Live your best life
Rent to Own
Imagine being able to turn your monthly rental payments into an investment towards owning your own home. With the rent-to-own program, you have the opportunity to make that dream a reality. Start building towards your future and become a homeowner through our program.
Affordable
Our monthly rentals empower you to live the life you deserve, without compromising on quality. We offer affordable options for all income levels and our smart approach ensures that you get the best value for your money.
Leasing Rights
If you ever get evicted or find yourself in a situation where you need to end your lease, you do have the option to sell your leasing rights. This can help you recover the monthly rental payments you have already made and ease any financial burden you may be experiencing.
Beautiful Homes
Discover the ultimate in home design, expertly crafted by the collaboration of real estate agents and architects over a long period of time. Our homes are a testament to the perfect balance of beauty, comfort, and convenience, providing an exceptional living experience you won't find anywhere else.
Best locations
We make expensive locations affordable by building homes that optimize land usage. With Homeslea, you can finally live your dream in your desired location.
Flexible
Our primary objective is to help you become a homeowner. We offer flexible terms and conditions to assist you during uncertain times.
How it works
You Order | We Build | You Rent | You Own
Get Started
Select or Click a home that fits within your monthly budget to access the Order form.
Complete the Order Form
The Order form is your first massive step to realising your dream of becoming a homeowner. Fill in all the required information and Submit.
Upload Supporting Documents
Upload your supporting documents through your personalised portal. After the assessment of your order, you’ll receive an email with a secure link to access your portal.
Approval/Qualify
The approval process for our rent-to-own homes involves several key steps. Upon receiving your orders, we sort them into groups based on your desired locations and gated communities to be developed. We then calculate the project cost, acquire the necessary land, and obtain the required permits. Once these steps are completed, we send you an approval letter along with an offer letter. After all members of your group and gated community location have signed and returned the offer letter, we begin construction of your rent-to-own homes. The construction phase typically takes 6 to 12 months, after which you can move into your new home. It’s important to note that rental payments only begin on the day you receive the keys to your new home.
Move into your new home
After Completion of the project and your home you’ll Receive your Lease agreement. Once you sign all the necessary agreements and pay the first rental (+ security deposit) you’ll get your keys from the Property Manager to move into your new home. No hidden costs. Enjoy your new home while paying your monthly rentals diligently.
Rent to own Program
Join the Program: The payment period is 12 years, but you have the option to pay off the remaining balance of the lease period at any time to gain ownership sooner. This provides flexibility, and in the event of eviction or voluntary termination of the lease for any reason, you can sell your leasing rights. Please note that terms and conditions apply.
Own your Home
Once you have fulfilled all the requirements and obligations of the Rent to Own program agreements, the ownership of the leased home will be transferred to your name. This legal transfer of property title will result in you becoming the complete owner of your home, making it your permanent residence.
Homeslea Homes
Live your best life
We strive to construct your homes in the most attractive areas that elevate your standard of living. These areas provide effortless access to all the amenities and opportunities that make life rewarding, including the CBD, transportation links, reputable schools, healthcare facilities, and shopping centres.
Select your Home and Order
Your order must fit within your budget and your monthly income must exceed the minimum requirement.
