding will follow the national stages.

Loadshedding is something to consider when looking for accommodation in Cape Town. Some apartment blocks and residential complexes in Cape Town have backup generators. Additionally, properties on the same block as a hospital are typically not subject to loadshedding.

Read Accommodation in South Africa for more detailed information on loadshedding.

Useful links

• City of Cape Town Loadshedding Information
• EskomSePush (ESP)

Finding rental accommodation in Cape Town

You can find many real estate agents in Cape Town that provide services for renters and buyers. In South Africa, property owners bear the burden of paying agents to find tenants or owners for their properties. Real estate agencies are great resources for finding out what kind of accommodation is available on the market.

Otherwise, you can check property websites and online classifieds. Once you find a place that you like, you can contact the advertiser to arrange for a viewing. Expats should note that properties go quickly in Cape Town, so it is best to work swiftly.

House-hunting in Cape Town can be cutthroat, especially during high season. Prospective tenants should have all their paperwork prepared beforehand and be ready to pounce on a place if it suits their requirements.

Expats are advised to ensure their new home has appropriate security measures installed such as burglar bars, alarm monitoring and armed response. Complexes and larger apartment blocks will have their front-desk security, but smaller units will only have security if provided by the body corporate.

Safety in South Africa

Useful links

• Property24
• Private Property

The rental process in Cape Town

Making an application

Once you have found your ideal home, you will need to put in an application. This usually consists of an application form, proof of identity, proof of income and employment, and references. Some landlords or real estate agencies may conduct a credit check, for which expats may need a guarantor. 

Leases, costs, and fees

Prospective tenants must pay the first month's rent upfront and one or two months of rent as a security deposit before moving in. If the property is in good condition at the end of the lease, the deposit will be returned. Any damages beyond normal wear and tear incurred during the lease will be deducted from the deposit. 

Before moving in, you should inspect the home for any pre-existing damage and alert the landlord of any issues.

Contracts are typically signed for 12 months and are renewable. Some leases have stricter conditions than others and may contain stipulations about smoking, pets, noise hours and gatherings in the home. You should ensure you understand the lease agreement and any such clauses before signing.

Read Accommodation in South Africa for more on national rental processes. 

Utilities in Cape Town

Utilities are rarely included in rental prices and are usually an additional expense for the tenant.

Electricity

Eskom and the City of Cape Town supply electricity in Cape Town, with the local government continuously working to diversify its electricity supplies. Electricity in Cape Town can either be prepaid or postpaid, with prepaid being the most common option currently. 

Most landlords will keep the electricity account in their name if the system is postpaid and will typically send tenants a monthly electricity bill. Those who have prepaid electricity can simply use the number on the meter card to buy electricity units using their banking app or at a supermarket. 

Gas

Gas usage in Cape Town is typically in the form of liquified petroleum gas (LPG). Gas stoves and heaters are the most common way gas is used in the city. You can easily refill your gas canister at a petrol (gas) station or hardware stores, or some companies can collect your gas canister from your home and refill it. 

Water

Much of the drinking water in Cape Town comes from collected rainwater. The City of Cape Town is responsible for treating and supplying the drinking water in the city. 

Similarly to postpaid electricity, the water account will likely remain in your landlord's name, and they will share the monthly bill with you. Your local municipality will likely estimate your water usage, but you can send your meter readings to your landlord to avoid being overcharged. 

Cape Town experienced a severe water crisis between 2015 and 2020, and the risk of drought remains high across the city. Employing water-saving measures is essential while living in the city, and it can also help reduce your water bill. 

Bins and recycling

The City of Cape Town's Waste Services Department oversees solid waste management in the city. The Waste Services Department provides wheelie bins to freestanding homes and apartment complexes. Waste collection takes place weekly, and we recommend finding out the specific schedule in your neighbourhood from your landlord or estate agent. 

Those who live in baboon-affected areas can apply for a lockable baboon-proof bin at no extra cost. Recycling is a growing field in South Africa. Informal waste pickers play a large role in recycling waste. If you would like to contribute, you can separate your recyclables from your general waste and leave them outside on your waste collection day for the informal waste pickers. 

Internet

The internet infrastructure in Cape Town is generally excellent, with fibre optic connections being popular. Wireless broadband and ADSL are also popular. 

You can easily set up a connection by contacting your chosen internet service provider (ISP) with your proof of address and identity, like a national ID or passport. They will then send out technicians to install and set up the hardware. This may take a few weeks, so starting the process as soon as possible is best. 

Keeping in Touch in South Africa 

Useful links

• City of Cape Town – Residential Utility Services
• Afrox and TotalEnergies
• City of Cape Town – Residential Waste Collection Services