Let’s all face it; the cost of living has been rising sharply of late. If you are on a budget, saving even Ksh. 1,000 on rent can significantly help cover other bills. 1,000 on rent would go a long way in sorting other bills. That is why most Kenyans are looking for affordable housing options anywhere they can get one. Bedsitters happen to be a popular choice for students, first-time workers, or young families. And on top of their relatively low rents, they offer the comfort and privacy most people want. In this guide, I will give you tips on how I find affordable bedsitters.
Know where to look
The first step is that you need to know where to look in the first place. Rents are dependent on the location. There are areas where you don’t expect to find low-cost housing. Areas like Kileleshwa or Kilimani will not have cheap housing options. I already did an article on areas where you can find an affordable bedsitter for under Kes 10,000 in Nairobi. You can click the link below to the article.
Start the search early
If you plan on moving next month, start finding a house today. By so doing, you avoid the last-minute rush that can make you overlook red flags in a unit. Most people who get conned are also in a hurry, and their desperation makes them an easy target. I typically recommend doing a house hunt at least 3 weeks before so that you can view multiple units and compare them.
Walk around the estates
Based on the area you want to get a house in, make sure to take a physical walk around the place. If you are not familiar with the neighborhood, you can always ask a Nduthi guy to take you around. Physically moving around helps you familiarize yourself with the area. You will be able to determine whether or not you would enjoy the place. Moreover, you will likely see “To Let” signs on vacant houses where you can call and ask. Ensure you are cautious and have all the details before making any payment to avoid getting conned.
Instead of blindly walking around, you can browse listings on our site and make viewing arrangements with our agents. This ensures you are getting legit units that are verified and pre-vetted. If time is not on your side, you could reach out below, and we can source your preferred unit.
Ask at local shops
Inquire from local shops. The majority of houses in these areas are mostly managed by caretakers or owners who frequent shops. You could buy a scratch card at a shop and ask about any vacant units they might know of. Most of these men and women are local guides and have contacts with a lot of caretakers. Even if they don’t connect you to one, they will point you in the right direction.
Look far from the road
If you are on a budget, one thing that you should be willing to do is make sacrifices. This may involve choosing a unit that is located further away from the road. Most units that are near the road are often expensive simply because they make commutes straightforward. Therefore, to get the most affordable units, map out areas that are a reasonable distance from the main road.
What to check in a bedsitter?
Transparency in rent
If you are on a budget, then I am guessing that every cent counts. Most people, however, calculate rent wrongly. The effective rent is normally the following: Base rent, water, garbage, and other bills. Always break down what you will be paying in full so that you can settle on the unit that offers excellent value for your money. A unit may appear cheaper but have hidden costs like a higher water charge or garbage collection fees.
Built-ins
One thing I have noted is that the more built-ins a place has, the less furniture you will need. During my first time renting, I moved into a unit that did not have a wardrobe. This meant that I had to buy one, which cost me 20,000. Once I moved into another unit, the wardrobe became useless, as the unit came with a built-in. I had to offload it at a huge loss. Going for units with built-in furniture will save you money in the long run.
Size of the house
I am not disputing the fact that you are on a budget. But you can’t simply go for a tiny unit because of your financial constraints. Tiny units are uneconomical, as you outgrow them quite fast. Adding just a 3-seater sofa can make the place feel cramped up. This means you will have to keep on moving, and in the process you end up wasting a lot of money on transport and deposits.