The Essential
- One Bedroom
- Open Plan: lounge/Kitchen
- 1 Bathroom: Shower/Toilet
- Garden
- Single Storey
- Monthly Rental: From US$600
- Min. Monthly Income US$800
- Joint Monthly Income: US$400
The Ultimate
- Two Bedrooms
- lounge/Dining/Kitchen
- 2 Bathrooms: Shower/Toilet
- Garden
- Double Storey/Duplex
- Monthly Rental: From US$800
- Min. Monthly Income US$1000
- Joint Monthly Income US$500
The Standard
- Three Bedrooms
- Open Plan: lounge/Kitchen
- 2 Bathrooms: Shower/Toilet
- Garden
- Double Storey/Duplex
- Monthly Rental: From US$800
- Min. Monthly Income US$1000
- Joint Monthly Income US500
- One Large Room
- Kitchenette
- Shower/Toilet
- Laundry Area
- Space for 1 Bed, Sitting area
- Monthly Rental: From US$90
- Min. Monthly Income US$120
- Two Large Rooms
- Kitchenette
- Shower/Toilet
- Laundry Area
- Space for 3 beds, sitting area
- Min. Monthly Rental US$180
- Min. Monthly Income US$250
- One Large Room
- Kitchenette
- Shower/Toilet
- Laundry Area
- Space for 1 Bed, Sitting area
- Monthly Rental: From US$150
- Min. Monthly Income US$200
- Two Large Rooms
- Kitchenette
- Shower/Toilet
- Laundry Area
- Space for 3 beds, sitting area
- Min. Monthly Rental US$300
- Min. Monthly Income US$400
The High Rise
- 1 Bed/ 2 Bed/ 3 Bed
- Open Plan: lounge/Kitchen
- Bathrooms: Shower/Tub/Toilet
- Balcony
- High Rise
- Monthly
- Income
frequently Asked Questions
All you need to know about homeslea rent to own
General
The rent-to-own program is a unique opportunity for people to become homeowners by paying monthly rentals and adhering to the program’s terms and conditions. First, customers can select their desired homes on our website. We then construct their homes and rent them out under certain terms and conditions that enable us to repay our stakeholders who invest their time, money, expertise and labour into the program. This well-planned program offers many benefits to tenants, including the ability to sell leasing rights, access credit facilities, and home ownership.
- Firstly you pay the Service fee of $US100/$US50 upon Approval of your order.
- Security Deposit
- Monthly Rentals for the full Lease period.
- Community levies, insurance and applicable taxes
- Transfer fees on completion of lease period(to transfer the property into your name)i.e. Conveyancing fees and Stamp duty.
The period is long enough to ensure the monthly rentals you pay are affordable. The shorter the lease period the higher the monthly rentals. A shorter duration will mean a higher monthly rental: for example, the Essential Garden Flat home may require approximately 3600usd per month for a two-year period rather than 600usd per month for 12 years.
The payment period is 12 years, but you have the option to pay off the remaining balance of the lease period at any time to gain ownership sooner. This provides flexibility, and in the event of eviction or voluntary termination of the lease for any reason, you can sell your leasing rights. Please note that terms and conditions apply.
As long as you have adhered to the terms and conditions of your Lease Agreement and the Rent to Own Program you will own your rent-to-own home
Note: You need to join the Rent to Own program in order to be eligible for home ownership and other lease benefits.
Yes the Service Charge
Service Charge is the amount you pay upon approval of your order and when you are allocated a home in a development project. This amount is US$100 for the Garden Flats and High Rise. And $50 for the Studios. You only pay this amount if your order has been approved. Completed homes will be allocated to Waiting List Registrants only, on a first come first served basis excluding the Investors’ quota.
This Service Fee does not go towards your monthly rental or rent to own program rewards, as it helps to cover the transaction costs we incur on documentation and account maintenance before you pay your first monthly rental to move into your new home.
The service charge is extremely important to the process of providing you with your new home because it allows us to allocate dedicated staff and resources to the program. Alternatively, it shows your commitment to the program, which is a big motivator for funders. Because we don’t know how much the preparations will cost until your home is ready for your occupation, we have initially set the amount at US$100/US$50.
This Service Fee also has a cooling-off period of 5 days in case you change your mind. Once this period is up, Homeslea gets to work on your behalf. If, after 18 months you have not moved into your new rent to own home, we give you the Service Fee back.
Note: We require that our customers seek independent legal advice on the arrangements prior to Registration. This is to ensure that our customers are very clear on the Homeslea Rent to Own arrangements and have had the benefit of an external set of eyes. We will provide more information on this once you’re further through the process. Customers can use their preferred legal practitioner or Homeslea can provide you with contact details for lawyers who are familiar with the Homeslea Rent to Own program. Depending on the adviser you choose, you should expect to pay adviser costs.
Subletting is not permitted unless Authorised by the Homeslea Property Manager. The sub-lessee has to be qualified under our terms and conditions.
