10 Most In-Demand Features Ghanaian Tenants Look Out For In A Home

Renting a home in Ghana has, over the past few years, been the top search query for home hunters in Accra because of the rising housing deficit in the country. The deficit, which is about 2 million housing units, is largely because of the growing population and the government's failure in the implementation of housing policies. 

Many Ghanaians are now forced to rent rather than own, considering how housing has become so expensive. However, renters in Ghana look out for some specific home features that they consider crucial in rental housing. By now, if you’re thinking of moving, chances are you’ve already thought about all of the things you’d want your home to have to make sure it works for you.

Prophunt wanted to find out what matters most to tenants when searching for their next home. So we asked more than 100 home searchers to find out which features led to the highest number of inquiries to estate agents. We found out the following in-demand features Ghanaian renters look out for in a home.

Top 10 Most In-Demand Features For Renters In Ghana

1. Constant supply of water

It’s probably no surprise that home hunters in Accra are looking for different things, and this is no more apparent than the fact that a constant supply of water made it into the top 10 most in-demand features. In a city where water shortages are a common occurrence, it’s clear that home renters are willing to pay more for properties that have a reliable source of water. To some tenants in Accra, it doesn't matter if you have all the modern amenities in a home; it will all be considered useless if you can't get a tenant a constant water supply.

2. A place for parking

After water, renters in Accra look out for a parking space. Lately, parking has been a major worry for commuters in Accra because of the high traffic of vehicles in the city. So, offering on-site parking will not only provide convenience; it can be a security concern as well. 

In Accra, 70% of people spend an average of 30 minutes searching for a place to park daily. This is the most common reason home renters say parking is an in-demand feature when looking for a space to move. Landlords are therefore advised to improve their properties and attract more tenants by considering adding on-site parking.

3. Space for storage

Landlords in Ghana need to understand that it is not just bedrooms that tenants want but also spaces for storage. We say this because storage space is one of the home features that runs through most tenants' requests when looking for their next home. Renters in Ghana want to make sure there is space to store their stuff, and homes without storage space can become a challenge for tenants.

4. Affordability and value

For some tenants in Accra, affordability and value are the most in-demand features influencing their decision to move. Rising rents have therefore prompted some tenants to search for more affordable properties, with Prophunt receiving more rent requests below asking rent from landlords over the past year. It is a fact that rents have escalated tremendously, and the people who can't afford them are looking for alternative housing.

5. The Location of the Property

The most common keyword renters in Accra use when searching for a new home is location. Tenants always love to have first-hand information about the location of a listed home for rent in Accra. Renters in Ghana want to make sure that their home is located in a safe and convenient area and that the property is close to public transportation or other amenities. Ultimately, the decision about where to rent in Accra is a personal one. There is no right or wrong choice, but the most important thing is to find a home that meets your needs and budget.

6. Safety and Security

Included in the list of in-demand features home renters look out for in Accra are safety and security. Renters mentioned they always search for a crime-free area where they can live safely and peacefully. Being safe and secure is something of utmost importance for the tenants in Accra. This in-demand feature might seem like a simple one, but it's very powerful and can influence the decision of a potential tenant at any point in time. 

No wonder neighbourhoods with high crime rates receive fewer rent requests compared to low-crime areas. Rental investors are advised to make sure they do their research regarding the crime statistics in particular neighbourhoods. This way, you will be able to attract good tenants at all times.

7. Renters want convenience

When it comes to apartments in Accra, the feature that renters want most is furnished homes, and this keyword has outranked every other keyword in that regard. Apartment renters are looking for homes to rent that provide all that a home should have, so they don't have to go through the very significant cost of acquiring those home appliances. At the end of the day, what renters want to have is a furnished home, which means they don't have to pay for furniture.

8. Quality of the Neighborhood

Renters in Accra indicated that the quality of a neighbourhood paints a crystal clear picture of what the neighbourhood is all about. So by the end of the day, all that a tenant in Accra is looking for is a place that feels like home. So property investors are encouraged to make sure that the neighbourhood in which their rental property is located is good in all aspects.

9. The age of the property

Most of the tenants said they would like to move to a new property instead of an old home. The old homes for rent in Accra tend to have less demand in the market. Old buildings have structural and appliance defects, so no renter wants to make their life a mess by living in an old home in Accra. The old homes in Ghana are like scarecrows for tenants, as they would not like to face bad plumbing and electrical systems. 

10. Glazing windows

People are constantly showing their appetite for glazing windows in Ghana. This is due to the many benefits that glazing windows can provide, such as increased security, energy efficiency, and improved aesthetics. That’s why renters in Accra add glazed widows to their wishlist when looking for a new home. Glazing windows can help deter burglars by making it more difficult for them to break into a home. The glass in a glazed window is much stronger than the glass in a non-glazed window, and it is more difficult to break through.