With Hatfield filling up, student accommodation is moving further north of the city.
Pretoria Areas for Rental- A Popular Student Market
Pretoria North, Pretoria East and Centurion are experiencing high demand for rental accommodation. The suburb of Moot is proving popular with the student market, Pretoria East is popular with the foreign corporate and trade mission sectors and Centurion is seen as a viable and affordable link between the Pretoria CBD and Johannesburg.
“Because of this shortage, students are increasingly starting to rent further away from the university, typically in some of the quiet, established Moot suburbs to the north,” Marais says, noting that old houses which have been converted into student communes are still in demand. “The Moot suburbs are also popular among young families and professionals who are looking for affordable accommodation in proximity to all amenities.”
Benefits of Living in Moot, Pretoria
“The rental market in Pretoria tends to benefit from the high number of embassies and trade missions in the area, which are always in need of quality accommodation for staff members,” says Retha Schutte, regional executive: Pam Golding Properties Pretoria and Centurion.
Hatfield- Benefits for Investors
But it is in Hatfield and the surrounding suburbs where investors continue to benefit. This is according to Charl Marais, principal: Harcourts Rentalsdotcom Highpoint, who says that demand is outstripping supply in Hatfield because of its proximity to the University of Pretoria and, more recently, the Gautrain station.
Accommodation Options in Moot, Pretoria
Sectional title units rent for R3,000–R7,000/month, offering one to three bedrooms, while average family homes offering three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living areas and a double garage go for R9,000–R11,000 month.
Business and Private Rentals
Marais says that rental yields have performed between 8% and 9,5% over the past five years, thanks to stock shortages and the many amenities in the area, including A Re Yeng, Tshwane’s new bus rapid service.
To the south of the city, in Centurion, investors are making a meal of the rental demand, according to Steve van Wyk, principal: Seeff Centurion. “Virtually all of Centurion is very popular,” he says, noting that estates are popular for both corporate and private rentals. “Price is across the board, from R3,000–R55,000/month, while there are stock shortages in every price category.”
Centurion’s highway and Gautrain access to Johannesburg and Pretoria, as well as its schools and shopping centres, have ensured consistent demand, with rental yields achieved ranging from 5% to 9%.
Words: David A Steynberg
Images: iStock
