Landlord Guide: How to List Property on Makazi

If you own rental property in Tanzania, Kenya, or Uganda, listing it on Makazi gives you access to thousands of verified tenants actively searching for their next home. Unlike traditional dalali networks where you lose visibility and control, Makazi puts you in direct contact with quality tenants — with tools to manage inquiries, screen applicants, and fill vacancies faster.

This guide walks you through every step of creating a listing that attracts the right tenants at the right price.

Why List on Makazi?

Before we dive into the how, here is why Makazi is the smart choice for landlords:

• Direct tenant access — no middleman taking commissions or misrepresenting your property
• Verified tenants — reach serious renters, not time-wasters
• Smart pricing tools — see comparable listings in your area to price competitively
• Professional presentation — our listing format showcases your property beautifully
• Messaging system — communicate with potential tenants directly through the platform
• Analytics — see how many people view your listing and contact you
• East Africa coverage — reach tenants across Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda

Step 1: Create Your Landlord Account

1. 1Visit makazi.io/signup and create an account
2. 2Select "Landlord" as your role during onboarding
3. 3Complete your profile with:

- Full name (as it appears on your ID)

- Phone number (verified via OTP)

- Profile photo (builds trust with tenants)

- Brief description about yourself or your properties

Get Verified

Verification builds trust and dramatically increases tenant inquiries. To get verified:

• Upload a clear photo of your national ID (NIDA) or passport
• Our team reviews and approves within 24–48 hours
• A verified badge appears on your profile and all your listings

Step 2: Prepare Your Property Information

Before creating a listing, gather the following:

Essential Information

• Property type: Apartment, house, studio/bedsitter, room
• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Location: City, neighborhood, and specific address
• Monthly rent: In local currency (TZS, KES, or UGX)
• Available date: When the tenant can move in
• Deposit amount: How many months upfront

Amenities and Features

Check all that apply:

• Furnished or unfurnished
• Parking (how many cars)
• Water tank and pump
• Generator or solar backup
• Security (guard, CCTV, perimeter wall)
• Air conditioning or ceiling fans
• Internet/WiFi included
• Swimming pool
• Balcony or terrace
• Garden or yard
• Pets allowed

Property Rules

• Lease minimum duration
• Payment frequency (monthly, quarterly, annual)
• Business use allowed?
• Guest policies
• Noise restrictions

Step 3: Take Great Photos

Photos are the single most important factor in attracting tenant inquiries. Properties with 5 or more quality photos get 3x more inquiries than those with 1–2 photos.

Photo Checklist

• [ ] Exterior/facade of the building
• [ ] Living room (from multiple angles)
• [ ] Each bedroom
• [ ] Kitchen
• [ ] Each bathroom
• [ ] Balcony or terrace (if applicable)
• [ ] Parking area
• [ ] View from the property
• [ ] Any special features (garden, pool, rooftop)
• [ ] Street view / neighborhood context

Photo Tips

1. 4Use natural light — open all curtains and blinds, shoot during daytime
2. 5Clean and declutter — remove personal items, make beds, clean surfaces
3. 6Use landscape orientation — horizontal photos show more of the room
4. 7Stand in corners — shooting from a corner captures the most space
5. 8Show the floor — this helps tenants gauge room size
6. 9Be honest — do not use wide-angle tricks that make rooms look larger than they are

Makazi's AI photo quality scoring will help you identify which photos work best and suggest improvements.

Step 4: Write a Compelling Listing Description

Your description should answer every question a potential tenant might have. Use this structure:

Title (Keep It Clear)

Good: "2 Bedroom Apartment in Mikocheni — Modern, Furnished, 24/7 Water"

Bad: "Nice apartment for rent!!!"

Description Template

[Property type] for rent in [neighborhood], [city].

This [furnished/unfurnished] [property type] features [key highlights].

Property details:

• [Number] bedrooms, [number] bathrooms
• [Floor] floor of [total floors]-story building
• [Area in sqm] square meters
• [Parking details]

Amenities:

• [List key amenities]

Location benefits:

• [Proximity to landmarks, transport, schools, hospitals]

Terms:

• Monthly rent: [amount] TZS
• Deposit: [amount or months]
• Minimum lease: [duration]
• Available from: [date]

Writing Tips

• Be specific and honest — tenants appreciate transparency
• Include Swahili keywords naturally (nyumba ya kupanga, fleti, chumba)
• Mention nearby landmarks (schools, hospitals, shopping centers)
• Highlight what makes your property unique
• State what is included (water, security, parking) and what is not

Step 5: Set the Right Price

Pricing your property correctly is critical. Too high and it sits vacant; too low and you leave money on the table.

Research the Market

• Browse Makazi listings in your neighborhood to see comparable rents
• Filter by similar property type, bedrooms, and amenities
• Note the range and price your property competitively

Pricing Factors

• Location — same apartment costs 2x more in Masaki than in Sinza
• Condition — newly renovated units command 15–20% premium
• Furnishing — furnished units rent for 30–50% more
• Floor — upper floors with views get 5–10% premium
• Amenities — security, water reliability, parking each add value
• Market conditions — January and June typically have more vacancies

Common Pricing Mistakes

1. 10Pricing based on what you "need" rather than market rate
2. 11Not adjusting for vacancies — a vacant property earning 0 is worse than a slightly lower rent
3. 12Ignoring seasonal patterns
4. 13Not offering competitive deposit terms

Step 6: Manage Inquiries Effectively

Once your listing is live, you will start receiving tenant inquiries. Here is how to handle them:

Response Time Matters

Landlords who respond within 2 hours get 4x more successful tenancies than those who take days. Makazi shows your response rate on your profile — keep it high.

Screening Tenants

Ask potential tenants:

• What do they do for work?
• How long do they plan to stay?
• How many people will live in the property?
• Can they provide references from previous landlords?
• Are they willing to sign a written lease?

Schedule Viewings

• Group multiple viewings on the same day for efficiency
• Be present or have a trusted representative show the property
• Prepare the property — clean, well-lit, good first impression

Step 7: Close the Deal

When you find the right tenant:

1. 14Agree on terms — rent, deposit, move-in date, payment schedule
2. 15Draft a written lease — use Makazi's resources or a standard Tanzanian lease template
3. 16Collect deposit and first month's rent — via M-Pesa or bank transfer for a clear paper trail
4. 17Conduct a move-in inspection — document the property condition together
5. 18Hand over keys — welcome your new tenant

Boost Your Listing for Maximum Visibility

Makazi offers boost options to increase your listing's visibility:

• Featured placement in search results
• Priority positioning on the homepage
• Highlighted listing card in the browse view

Boosted listings get significantly more views and inquiries — ideal when you need to fill a vacancy quickly.

Get Started Today

Ready to list your property? Create your landlord account on Makazi and publish your first listing in minutes. Join thousands of landlords across East Africa who are finding quality tenants faster with Makazi.

List Your Property →