Moving to Morocco January 2009?

Question

Asalaamu Alaikum wrwb,

Ok, i know this may sound kind of strange to some, but to me it's my life and my journey, I fell in Love with Morocco . I've been there twice, both times I stayed in Kenitra, I love this city so much and my wife is from there as well. And we both have decided we wanted to raise our family there. My problem is, I could not find employment easy, well none for that matter. Im a experienced Limousine driver in NYC and my trick of trades are not offered in this region . So the only plan we can come up with i will stay in morocco for 8 months and then travel back to usa alone to work back in the limo business for 4 months, after purchasing another round trip ticket , its possible to come back to morocco with around 12,000 dollars, thats not much, but can make do in Morocco. So my question is, I heard of this way to rent, im not sure if it is true or not but sounds interesting, is it true you can find owners who will rent to with a contract , you pay them a certain amount of money up front, and then you can make smaller monthly rent payments, and at the end of contract you get back the deposit. sound familiar? I forgot what it is called. Also, i'm interested in other cities in morocco , so I will accept any and all beneficial information in regards to this matter, sorry I wrote so much, wallah , i have so much questions and things to say ..lol....thankx

Answer 1

Asalaamu alaikoum

Brother there is two different (among other ways) things and I am not sure which way you are referring.  

One, there are owners who will do a rent to own with you.  You give a down payment and then pay monthly rent (using a contract of course) until the agreed price is met and then you get the deed.  If you choose to not buy the house you get the down payment back and you part ways....the rent was just that of course.

The other way is the owner takes a deposit and gives you a discount on rent because he is borrowing money from you.  The problem is that this is considered haram.  You would do best to inquire with a scholar of course.  I know for sure that it is haram as it is a subject that has come up often here and we (my family) has inquired with a scholar ourselves.  

Answer 2

Yes that is how many landlords rent their property and it's quite common.  Two of my husband's cousins rented their apartments in Casablanca that way.  BTW my hubby is from Kenitra and it is a beautiful city and not too many tourists, but you're right there is not much work available at all.  I hope you find what you're looking for.  My husband and I want to move to Morocco in several years after my son graduates from college.

Answer 3

Akhi,

first of all, the prices I saw in some of the answers are horibly expensive, I am Moroccan, and I know the prices there, and what you asked about rent is true, they do that, the contract is usually for one year or 2 years, deposit of $2000 or $5000 maybe more or less, depends on what location, Kenitra is NOT gonna be expensive like Casablanca or Marrakech, the prices there are low, after the deposit you will start making very low monthly payments till the contract ends, then you get your WHOLE deposit back, no question about that. but you also can sign another contract and stay longer if you want. And why dont you start a business in Morocco, Kenitra is pretty close to Rabat and Casablanca, the capital of economy, start a SMART business, and make easy money. I live in USA but im going back to my hometown close to Marrakech to live BETTER

Answer 4

It is beautiful. I wanna move there some day, Insha Allah

I hope everything goes well!

Answer 5

Hi, yes me too, I fell in love with Morocco many years ago and have in the past 3 years repeatedly returned - 4 times per year, now the flight prices have inflated!!!  I want to start my business there so will need to live there also for a while.

Yes, it is true that you put a lump sum deposit and the monthly rent is dropped. My family's cousin asked £20,000 deposit on a 3 bed roomed, rooftop terrace just outside Marrakech, he would have then let me have the rent for £100 ($200 / 1450 Dh) per month. He was initially asking 1800 Dh per month - (£122 / 244$)  As the rent are so cheap, I would prefer to give less deposit.

I wish you well with your venture, and yes, Kenitra is a beautiful place - Horse breeding area of Rabat - finest Moroccan horses, and in April, the honey festival. Add me to your contacts and we can keep an eye out for how each others are getting along with moving out there. Best of luck.