Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
The Government has gazetted the Rent (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (No. 2), introducing sweeping changes aimed at stimulating investment in Zimbabwe’s rental housing sector by deregulating rents for new developments and allowing landlords to charge rent in any legally acceptable currency.
The amendments, published in Statutory Instrument 131 of 2026 in the Government Gazette Extraordinary of July 31, amend the Rent Regulations of 2007.
Under the new regulations, all newly constructed rental dwellings must be registered with the Rent Board, but the rentals charged for those properties will not be subject to rent control for 25 years.
The regulations also replace the previous provision governing the currency in which rent may be charged, allowing landlords to “quote or demand payment in legally acceptable currency prevailing at that time”.
The changes reflect Zimbabwe’s evolving multi-currency framework after three decades of currency transitions that have seen the country move from the Zimbabwe dollar to a multi-currency system in 2009, the re-introduction of the Zimbabwe dollar in 2019, the adoption of the ZiG currency in April 2024 and the continued use of multiple legally recognised currencies.
By allowing rent to be charged in any legally acceptable currency, the amendments provide flexibility for landlords and tenants while aligning rental agreements with the country’s prevailing monetary framework.
The 25-year exemption from rent controls is also expected to encourage investment in new rental accommodation by allowing developers greater certainty over future rental income, while maintaining Rent Board oversight through mandatory registration.
The reforms come as the Government seeks to stimulate housing delivery amid growing demand for accommodation in urban centres.
They also complement broader efforts to formalise the property sector.
