For many Kampala residents, renting is more than an option; it’s a way of life. Research has it that a significant portion of the city’s population resides in rental homes, which calls for a clear understanding of how renting works.
Whether you’re renting for the first time or moving to a new place, the process can be tricky. To make your stay safer and less stressful, here are some common mistakes to avoid.
#1. Compensating Security Month Fee
It’s now clearer than ever that many landlords will hesitate to return the security deposit when tenants are moving out. If this sounds like your landlord, be sure to communicate early when planning to relocate. Whenever you can, ask them to inspect the house before you start packing.
If possible, avoid paying rent for the new house too early. In case your landlord shows signs of not refunding the security fee, you can live in the current house for an extra month to compensate for it.
The security fee is the extra one-month rent tenants pay on top of a 3 or 6-month payment, making it 4 or 7 months in total. It’s intended to cover damages such as broken wardrobe doors, window panes, and similar issues stemming from careless use. If you leave the house without causing serious damage, you’re entitled to that extra month, since during your stay, it’s never counted as rent.
#2. Never Rent a House or Buy Near a Military Barracks
In a country where the head of state moves with armed soldiers and armoured vehicles, staying close to a military barracks should never cross your mind. YKWM!
Reading between the lines, in the event of a forced power transition, no surprise for most African countries, or a national threat, areas near barracks are likely to be targeted or locked down first. You don’t want to be caught in that hotspot.
#3. Choose a Safe House in a Safer Neighbourhood
Renting near shops, hospitals, or markets may sound convenient, but being too close can increase the risk of theft and reduce your privacy. It’s also believed that renting in neighbourhoods where youth gather without a clear purpose can pose security risks.
It’s advisable to rent a house at least 6 to 12 plots away from a trading centre, even a point with just three retail shops. This creates some distance between you and the daily foot traffic.
Keeping some distance saves you from becoming too familiar with neighbours or shopkeepers. Remember, in most Ugandan towns, it can take a year or more to know who’s good or bad, and who you can really trust. Still, that doesn’t mean turning your back on communal living and values like respect, greetings, and helping those in need. This is Africa!
A reasonable distance from shops helps you maintain the freedom to buy from any business that meets your standards. Getting too friendly with shopkeepers can create pressure when one expects your loyalty simply because you often share long conversations. Choosing to buy elsewhere might be taken personally. To avoid that kind of pressure and possible resentment, keep some distance and make your choices based on quality, not familiarity.
#4. Avoid Renting Near Churches or Football Fields
Being close to a church or football pitch may seem convenient, just a 5-minute walk to a Sunday service or evening hangout. But on event days, it’s a different story.
Church overnights on loudspeakers can be something…, while thieves can take advantage of the loud sound to break in. The same goes for football matches, whether during the day or at night; large crowds increase the risk of petty theft or home break-ins. Oh, bars!
#5. Think Twice Before Renting Along the Main Road
Renting close to a main road may seem ideal for accessibility, but it can be a disaster if the road isn’t well-made. Dust will find its way into your house, and constant noise from moving cars and concert drives can become unbearable, especially on days when you’re unwell.
If you choose to live further from the main road, be sure your rental is still accessible and has only one or two entry points. Areas with too many access routes are more prone to theft and make it easier for wrongdoers to escape. Limited and well-defined entry points improve both convenience and security.
#6. Don’t Befriend Your Landlord
Social media has it that before you rent a house, be sure the landlord has another source of income, but here’s an even more important tip: don’t befriend your landlord. Be respectful, greet when your paths cross, but keep a healthy distance. Why?
Too much familiarity can blur boundaries. It affects your privacy, invites disrespect, and makes it harder to communicate, especially when there’s a delay in rent payment. While you should always pay rent on time for your own peace of mind, it’s just as important to keep your relationship with the landlord professional.
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