Basically, three types of persons/families move to Cairo. Those that are transferred with major companies (like oil and gas), individuals on contracts (like teachers), and students.
Excepting students, all will have an allowance for accommodation and most companies will have some form of housing assistance. These housing assistants will know your allowance so don't be surprised when they arrange a real estate agent, they also will know. And don't be surprised if some under the table agreement has been made between agent and companies housing people.
Also beware, the agent usually will not have your interests at heart, but his wallet! The landlord pays his commission - usually one months rent for a 1 year contract. You will be asked to provide one month damage deposit payable to the landlord. Getting this deposit back is another story.
There seems no shortage of accommodation on the markets in all expatriate favorite areas as Maadi, Helipolis, or Katameya (new Cairo). But finding one you like, can take time and effort to be escorted around looking at those on offer. This assumes your company provided temporary accommodation i.e. hotels or apartment hotels like the Residence Hotel in Maadi. I've heard of a few short term furnished places which could suffice until you find your place. Check with agents, especially see my recommendation below.
There are many agents available with majors being Coldwell Banker, Edar, Century 21, and hundreds of independent agents. But try and get a recommendation from one of your colleagues and following is my recommendation for reasons given.
Finding your dream place is one issue, but after contract signing service by agent is critical so I recommend Mrs Nahed Shook owner of Expat Real Estate Services, Mobile 010 572 6969, email nahed@expatrealestate.net, website link, located in Maadi. I know her personally, and can vouch she looks after her tenants extremely well. If you need a bar, shelves, cabinets, or any custom wood working, I would be very remiss not to mention my great wife, Nasha, who does all this. Email me for her cell number.
Egypt Property Renting and some Bewares
-Be sure the place has a working telephone - you will most likely want to get ADSL and need a land line to connect. But also check the number at place is acceptable and you can do this at TEDATA website.
-Check air conditioners as you will be stuck with them. Also check they work on cool and heat - this is not crucial but sure is a plus in winter time. If moving from cooler climate you may will not be that familiar with AC's, so in broad brush strokes avoid wall units if at all possible and opt for split units. Also check the electrical isolation switch is a breaker type not the old fuse type, unless you are an electrician with all the tools. A good reminder is landlords are notorious for giving promises to fix things or add items you desire but you will most likely struggle to see them after you sign contract.
-Check all bathrooms to be sure hot water is available, pressure is OK (turn on showers) and toilet flushes.
-Check place has city gas and does not use bottled gas. Wife will not be happy to be in middle of roast and bottle runs our of gas, and has to arrange delivery and hook-up, and they are too heavy and dangerous for my way of thinking.
-Make sure the place has off street parking and you have an allocated slot or 2. Family does not want to have to cruise streets finding a parking place.
-Also open the electrical breaker box and see if it looks reasonably neat and find our where the meter is. Also be aware there is no electrical grounding in Egypt. Seriously think about installing an earth leakage fault detector in your main breaker box. I only know of one electrician that knows what this is and how to install so email me for his number.
- Also check if there are any emergency lights. - most likely not unless an expat rented before you and left them installed. But you should have them and they are available as standalone units or wall mounted. I have both.
-Thinking you would like a pent house. Think twice because Egyptians do not understand preventive maintenance so elevator will likely only be fixed when broken. You will get either stuck in elevator or need to trudge up many floors. I would suggest to people 3rd floor is about the maximum you want to go( that is 4 floors up as ground floor is floor zero).
-Security is a important issue. Suggest after you move in have the door locks changed. You can see Hussein on Road 9 Maadi located beside the Mermaid restaurant (He has a ironing shop here as well). And if you lock yourself out he can gain entry for you as I can confirm as happened to me. He will provide you his cell number if you ask.
-When things break down, don't really expect landlord to fix in any timely fashion or even at all. You can get if fixed and take off rent but be ready for long heated discussion. Egyptian landlords like western renters as they kind of expect the place will be left better than the way they found it all to benefit of landlord.
Here is a persons first hand experience and all was not good. See this link
General Information
You will be expected to pay electric, telephone,water, bowab (guy comes with building as guard, car washer, gofer etc.) and building utilities monthly. So make sure you start from square one as of date you rental agreement starts. Nahed does this but if using other agent, make sure they do this.
Choosing an area - this is really personal, but Maadi/Digla is very popular and Cairo American School is located in Digla, and British School is located near by in Zahara, French school in Maadi.
If you want a stand alone villa with fresher air, swimming pool and company can pay upwards of $5000 to $7000 per month for you - chose Katameya Heights with golf course, club house, basic shopping etc. Beware of crazy ring road highway you have to take to Maadi or Heliopolis as in new Cairo Area not many services as restaurants, stores etc. But many new schools are located in this area now. Worth mentioning is Canadian International School Egypt, Namer Americal School, Chouefeit. Heliopolis is an area I do not know but do know of families that choose Maadi to live and suffer the drive each day to their office in Heliopolis.
Hope some of this helps - email for any more ideas to help
No comments:
Post a Comment