Renting an apartment in Dakar: rents, deposit and Senegalese law

Renting an apartment in Dakar requires checking the legal framework, the guarantees requested and the condition of the property before signing. The capital holds 99.1% of the country's apartments in multi-unit buildings and 78.1% of multi-storey houses. Rents are the highest in Senegal: an ANSD 2021 survey estimates the average monthly outlay for tenants at 64 502 FCFA in the Dakar department. Decree No. 2023-382 of 24 February 2023 now caps the deposit, rent payment terms and agency fees for residential leases not exceeding 500 000 FCFA a month.

The Dakar rental market in figures

The ANSD's 2024 annual economic and social report shows that 37.8% of urban households in Senegal are tenants, against 2% in rural areas. In Dakar, renting therefore concerns a massive share of the working population.

On the supply side, the capital dominates: it holds 99.1% of the country's apartments in multi-unit buildings and 78.1% of multi-storey houses. This concentration explains why the search for an apartment to rent is played out almost exclusively in Dakar and its suburbs.

Housing costs weigh heavily on household budgets. According to the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa (CAHF), based on data from the ANSD's 2021 Harmonised Household Living Standards Survey (EHCVM), the average monthly rent for tenant households stands at 64 502 FCFA in the Dakar department, compared with 53 000 FCFA nationally. This is an average figure; newer or well-connected apartments often exceed it.

What Senegalese law says

Residential leases in Senegal are governed by the Code of Civil and Commercial Obligations (COCC). The rules cover contract length, deposits and each party's duties.

Lease length and renewal

A residential lease must be signed for at least three years. Any lease signed for a shorter term is automatically reclassified as an open-ended lease. At the end of each three-year period, the lease renews tacitly for another three years unless one party serves notice in the form required by the Code.

Deposit, rent and agency fees

Decree No. 2023-382 of 24 February 2023, amending Law No. 2014-03 of 22 January 2014, sets the rules for residential leases whose monthly rent does not exceed 500 000 FCFA.

The deposit is capped at two months' rent. Only one month is payable before moving in; the second is spread over the following twelve monthly payments. Rent is payable in arrears, at the end of each month of occupancy. No rent may be demanded in advance for these leases. Agency or brokerage fees are capped at half a month's rent.

For rents above 500 000 FCFA a month, no legal cap on the deposit has been identified to date.

Inventory and receipts

Article 581 of the COCC requires both parties to draw up a contradictory inventory on entry and exit. This document is the basis for any deposit refund. Keep a receipt for every rent payment. It is your only proof in a dispute.

Termination of the lease

A landlord may terminate a lease for only two specific reasons: to move into the property or to demolish and rebuild. Selling the property does not justify eviction. No removal is lawful without a court decision. Cutting off water or changing the lock is an offence.

The tenant must give two months' notice for open-ended leases, served by bailiff's writ. For fixed-term leases, early termination is only possible in the event of a serious breach by the other party, after a 30-day formal notice remains unanswered, followed by referral to the judge in summary proceedings.

Pitfalls to avoid before signing

Do not sign a contract without seeing the title deed or a notarised mandate proving that the signatory owns the property or is duly authorised. A mere promise is not enough.

Insist on a written lease even though Senegalese law accepts verbal leases. Without a written contract you have no proof of the rent amount or the agreed term.

Do not pay any "visit fee" to a broker without a receipt. These fees are not regulated by any text. Likewise, refuse any deposit demand above the legal cap if your rent is 500 000 FCFA or less.

Check water and electricity meters are in your name from day one. Ask the landlord for a certificate of no outstanding debt to avoid paying bills left unpaid by the previous occupant. Finally, check the entry inventory with the landlord and photograph any defects. This prevents unfair deposit deductions at the end of the lease.

This answer is general and is not personal advice: before you commit, have your situation checked by a notary or a lawyer.

On Imonga

The Imonga platform features rental listings in Dakar and other cities in Senegal. Listings state the neighbourhood, floor area and asking rent. You can compare several properties and contact the owner or agency directly to arrange a viewing.

• Rental listings in Dakar
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• Listings in Saly
• Listings in Thiès
• Listings in Ziguinchor
• Listings in Saint-Louis

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum lease length in Dakar?

The COCC sets a minimum term of three years for residential leases. A lease signed for a shorter period is reclassified as open-ended.

How many months' deposit can a landlord ask for?

For monthly rents up to 500 000 FCFA, Decree No. 2023-382 caps the deposit at two months' rent. Only one month is payable on entry; the second is spread over twelve months. Above this threshold, no legal cap has been identified.

Must rent be paid in advance?

For leases covered by the 2023 decree (rent up to 500 000 FCFA), rent is payable in arrears at the end of each month of occupancy. Advance rent may no longer be demanded.

How do I get my deposit back at the end of the lease?

No legal time limit for repayment is set in Senegal. The reasonable practice is within two months after vacating. The exit inventory, drawn up jointly, is your main tool for securing a full refund.

Is a verbal lease valid in Senegal?

Yes, Senegalese law accepts verbal leases. It provides no proof of the rent amount, length or obligations, so a written contract is strongly advisable. If you need certainty on the terms, seek advice from a Senegalese notary or lawyer.

Who pays for repairs in a rented apartment?

The tenant covers routine maintenance and small repairs. Major repairs and wear and tear are the landlord's responsibility. If the landlord refuses to act, a judge may authorise the tenant to carry out the work and deduct the cost from the rent.

Rental rules differ elsewhere in West Africa.