Accommodation
Over priced, poor quality appliances,
noisy neighbours and awful landlords.
Finding good accommodation is hard. The local's eyes light up when they
see an expat approaching and the charges double, triple or more for non
Egyptians.
To help we are providing this space for both accommodation offered and
opinions from expats who have tried and tested different landlords and apartments.
Accommodation Offered click here
- Accommodation / Landlord reports click
here
General costs: (prices are for the Roushdy area, where most expats prefer to
live)
single apartments range 1500-2000 LE
2 bed apartments range 2000-3000 LE
3 bed apartments range 2500-4000 LE
Good villas are hard to come by and are very expensive (if your company is
paying go for it!) Range $800-$3000. $1000 will get you 2-3 beds, small
shared garden, sometimes even a swimming pool.
TIPS:
- Most landlords will tell you that they have rented the apartment out
before at some astronomical rent; get used to the fact that many Egyptians
are dishonest. Ignore suggestions that
the cockroach infested, 2 bed apartment in Montaza which faces the local
mosque was last rented for $1500. It only happened in his dreams.
- Look around apartments during prayer times to get an indication of what
you will hear every morning at around 4:30 to 5am.
- Ask about who lives above you. If they tell you it's a quiet
family, be prepared for long nights of noise as the little kiddies stomp
around until 3am (seriously, Egyptians don't understand children need sleep
and boys especially run wild here. Boys will be boys is the excuse for
all manner of misdemeanour)
- No a/c = no thanks. Don't believe the excuse that is doesn't get
hot enough or a fan is all you'll need; an a/c in every bedroom and the
living room is a must. Check the a/c whilst you're there for excessive
noise because most landlords don't bother to get them serviced properly.
- If there are any building restorations going on expect workmen to be
hammering away until 2-3 in morning and restarting at 7am. The
landlords suggestion that you won't notice it applies only to those in a
coma, and even then the noise is likely to bring someone out of a comatose
state.
- Deposits of one month's rent are the norm. However, don't expect
it back when you leave as the landlord will give you every excuse why you
can't have it and there are no worthwhile legal avenues. If you have
problem you can threaten the landlord with reporting him for tax evasion,
but it doesn't always work as bribes to officials usually offset this small
leverage.
- Avoid fix term contracts. Ensure your contract clearly states that
it can be cancelled if you give 30 days notice regardless of the reasons or
circumstances. You might find everything goes well for the first week
or two, but a get out clause is essential. On the other hand, the
value of a contract here is questionable. They are good for paper
aeroplanes or sticking under the coffee table to stop it wobbling, but not
much else.
- "Everything is new!" Maybe it was new when he bought it 10 years ago,
but that refrigerator with the dodgy seal that keeps food fresh for an hour
max is not new.
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