Rental demand in Lusaka remains resilient, with furnished and unfurnished stock moving in established suburbs like Roma, Woodlands, Ibex Hill, Lilayi, and Kabulonga due to proximity to schools, malls, and secure estates. Listings show two- to three-bedroom apartments and townhouses transacting actively, with furnished units in central locations commanding premiums due to convenience for professionals and expatriates.

Examples from active listings in Q3–Q4 2025 indicate monthly asks such as ZMW 24,000 for a furnished two-bedroom in Ibex Hill, ZMW 18,000 for a three-bedroom in Woodlands, and ZMW 15,000–17,000 for three- and two-bedroom homes in Lilayi and Foxdale, respectively, reflecting amenity levels and location. Premium family houses and modern gated estate units in Leopards Hill and Kabulonga also feature prominently, supported by security, contemporary finishes, and estate management standards.

For landlords, aligning with tenant preferences means offering reliable utilities, backup power, and internet readiness alongside secure parking and responsive maintenance to reduce vacancy and justify higher rents in competitive nodes. For tenants, shortlisting properties with transparent management and clear lease terms helps navigate price variation between furnished and unfurnished offerings while balancing commute times and neighborhood amenities.

Investors evaluating rental yields should calibrate assumptions against financing conditions, noting the policy rate at 14.5% and average bank lending around 29% in early 2025, which raises carry costs and places a premium on occupancy and rent collection efficiency. In this environment, well-priced, well-located units with strong tenant appeal can still achieve stable occupancy, especially near schools, embassies, and corporate clusters.