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(Excerpts,
edited and abridged. This section has been updated.)
Housing for foreigners is
largely limited to Gulshan, Baridhara and Banani. These areas are usually
not affected by hartals (general nation-wide strikes) that plague other
areas. The supply of houses are gradually diminishing to give way to large
apartment high-rises. Apartments are cheaper and frequently offer better
value for the money. It is probably necessary to employ a real estate
agent. The real estate agent will want to know exactly what your needs
are, house or apartment, how big, what your budget is, etc.
Do get a copy of the UN
Contract of Lease. The UN Contract of Lease is favourable to tenants and
has certain diplomatic clauses.
Current Trends
Rents for a three-bedroom
house vary from Tk. 45,000 to 100,000 per month, depending on the
location, the garden, the condition of the house, what appliances or
furniture are available, and the market. An apartment would be lower
priced, would have a generator, and nice view of the city or the lakes.
Locating
a House
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Drive around the
streets in the various suburbs and inspect houses or apartments with
"To Let" signs. The guards normally have the keys and will
let you look around.
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Find out if you are
eligible for housing subsidy.
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UNWA's network is
remarkably effective and if something good is available, someone will
know about it.
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Your agency or UNWA
members may know of good real estate agents. The landlord usually pays
the real estate agent's fees.
Points
to keep in Mind
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Electrical wiring
in the house and the garden, should be adequate and safe. Decide where
the computers, telephones, printers, etc, will be and see if there are
enough outlets for all your appliances. Three-phase power is essential
if you want to be able to run ACs and other appliances simultaneously.
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Plumbing, Water
supply and pressure: a large storage tank or two on the roof, and
a ground storage tank. A pumping system, automatic ones are even
better. Make sure all the toilets flush and taps work both hot and
cold water. Check if there is a water heater for the whole house, or
if you have to supply this. Ask about the septic tank, or the sewage
system.
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Gas Connection:
gas is cheaper and more reliable than electricity, so get a gas stove
and gas water heaters.
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An existing
telephone line is a must, as getting a new one will take time and
money.
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Dampness on the
walls, peeling paintwork, mold and mildew, are common problems in
houses and apartments, and may be unavoidable. So have a good
understanding with your landlord about fixing these problems not only
before you move in, but also while you are in the house should the
problem show up again.
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Borer and woodworm
are commonly found in lintels, architraves and wood panelling.
Fumigation can be arranged, but frequently does not eliminate the
pests.
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Staff quarters:
Houses usually have more facilities for staff quarters than
apartments. If you are going to have live-in staff, this is something
to consider. The staff quarters should have: good bathroom facilities,
fans, a place to prepare and cook food with a gas line for a stove.
A private place to hang clothes, on the roof, a verandah or
garden.
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A garage for the
number of cars you will be having, and good dry entry from the garage
to the house. Or to be used for storage space.
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Built in
cupboards and closets.
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A quiet, peaceful
place: not near construction, busy street, schools, or mosques. Some
people prefer two storey houses which allow the family privacy
upstairs.
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A good landlord willing
to prepare the house for you: repaint, fix doors, screens and windows,
plumbing, etc. before you move in; before you sign the lease and make
a final payment. Most landlords want a year's rent in advance. Pay
part of it, if you wish, when signing the agreement, then make the
final payment when all the repair work is done to your satisfaction.
Getting money back is a difficult business.
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