Comparison between High-rise Bedsitter, One, 2 and 3 Bedroomed flats.

Comparison between High-rise Bedsitter, One, 2 and 3 Bedroomed flats.

Many developers are at times torn for choice between whether to construct bedsitters, one,two or three bed roomed units for rent.

Assuming the average construction cost for Highrise buildings in Kenya for a building without any fancy finishes to be at Kes 28,000 per m2, we can calculate this as below. These are the types of buildings seen in most Nairobi surburbs such as Ongata Rongai, Kasarani, Umoja and Kikuyu town.

Bedsitter.
Rent. Kes 4,000 Per month.
Construction cost per unit.Kes 600,000.
Repayment period. 12 years.

1 bedroomed.
Rent. Kes 5,500 Per month.
Construction cost per unit.Kes 800,000.
Repayment period. 12 years.

2 bedroomed.
Rent. Kes 8,500 Per month.
Construction cost per unit.Kes 1,200,000.
Repayment period. 12 years.

3 bedroomed.
Rent. Kes 13,500 Per month.
Construction cost per unit.Kes 2,100,000.
Repayment period. 12 years.

Cost of Land.
The repayment period is for the construction cost only without the cost of land which varies greatly from area to area.

Rent amount.
The rents assumed are the lowest possible rents that can be charged around Nairobi suburbs such as Umoja, Kahawa, Kasarani,Kikuyu, Waithaka, Kiserian, Rongai, Kitengela,Ruai and Thika.
For developers who would like to increase their repayment period, the rent can be increased. The repayment period will reduce in the same ratio that the rent increases.

Size of Units.
The size of units have been taken as the least possible for each . The unit size increases depending on the income class of the people that the developer is targeting as tenants.

Low Rents.
For example, if the developer is constructing at Ongata Rongai 2 km or more from the tarmac, the purchasing power of the tenants will be low so he will in turn reduce the size of the units to make them affordable.

High Rents.
For example, If the developer is constructing at Ongata Rongai next to tarmac or in Kileleshwa for example, the purchasing power of the would be tenants is high so the rents charged will be high too. The developer will then ensure that the rooms are more spacious and the finishes are more classy so as to ensure he can reap the highest rents possible.

Francis Gichuhi Kamau,Architect.
info@a4architect.com