Renting a home in Guyana

Get everything in writing before you hand over money: the rent, the currency, the deposit and who pays which bills. Then check the power and water in person.

There are two rental markets

The upper market is usually priced in US$. Furnished executive homes in areas such as Bel Air, Eccles, Providence, Republic Gardens, Turkeyen and Great Diamond run about US$2,000-8,000 a month. A realtor told Stabroek News in 2024 that oil-company housing allowances can exceed US$2,500 a month, and that landlords price against them.

The local market is far cheaper. Stabroek News also said a habitable one-bedroom in the city was hard to find under G$80,000, and described a two-bedroom let for about G$120,000. Those figures are two years old and are likely higher now.

Property websites mostly show the upper market, so don't judge typical rents from listings alone. Many G$ rents also look like US$ rents converted at G$210: G$630,000 is exactly US$3,000. Ask which currency the rent is really set in.

What you'll pay up front

Expect the first month's rent plus one to two months' security deposit. That's a common pattern, not a rule. A 2025 law column reports some landlords asking for two months' security plus one month's rent, or first and last month plus one month's security. Another column describes one case of six months. Get a receipt, and agree in writing when the deposit comes back.

What to check before you sign

• Generator. Blackouts were frequent in mid-2026, often 7-9pm in parts of Region 4, with weak lines in Eccles, Garden of Eden and Region 3. Ask if there's a backup generator, what it runs and who pays for the fuel.
• Pressurized water. Ask if there's a pressurized system and a water tank. We found no current figures for hours of supply, so ask the neighbours how the water behaves. Iron in well water is a live complaint, so ask about filtration and run the taps.
• Furnished or not. Listings say fully furnished, part or semi-furnished, or unfurnished. Go through what's actually there and list it in the agreement. "All-inclusive" means utilities are covered, so ask which ones.
• Flooding. Ask how the street behaves in heavy rain. Our flooding guide has more questions.

What we couldn't verify

Agent fees. Stabroek News says only that commissions are based on the rental price. We couldn't verify an amount or who pays, so ask before you view and get the answer in writing.

Notice periods. We couldn't verify the legal notice periods for landlords or tenants, so we won't quote one. Write the notice period into your agreement.

Two tax points

VAT. Residential rent is exempt. Commercial rent carries 14% if the landlord is VAT-registered, so ask whether a quoted commercial rent includes it.

A landlord abroad. If your landlord lives overseas, the tenant or agent withholds 20% of the gross rent for the Guyana Revenue Authority. Agree who handles this before you start paying.

This is general information, not legal advice. If a lease looks one-sided or runs for a long term, have a Guyanese attorney read it first.