Put simply, we make money from a part of monthly rental payments and Service Fees.
Having said that, this is not all profit by any means. We have various costs, including development, property management and other transaction costs. We also have a range of operating expenses, including building the business model and technology that supports our seamless home ownership experience.
The money we make allows us to keep doing what we do, which is turning more renters into homeowners.
Our own to rent program is totally different from a mortgage.
A mortgage loan is how most upper-income professionals buy their homes. However, they require hefty deposits, establishment costs and approvals from third parties (banks, appraisers/valuers etc.). Most people are excluded from mortgages because of the stringent conditions and income level requirements. Defaults are dealt with decisively almost all defaulters lose the property and every penny paid towards the mortgage.
Our program is a rental program that rewards tenants who have adhered to the terms and conditions of the Rent to Own Program with home ownership, As long as you have a valid lease agreement you will get approved. we have a flexible default policy and Homeownership for our customers is our main goal.
Homeslea has laid down procedures for this exact scenario.
Our goal is to ensure that all our customers end up as homeowners, but we understand that sometimes circumstances change. Once a customer fails to pay, we’ll follow a clearly laid out path. In short, we give the customer a grace period, and an option to sell leasing rights to capable aspiring tenants before eviction.
More details on this situation is provided in the Rent to Own Program agreement.
Again the Rent to Own program has laid down procedures for this scenario.
Our goal is to ensure that all our customers end up as homeowners, but we understand that sometimes mistakes can happen.
More info in Rent to own Agreement.
In your set monthly rentals, we have already budgeted prudently for the cost of land that is suitable for your rent-to-own home.
We acquire land only after receiving sufficient orders from potential tenants. This method helps us make informed decisions about land acquisition while minimizing the risk of constructing properties that remain unoccupied for long periods of time.
This approach makes our business an attractive investment opportunity for those who fund the construction of rent-to-own homes, as they are guaranteed a return on their investment. The rent-to-own model eliminates the problem of investors being hesitant to invest in completed buildings that may have difficulty finding tenants. The shortage of accommodation in urban areas is mainly due to a lack of funding from investors who are uncertain about the uptake of completed buildings.
As experienced professionals with significant expertise in the real estate industry, we would like to assure you that there is an abundance of prime land available for the rent-to-own program. In cases where vacant land is not available, we have the ability to purchase existing buildings, demolish them, and construct rent-to-own homes.
From start-to finish, the moving in can take as long as twenty four months provided we have received the required number of approved orders for a particular neighborhood/location. The number of approved orders per location (NAOL) is the foremost milestone before the development of your home. We do not build areas with low demand.
Development of multi-family homes is a complicated process, we have to comply with all applicable bylaws before we build in order to avoid future difficulties for tenants and/or owners, and this can also be time-consuming.
Yes the waiting time can be long, but the most important thing is…As long as you can afford to pay monthly rentals you have a big chance of owning a home! We know how difficult it is to save money to buy your own home while spending lots of money on rent every month. Why not wait for a Homeslea-built home that you can move in without a deposit, live in, while paying rent and own it at the end of the leasing period?
A rent-to-own home has more benefits than other rental homes and mortgages.
Application
Where we build the rental Homes is determined by the number of approved orders and/or waiting list registrants. Homeslea currently accepts orders from all Zimbabweans local and Diaspora and is ready to build in any high customer demand area across Zimbabwe especially areas close to the CBD.
On our Order form there’s a field for preferred location, where members can fill in the location of their choice. The number of approved orders per location (NAOL) determines where we build.
This is how you own your home through Homeslea
- Making an Order: Customers join our waiting list by clicking the “Order Your Home” button and filling out the Home Order form on the selected home page. e.g. Essential Home page.
- Approval: If the submitted information matches our requirements for the particular home applied for, the Applicant will receive an Approval letter (including a service fee invoice) from our Administration Manager. The approval process for our rent-to-own homes involves several key steps. Upon receiving your orders, we sort them into groups based on your desired locations and gated communities to be developed. We then calculate the project cost, acquire the necessary land, and obtain the required permits. Once these steps are completed, we send you an approval letter along with an offer letter. After all members of your group and gated community location have signed and returned the offer letter, we begin construction of your rent-to-own homes. The construction phase typically takes 6 to 12 months, after which you can move into your new home. It’s important to note that rental payments only begin on the day you receive the keys to your new home.
