It is an exciting experience of rent your first apartment – but it's not something you should do in the dark! We'll help you understand leasing. This is a step by step guide to renting your apartment for the very first time in Dakar.
The first step is to focus on apartments that meet your budget.
Renting an apartment on your own isn't that difficult, is it?
Start looking for loger-dakar.com, then take a tour or two of the apartment, then get comfortable. Now suppose that once you move in, you realize that you are unhappy with your choice. After I had du Sombi at every meal, lights off, you realize you can't afford to pay for the new home you just rented!
What went wrong?
You had a budget. You were a bit over the mark, maybe because of those gorgeous glass windows that first caught your eye, and made you offer the apartment to you somehow .
In truth you made the mistake of looking for apartments that were out of your budget… Every location following this “dream apartment” will become a distant memory. Get ready for the coming year filled with Sombi!
Before you start looking for a new apartment, make a plan and stick to it.
C’est la règle empirique : si votre budget n’est pas en mesure de payer le loyer, ne cherchez pas à louer un apartment at least for the time being.
What can you spend?
Here is an easy way to find out:
Keep track of your monthly earnings (this is the net amount you earn, the amount you earn after tax and other expenses).
Take the cost of your living expenses from the above amount (debts or car payments or your child's school fees or gym membership, etc.)
Include unexpected costs, for example, new tires on your vehicle or seeing a doctor for the flu. The best way to do this is to add 10-15 % to the cost of your services. For example, if your current invoices correspond to the equivalent of 400,000 CFA francs, you can add an additional 80,000 CFA francs.
Plan what you will pay for utility bills and groceries (how much you will need to pay for lighting and food in the refrigerator). The most common norm for tenants living in apartments is 100,000 CFA francs to cover utilities, which is 7 % of your annual earnings. Food usually costs around 150,000 CFA per month for a single person.
Think about what you'd like to spend on “extras” like meals with friends, a social gathering, family movie tickets, and other things you're used to paying for.
The rest is what you need to plan for your rent. If you're not sure it's enough, take a review of areas you could reduce, but be honest with yourself. Do you really want to sacrifice the day with your family?
The second step is as follows : If you wish, consider co-signing with a third party.
What is the co-signer?
A co-signer is someone who accepts your lease in the event that you are unable to pay your rent on time, the co-signer will be liable for this debt to the landlord. They don't live with you. They just bear your obligation. Co-signing for debt is a huge obligation, so make sure you're ready with all the details and numbers (your full budget from above as an example) every time you meet someone and ask them to sign. Typically, this will need a family member or close friend who can serve as a co-signer.
Third step: Should you take a roommate or not? This is the problem.
Si, après avoir regardé les prix de location à Dakar et regardé votre budget, vous constatez que vous ne serez pas capable de payer seul le loyer, alors voudrez peut-être penser à un colocataire. D’autre part, avoir un partenaire avec qui partager les coûts peut alléger le coût de la location et rendre la vie plus facile. Cependant, vivre avec une autre personne pourrait poser un certain nombre de problèmes, surtout lorsque vous n’êtes pas fan de son comportement et de son mode de vie.
If you choose to have a roommate, your landlord may want you both to sign a lease. It will most likely verify your credentials. Remember that the landlord could increase the rent due to the additional "wear and tear" of the roommate to the apartment. Also, they might increase your security deposit. So be sure to find out about the landlord's rules regarding roommates to ensure there are no surprises in the future.
If you've decided roommates are the best option, now's the time to schedule interviews with your roommate! Here are some of the questions you should ask potential roommates:
- Are you a smoker?
- Have you got pets at home ?
- Do you want to own a pet?
- Do you suffer from allergies?
- What is your daily schedule?
- Are you an early riser or someone who is a night person?
- Do you think you are organized or clean?
- What is the most important thing for you to pay off your debts on time?
- Have you ever had to pay on the rent?
- Do you like to cook at home? Where to eat at the restaurant?
- What do you like to do on weekends?
- What is your policy regarding guests staying overnight?
- Are you extroverted or introverted?
- What pets do you have?
- What do you think is the most important thing in an individual roommate?
- Do you like to share things? Or do you prefer to keep things separate?
If you have decided to choose a roommate, you may need to create an agreement with the roommate. A simple agreement can ensure you're on the same page to avoid disagreements and clearly define everyone's responsibilities.
Step 4 : Tell the difference between the things you want and what you need?
As a new tenant, you will likely have many questions. Here are some tips when looking for an apartment:
What equipment do I need and will it cost me more?
With these pretty apartments for rent in Dakar, you will not be blinded by certain attractions such as a large roof terrace facing the sea. These types of equipment generally have costs. Be sure to ask for space rental fees for parties like Tabaski and special occasions like a baptism or wedding. It is possible to save money by not using these services, but these "extras" should not be taken into account when making your decision.
