Harare City Council Issues Eviction Notices to Mbare Tenants Over Unpaid Rent

Despite enduring extremely poor living conditions, residents of Mbare have been served with eviction notices by the Harare City Council due to unpaid rent for council-owned flats.

The council has issued a 14-day ultimatum for tenants to settle their outstanding rental balances or face eviction.

In a notice dated June 18, 2025, Harare’s Director of Housing, Addmore Nhekairo, informed residents that failure to clear the arrears would result in eviction and legal action to recover the council’s losses.

“Please be informed that following several warnings and reminders regarding your overdue rent, this serves as the final notice to either pay the outstanding amount or vacate the premises to prevent further loss to the City of Harare.

You are required to fulfill your rental obligations within 14 days from the date you receive this notice. Non-payment constitutes a serious violation of the lease agreement, empowering the City to terminate the lease and recover all related costs.

Regardless of whether a formal lease agreement exists, the council reserves the right to pursue recovery of holding costs resulting from any breach of mutual agreement,” the notice reads.

This move is part of the City’s broader initiative to recover overdue payments from tenants occupying municipal properties.

Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on the City of Harare to refurbish the dilapidated flats in Mbare, which many now consider unfit for habitation.

A High Court ruling last year directed the City Council to upgrade the flats to meet acceptable living standards. However, the council has appealed the decision.

Speaking to NewZimbabwe.com, Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) director Ruben Akili said that the dire condition of the flats has discouraged many tenants from paying rent.

“These are the same flats that were covered by a court order mandating renovations. As you know, all flats in Mbare were meant to be upgraded. The conditions there are unbearable—sewage is overflowing, and many issues remain unresolved.

From CHRA’s point of view, while some tenants do pay rent, others do not. The City must first tackle the root causes behind this non-payment,” said Akili.