- Pay Service Fee: Once the Service fee is paid, the prospective tenant will be allocated a home in the upcoming project. The service fee is payable online, Bank deposit, bank transfer or at our offices. The service fee is for Account Administration purposes.
- Allocation letter and Homeslea Lease Pack: Before Construction, Qualified applicants receive allocation letters and lease packs that include details on the location, physical address, monthly rental, levies, Homeowners Association draft agreement and Draft Lease agreement etc.
- Lease Agreement, First Rental and Move-In: After completion of homes customers sign lease agreements, pay a security deposit plus first rental and receive Home keys from the Property Manager to move into their new homes.
- Joining the Rent to Own Program: Tenants with valid Homeslea lease agreements join the program
- Lease Period: Homeslea Tenants pay their monthly rentals diligently for 12 years whilst adhering to lease agreement terms and conditions.
- Homeslea Transfer Pack: On the expiry of the lease period Renting Owners receive a gratuity certificate and Homeslea Transfer Pack that includes all the necessary documents to effect the transfer of ownership into their own names, provided they have adhered to the terms and conditions of the Rent to Own Program.
Simply click the “Order Your Home” button on your selected home.
We review each order individually, but there are a few requirements our team looks for when approving applications and determining approval. Here are the things you’ll need to qualify for our Homeownership program.
- 3 months of verifiable income: We look for 3 months of steady income. You’re able to add multiple income sources including self-employment. Just know that self-employed income can take a little longer to verify.
- At least 2 referees if you are over 30 years of age.
- Background check: from your rental referees we run a background check to determine your rental history and criminal background. For criminal background checks, we evaluate the recency and severity of any convictions
- Identification number and current physical address
- Service Charge
Homeslea needs to verify your income in order to ascertain if you qualify for the program. We ask that you provide documentation showing your income for at least the last 3 months and a current front-page copy of the lease agreement.
Normal Employment
Last payslip from the previous job
Most recent payslip from current job
Self Employed
3 most recent months of bank statements
Proof of Business Ownership. This can be a document from Tax Authorities, a recent tax return, or any official document that shows both your name and the name of your registered business
or An interview at our offices
Independent Contractor
Most recent Receipt book or invoice with a year to date (must be within 30 days)We will also accept 3 months of most recent Receipt/invoices or bank statements
To qualify for the program, we require all applicants to go through our screening process. We do this to make sure our customers will have the best experience with our program and successfully own their homes!
When approving orders for the Homeslea Rent to Own Program, our main focus is ensuring our customers can afford their monthly payments. We never want to put someone in a home they can’t afford, or in a situation that could hurt them financially. Here are a few reasons why you might have been declined and some advice to qualify:
- Your current income is too low to cover the monthly rental: We need to review your last 3 months, or more, of income. We advise applicants to jointly apply with a spouse, friend or partner to raise the rental paying power.
- Your preferred location is too expensive for your rental power/income: There is a required minimum monthly budget in each for different locations. The low density is more expensive than the high density. Our advice is to re-order for the same home in a cheaper different location.
- If you have a poor rental history: We advise you spend a little more time renting as a good tenant to gain a favorable rental profile before you re-apply.
- Your background check didn’t meet our requirements: To be fully approved you need to pass a background check. We do look at these on a case-by-case basis and also offer an appeal process if you disagree with our decision, or are able to provide more context. To submit an appeal, reply to our team including:
- A reference from current landlord
- A reference from their current employer
- Any documentation detailing details of the conviction
- Anything else that could help inform our decision, like details on the nature and severity of the crime or rehabilitation and reintegration to society since the conviction
- You may have entered your name or National identification number incorrectly.
- If you’re declined, your order will automatically be reset after 30 days. If your financial situation changes, we absolutely encourage you to re-apply!
