The Government has gazetted major changes to Zimbabwe’s rental laws. If you are building, buying or letting property, you need to know the new rules for recently built homes.
The changes were published on 31 July 2026 as Statutory Instrument 131 of 2026. The instrument amends the Rent Regulations, 2007 (Statutory Instrument 32 of 2007). The aim is to attract more investment into new rental housing.
What Is Changing: 25 Years, No Rent Control
Under the new regulations:
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Newly built rental dwellings are exempt from rent control for 25 years.
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Landlords who build new homes after the rules took effect can set whatever rent they choose. Government will not cap those prices.
The goal is to give developers certainty over future rental income. That certainty makes large housing projects easier to finance.
It is important to note what this does not mean. Government will not interfere with how much a landlord charges on a newly built property. But oversight has not been removed. All new rental dwellings must still be registered with the Rent Board. After the 25 years are up, the Rent Board can step in to set a fair rent if there is a dispute.
What Stays The Same
Existing homes are not affected. The old rent control rules under the 2007 Regulations still apply to older properties. Tenants in those properties keep their current protections.
Registration also stays compulsory. Even with pricing freedom, landlords must register new rentals with the Rent Board.
Currency Rules Have Also Changed
The amendments replace the old currency provision. Landlords can now quote or ask for payment in whatever currency is legally accepted at the time.
This lines rental agreements up with Zimbabwe’s multi-currency framework. That framework has run since 2009 and now includes the gold-backed Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), introduced in April 2024. The key limit is simple. A landlord cannot demand rent in a foreign currency unless that currency is legally recognised at the time.
Why This Matters For The Market
For developers and investors. The 25-year exemption removes a risk that has held back new rental developments for years. With market-based pricing guaranteed, institutional investors, REITs and private developers have more reason to build. This comes as Harare City Council pushes for mass rental housing over stand allocations in its Draft Master Plan 2025-2045.
For landlords. A newly built property becomes a premium product. You can price to recover building costs faster. But you still have to budget for compliance. That means registering with the Rent Board and meeting your obligations to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).
Get the tax position right. ZIMRA’s Presumptive Rental Income Tax took effect on 1 January 2026 under Finance Act No. 7 of 2025. It charges 15 percent of gross rent, with no deductions allowed, and it applies to commercial rental income. That is rent from a tenant who uses the space to run a business or trade. Residential rental income is taxed under the normal income tax rules, not the presumptive tax. Landlords who mix the two up either overpay or fall out of compliance.
For tenants and buyers. If you are renting a newly built home, expect market-driven rents with no statutory cap for 25 years. If you are in an older home, your protections under existing rent control remain.
International Context: Learning From Other Markets
Zimbabwe’s approach follows policies used elsewhere to boost housing supply:
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United Kingdom. Build-to-rent developments sit outside traditional rent controls. Scotland went further in 2026, formally exempting build-to-rent and mid-market rent property from its rent control rules. The aim is to pull long-term capital into new housing.
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South Africa. The Rental Housing Act allows market-related rentals. Regulation focuses on dispute resolution through Rental Housing Tribunals rather than price caps.
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Kenya. Affordable housing projects under public-private partnerships get tax incentives and pricing flexibility for a set period, to encourage private delivery.
The common thread is the same in all these markets. Deregulate pricing for new stock. Regulate process and dispute resolution. Supply follows.
In A Nutshell
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If you are a developer: register all new rental dwellings with the Rent Board before letting. Build your financial models around 25 years of market pricing.
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If you are a landlord: stay compliant with both the Rent Board and your ZIMRA obligations. Estate agents are now statutory tax agents and must check tax status before releasing funds.
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If you are a tenant: ask whether the property is newly built and therefore exempt. If you are in an older home, your rights under the 2007 Regulations still stand.
Sources And References
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The Herald. “Sweeping Changes To Rent Regulations Gazetted” (Statutory Instrument 131 of 2026). www.herald.co.zw. Accessed August 2026.
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iHarare. “Zimbabwe Deregulates Rents For New Housing Developments To Boost Property Investment.” www.iharare.com. Accessed August 2026.
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NewsDay. Comment on the extension of the exemption from 10 to 25 years, and building by-laws under review. www.newsday.co.zw. Accessed August 2026.
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Veritas. Rent Regulations, 2007 (Statutory Instrument 32 of 2007). www.veritaszim.net. Accessed August 2026.
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ZIMRA. Public Notice 08 of 2026, Presumptive Rental Income Tax under Finance Act No. 7 of 2025. www.zimra.co.zw. Accessed August 2026.
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Scottish Statutory Instruments. The Private Housing Rent Control (Exempt Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (2026 No. 158). www.legislation.gov.uk. Accessed August 2026.
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Business Daily. Harare Master Plan shift to mass rental housing. Accessed August 2026.
