12 Dos & Don’ts of House Hunting

Following up to last week’s Dos and Don’ts of House Hunting, check out the final part of the things to look out for, questions to ask and most importantly, how to decide if it’s the right house for you to move into or not.

1. Design – How well is the house interior design?  Does the front door open to the inside or outside?  Where does it lead?  A hallway, living room, kitchen?  Is the bathroom exposed such that you have to pass by the sitting room when coming from the shower?  Does the toilet face the living area?  Is the only balcony in the master bedroom, living room or kitchen?

2. Schools – Are there any good schools close by?  Or are you okay having the kids wake in the dead of night to go to school and come back after dark because you don’t want them to change schools?

3. Nyumba Kumi – How close knit are the tenants?  Do they meet up?  Do they have a Whatsapp Group?  Do they even say Hi when they bump on each other in the stairway?

4. Neighbourhood – How safe is the neghbourhood?  Is it safe to walk in the dark, are robberies predominant, can kids walk around without fear of being kidnapped?

5. Terms & Conditions – Will the rent increase after a while?  Will you get your deposits back?  What happens when rent is late?  Who caters for the cost of repairs?

6. Bathroom – Are the WC and shower room(s) separate or attached?  Privacy is important especially if you’re married, have kids and a live-in nanny.

7. Walls & Floors: The flooring and walls got to give a sense of calmness and serenity in its simplicity.  Say No to Kikuyu Gothic architecture.

8. The Boss - Who runs the houses and collects the rent?  Are they managed by agency or the owner?  If you get the owner, the better.

9. Kibandaski – A shop outside the gates is a necessity for nighttime and early morning kitchen, bedroom and Mpesa emergences.

10. Thy Neighbour – What kind of a person is the renter residing above and beside you?

11. Power – Do they have tokens or postpaid meters?  Are there backup generators?

12. Wi-Fi – Is the Wi-Fi already installed, and what other networks are available?