Ordering a rent-to-own home is free
Sometimes we do require that customers provide us with their credit report if necessary. Most of the time Information listed above is enough.
Your Home
Currently we are offering the Studio homes and Garden Flat Homes:
- The Studio Homes: We have the Studio 1 (Self Contained Large Room/Kitchen/inside toilet & shower) and Studio 2 homes(Self contained 2 large rooms/kitchen/inside toilet & shower), Studio 1 plus; the upgraded studio one, Studio 2 plus; the upgraded studio 2
- The Garden Flat Homes: We have the Essential(One bed garden flat ),the Standard(3 bed garden flat) and the Ultimate( 2 bed garden flat)
- High Rise homes: These are Multi floor Apartment homes. We have the Essential(One bed apartment ),the Standard(3 bed apartment) and the Ultimate( 2 bed apartment) , The studio (one room) and the Studio 2(2 room)
These homes are built using the strongest materials from reputable suppliers by expert builders.
No you cannot change the plan of your home, Our building plans have been expertly designed over a long period of time to ensure the homes are affordable.
All our homes are in gated communities that have perimeter walls & fences, secure entry and exit points. Security guards are the Responsibility of Renting Owners through payment of levies.
LEASING PERIOD
It’s pretty simple – once you get your keys and move in, you get to start acting like a homeowner! You may join the Rent to Own Program, make your monthly payments, maintain your home, keep it in good shape, live in harmony with other members of your community, observe the rules and regulations of the Handbook, leasing agreement and Rent to Own Program
The rest is up to you. Otherwise, you can sit back and get on with your life. No more dealing with stubborn landlords or moving after every few months or years.
Subletting is not permited unless Authorised by the Homeslea Property Manager.
We review each sublessee application individually, but there are a few requirements our team looks for when approving sublessees and determining if they are eligible. The Sublease Agreement must be approved by the Property manager.
You are a Homeslea tenant and we want you to act and feel like a homeowner. Hang paintings, paint interior walls, even chart your kids’ growth in the doorframe! But you can not renovate or paint the exterior without approval from the Property manager.
The Tenant is responsible for all repairs and maintenance during the lease period. The quality of repairs must be inspected and approved by the property manager before and after completion.
Unfortunately, it’s not our call. its up to other members of your community and the Home Owners Association committee.
Ownership & Lease Agreement
As a member of the Rent to Own Program, you are free to own during the lease period by paying the remainder of the lease period rentals, terms and conditions apply.
We’ll need about two weeks’ notice to get things in order at our end. But the earlier you let us know, the more we can help you with this process.
Unfortunately, the monthly rentals are preset jointly with our funders so they cannot be changed.
The period can be shortened and members may be allowed to pay for the remainder of the lease period. terms and conditions apply.
We have policies and processes in place to deal with this exact situation. In short, our goal will be to help the customer realise value from the program by assigning their leasing rights to anyone hassle free. However, we’ll only be able to facilitate this where the incoming ‘assignee’ passes our checks, so they’ll need to be someone who could have otherwise qualified for our program. We will charge an admin fee for facilitating such a transaction.
More detail on this situation is provided once you sign up and get approved for our program.
Yes, through a special tripartite (Homeslea, Employer, Employee) lease agreement whereby the employee joins the program. However if the employee fails to complete the program by either dismissal or resignation the employer will be entitled to transfer or assign the leasing rights to another employee subject to Homeslea’s approval. This arrangement is only possible if the employer is paying the full monthly rentals.
Tenants can opt out of the agreement anytime. No costs nor legal suits. So, if your circumstances change during your time on our program (e.g. you get a job offer in in a far away place), you always have the option to leave. You will forfeit your leasing rights but can seek to sell your leasing rights subject to the Program’s terms and conditions.
However, we’re well aware that our customers will be putting their hard-earned money towards Home Ownership. In situations like this, the last thing we want is to be the cause of you giving up such a great opportunity.
Homeslea will seek to facilitate an assignment/sale of the customer’s option, subject to a strict ‘assignee’ qualification process and an admin fee.
More detail on this situation is provided once you sign up and get approved.