Don't be distracted by swirls and bells. The huge, elegant windows of a loft can also add to your cooling and heating costs. Naturally, these windows look great. But in summer and winter, these windows can hamper temperature regulation and lead to higher electricity costs especially in Senegal where electricity bills can sometimes be exorbitant.
A good granite kitchen counter?
Luxury amenities are nice to enjoy. However, they can be expensive in Dakar. If you rarely use your kitchen, and you often don't stay home, why would you spend more money on these devices?
Oui, le voilà – un apartment à Louer avec une cour ! Possibilité de faire un bon Dibi ou méchoui dans la cour, nous y voilà. Mais avant de signer le bail, assurez-vous de discuter de cette « parcelle » supplémentaire avec le propriétaire.
- Will they keep it?
- If so, are there any additional charges?
- Are you responsible for maintenance? (If so, consider the costs of a lawn mower, watering, etc.)
Où à Dakar devrais-vous chercher votre apartment à louer?
Location is crucial. Although you might be tempted to choose that cozy apartment in the suburbs because of the affordable rent, you might end up wasting a lot more time and spending on fuel especially if you have to take a long trip to school or work without taking consider traffic jams. And if you're interested in having restaurants, movie theaters, museums, and other attractions nearby, keep that in mind when researching.
What if I want a pet?
You are from abroad and want to settle in Dakar, even if you do not currently have a pet, but think you will want one in the near future, you will want to make sure that your potential rental is pet-friendly of company. Be sure to ask the realtor about pet fees, additional deposits, and pet rent.
How can I do laundry?
In newer apartment models being built in Dakar, you will likely have on-site laundry facilities or washer/dryer hookups. If there are hookups in your apartment, you can buy your own washer and dryer and take them with you when you move or just hire a housekeeper.
How can I get Wi-Fi in Dakar?
De nombreux d’appartements à louer à Dakar n’offrent pas de Wi-Fi gratuit surtout lorsqu’il s’agit d’appartements qui ne sont pas meublés, mais vous pouvez obtenir l’accès internet par l’intermédiaire de votre fournisseur comme Orange à un prix avoisinant les 30 000 F CFA.
How can I pay the rent, and what happens if I don't pay on time?
You will pay the rent on the same date each month. Although this system is not widespread in Senegal, ask your broker if the landlord allows tenants to pay online through an online rental system. Otherwise, you will have to visit the owner every month. You can pay by credit card or personal check.
If you can't pay your rent on time, be ahead and let your landlord know. Ask if they will accept partial payment or if you can negotiate payment terms. Be sure to get any arrangement in writing from the landlord, just in case there is a dispute later. But try not to be late - the landlord can send you a "notice of early termination of the rental agreement (an eviction notice) even if you are only 5 days late. If you pay within 14 days, it cancels the notice. If you are consistently late, the landlord might send you a different form that terminates your residence at the end of your contract.
Fifth step: Go to the owner for the rental of your apartment! You are ready.
Maintenant que vous avez trouvé un apartment à louer à Dakar dans votre quartier préféré disposant des équipements dont vous avez besoin, il est temps de vous asseoir avec votre agent immobilier. Vous voudrez apporter certaines choses avec vous, telles qu’un talon de paiement, une copie de votre passeport, ou carte d’identité et votre chéquier.
Did you know that a security deposit could be up to two months' rent?
Also, many landlords in Dakar charge first and last month's rent – up front. Make sure you've saved up three times your monthly rent, plus moving costs, and notary fees before you sit down with the rental agent.
You can negotiate your lease!
Be prepared – search for similar rentals in the neighborhood to see the price difference. If your schedule is flexible, try renting towards the end of the month – landlords are more likely to close a deal then. You might also have more negotiating advantages if you move during the winter, when fewer people are looking for apartments and students are on vacation, as opposed to the summer.
If you plan to stay in your apartment long-term, ask the property manager if you could sign a longer lease for a discount on the rent price. If the landlord doesn't negotiate on the rent, you might ask for other things – a freshly painted apartment, new flooring, or a better parking spot.
Read your lease. It's long, it's boring, it's full of rental jargon, but take the time to actually read it. Make sure you understand it and don't hesitate Ask questions about the lease – especially anything you don't understand or want more information on.
Une fois que vous aurez signé sur la ligne pointillée, vous obtiendrez les clés de votre nouvel appartement! Et puisque vous savez exactement quelles sont les conditions de votre contrat de location et que vous avez créé un budget qui fonctionne, vous vivrez heureux pour toujours – ou du moins jusqu’à ce qu’il soit temps de renouveler le rent contract. (Oui, ils augmenteront généralement le loyer de 3 à 5 % lorsque vous renouvellerez… mais on réserve ce sujet pour un autre article.)
