Tenants now expect value for their money when shopping for apartments

Investors in the real estate sector are being forced to dig dipper in their pockets to upgrade classic rental flats to meet the high qualities which are being sought by middle class tenants. PHOTO | FILE 

In Summary

• Previously, many people only cared about the availability  and cost of a house to let but today they consider not only cost and location but also the mode of construction and services being offered.
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• These days’ clients are personally shopping for the house unlike before where they would have just gone to an agent and just ask for any house.

By ERIC WAINAINA
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Investors in the real estate sector are being forced to dig dipper in their pockets to upgrade classic rental flats to meet the high qualities which are being sought by middle class tenants.

Previously, many people only cared about the availability  and cost of a house to let but today they consider not only cost and location but also the mode of construction and services being offered.

Mr John Mwaniki, the director of Jekmas services, a real estate management company with interest in Nairobi and Kiambu said clients are so considerate of many things offered in rental house unlike before, pushing the investors to change their game.

“These days especially in the sectors that have continued developing, the rent rates are high and the clients are looking what something which will offer value for their money. This includes well constructed houses with ample space, privacy and natural light only other unique services,” Mr Mwaniki said.

Investors who had put up their houses in the past have been forced to renovate in order to remain relevant in the now competitive sector.

Mr Charles Gathongo, who has just finsihed construction of rental flats in the fast growing Kiamumbi area in Kiambu concurred with Mr Mwaniki.

GREEDY LANDLORDS

“I find that some investors are just greedy. They want to put up a units but do not consider things like do not have natural lighting and parking. In most cases tenants have shunned them yet the investors have channelled millions of money in the project,” said Mr Gathongo.

For instance, in the five storey building he has put up on a one acre piece of land, it has 31 units only even though he had an opportunity to put up over 50 units.

A large per cent of the space has been reserved for parking while each floor features natural lighting and meeting spaces. At the roof top, is an area designed to host meetings and parties.

 “There are houses where even during the day tenants are forced to put the lights on because of the darkness. Others there is no flow of air and eventually, you find the environment stuffy,” he said.

Mr Gathongo who is the director of Geosorv System, a land surveying firm said his plan for the construction was informed by his wish to live in a well constructed house and also as a way to deal with competition.

Before owning a home, Mr Gathongo said he lived in a poorly construed flat at Zimmerman.

“I personally want to live in a well constructed house whether it’s my own house or a rental and that is why I have vowed to give my tenants such services because they are working hard to meet the monthly rent,” he added.

The flat has 31 units with two one bedroom units and 29 master and suit two bedrooms with separate dressing rooms and 3-D window.

Its rooms including the kitchen have sufficient space, a private balcony that is enough to hold small meetings and family gatherings, wall to wall wardrobes, CCTV cameras installation, internet connection, DSTV, a bio-digester as the sewerage management system, stone perimeter wall and 24 hour surveillance. 

NO AGENTS

But what lead to investors having poorly designed rental flats?

Mr Gathogo said most investors are ignorant and mean that they do not want to pay for services from professionals while others are in a hurry to put up a house to start collecting the rent.

“You must involve an architect and a structural engineer throughout the project. Many of us want to live the projects at the hands masons who only know about handling stone and mortar to cut the cost while others are in harry that they put up a five story in just one year,” he said.

Mr Christopher Ngamau who runs a real estate agent in Kiambu said flats are coming up every day and through the demand remains high, it s important for the investors to be more unique to have an easy ride in the business which is considered to be lucrative.

“Unless you want to waste time and money marketing the house, you have no choice but to put flat with will offer value to the tenant. These days’ clients are personally shopping for the house unlike before where they would have just gone to an agent and just ask for any house at certain location and of certain rates,” Mr Ngamau said.