As we begin 2026, many Zambian property owners are asking the same question: “What should I put in place before I sell or rent out?” A little preparation now can make the difference between months of frustration and a smooth, successful transaction.
1. Start with your documentation
Before you think about photos or advertising, make sure your paperwork is in order.
- Title or Offer Letter: Confirm you have a valid Certificate of Title or, in the case of new developments, official documentation that clearly shows ownership and plot details.
- Identification and company documents: Keep NRCs or passports ready, and for company‑owned property, ensure your PACRA records and tax details are up to date.
- Supporting records: Gather any ground rent receipts, utility statements, occupation licences, building approvals or sectional title / common leasehold documents where applicable.
Properties with clear, complete documentation remain the ones that sell or lease fastest in the current market because buyers, banks and serious tenants can move more confidently and quickly.
2. Understand the new Kwacha‑only settlement rules for 2026
From 26 December 2025, the Bank of Zambia Currency Directives, 2025, came into effect, reinforcing that all domestic transactions must be settled in Zambian Kwacha. A “domestic transaction” includes any payment between persons resident in Zambia for a transaction occurring within Zambia, which covers most local property sales and rentals.
What this means in practice for property:
- You may still quote rentals or sale prices in US dollars in your adverts or agreements, but when it comes to actual payment between Zambian residents, settlement must be in Kwacha, converted at the market exchange rate.
- If a lease or sale agreement is written in USD, the money that changes hands locally must now be the Kwacha equivalent, typically using an agreed market or Bank of Zambia reference rate.
- Non‑compliance with the directives carries legal and financial consequences, so landlords and sellers should ensure their documentation and payment instructions follow the new rules.
For sellers and landlords, this introduces exchange‑rate risk and planning considerations: you may need to think carefully about when you convert or how you set your Kwacha figures to protect your expected value while staying compliant. Working with a professional agency helps you structure your adverts, offers and lease terms correctly under the new framework.
3. Make your property truly “market‑ready”
Once paperwork and pricing logic are sorted, focus on the condition and presentation of your property.
- Repairs and maintenance: Attend to visible defects such as leaking roofs, broken fittings, peeling paint, blocked drains or damaged doors and windows; buyers and tenants in Lusaka are increasingly sensitive to condition.
- Basic upgrades: Small, cost‑effective improvements—good lighting, neat landscaping, secure locks and clean common areas—often improve perceived value far more than their cost.
- Cleanliness and access: Ensure the property is clean, easily accessible and that keys, remote controls and gate access are organised for viewings.
This is especially important in a competitive market: when several similar properties are available, the one that is clean, well‑maintained and easy to view will nearly always move first.
4. Choose the right mandate and a licensed agent
In 2026, working with a properly licensed estate agency is not just a preference—it is your first line of protection.
- Licensed vs unlicensed: Only agents registered with the Zambia Institute of Estate Agents (ZIEA) are legally authorised to practise, and they are subject to a code of conduct and disciplinary procedures.
- No viewing fees: Licensed agents earn through agreed commission, not “viewing fees” or cash registration charges; those are red flags often linked to illegal operators.
- Sole mandate advantages: A well‑structured sole mandate often means better marketing, clearer communication and more focused buyer/tenant screening, rather than multiple agents working at cross‑purposes.
Property Partners Zambia works within this regulatory framework to protect both owners and clients, and can guide you on the most appropriate mandate structure for your property.
5. Streamline communication and protect your data
Good communication is essential if you want fast, serious responses from the market—and it also ties into new data protection requirements.
Zambia’s Data Protection Act requires organisations that control or process personal data to register with the Data Protection Commission as data controllers or processors, and to handle personal information lawfully and securely. Property Partners Zambia has already begun the registration process as a Data Controller so that we can meet these obligations when dealing with your personal and property information.
To help us streamline communication and comply with data protection rules:
- Please enquire directly from the specific property listing page on our website, or use the forms on our Contacts page to reach us.
- By filling in your details through these channels, you give us clear permission to interact with you regarding that property or related services, which supports both regulatory compliance and professional record‑keeping.
- It also ensures your enquiry is correctly routed, logged and followed up by the right person, reducing delays and miscommunication.
This approach benefits you as well: your information is captured in a structured, secure way and we can respond with specific, relevant information rather than general messages.
6. How Property Partners can support you in 2026
Putting all of this together—documentation, compliance with the new Kwacha settlement rules, realistic pricing, property preparation, licensed representation and proper data handling—can feel like a lot to manage alone. Our role at Property Partners Zambia is to walk with you through each step, from initial guidance and pricing advice to marketing, viewings, negotiation and closing.
If you are considering selling or renting out your property in 2026, we invite you to:
- Visit our website, navigate to the listing that interests you and submit an enquiry from that page; or
- Use the Contacts page to send us your details and questions.
By doing so, you help us keep communication streamlined and compliant, and you give us permission to reach out with tailored advice for your specific property needs this year.
