Rentals shoot up

taking advantage of that.
The majority of the working class in Harare does not own houses and has to yield to the demands of the property owners.

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Landlords have also started demanding interest for late payments while others demand collection fees.
A tenant in Hillside, Harare, said the landlord had a tendency to increase rent whenever he wanted to cover his budget deficit.
The tenant said his rent was increased from US$450 to US$500 last year on the pretext that some people were offering more to convert it into offices.

Those who convert residential properties into offices usually pay more.
Another tenant in Braeside showed The Herald a letter from a landlord who was demanding over US$1 200 in interest accrued on rent arrears.
“How can a landlord demand interest that is equivalent to the rental? That is daylight robbery and should not be tolerated,” said the tenant who refused to be identified.

What is interesting is that there is no percentage increase as the rent is just reviewed upwards.
Other tenants, particularly small businesses in the city centre, attributed rent increases to a surge in demand for office and retail space.

Most houses and flats on the periphery of the CBD have been converted into offices.
However, according to city by-laws it is unlawful to convert any residential property into a business premise as this also contributes to high rentals.
Council officials are failing to crackdown on property owners who are violating city by-laws.