Kinshasa: the housing hunt.
Some of us, who live outside our native land, experience the need to return there. Unfortunately, circumstances do not always allow this because of certain obligations held in the adopted country.
What could be better than waking up in the morning to the cooing of birds or the crowing of the rooster? Such is the daily life of this young woman who decided to return to her roots, hoping to have a better life.
Of course, it may seem weird because we often realize the opposite project.
In a country where power, fraud, and corruption are the watchwords, the testimony of this young woman touched us so much that we could not keep it in a cupboard.
In Kinshasa, nothing is easy. You have to fight every day for everything. Nothing is free; you need to buy or at least rent something. These are the words of the country’s natives who have evolved in Western countries and sadly do not have families who own properties.
To find a place to rent (studio, flat, or house), you have to:
· find a broker (who claims to be a qualified estate agent when they are not);
· have the deposit in hand (between 3 and 10 months), as it is a first come, first served system;
· provide the equivalent of one month’s rent in advance;
· give the equivalent of one month’s rent in advance to the broker(s), the manager, and the landlord.
You are not immune to malicious people who will rip you off at any opportunity.
Also, be aware that before the viewing, you will have done a tour of the city. So, always bring enough money, especially if you do not have a car. Taxis and motorbike drivers will always charge you more than usual because you will never have the exact address, just a reference. If your driver doesn’t know the area, you will go in circles for a while.
Ladies, never go alone, or you’ll get screwed.
Take away:
· get a release signed when you deposit the rental deposit;
· Take a photo or make a copy of the landlord’s or manager’s voter’s card;
· Give the commission when you get the keys to the property;
· Make sure there is no church behind or in front of your property;
· Make sure the water is running from the tap;
· Make sure you have stable electricity.
I dedicate this text to all the people who want to return to their native country and those who are there but have no idea what is going on in the housing search. Remember that nobody and nothing will stop your dreams, especially if the Universe has approved them.
By AJIYL.
