How it works

What is Rent-to-Own?

Rent-to-own is a structured pathway from renting to home ownership. You move into your home as a tenant, make agreed monthly payments, and from year 10 have the opportunity to purchase the home on terms agreed from day one.

The pathway

Three steps from tenant to owner

The pathway is deliberately simple — and every step is agreed in writing before you begin.

  1. Move in as a tenant

    Choose a Select Home that suits your needs and enter into a Select Home agreement. You move into the home as a tenant and have the right to live in and enjoy the property while making your agreed monthly payments. Unlike a traditional home purchase, you do not need to secure a conventional mortgage in order to move into the home.

  2. Live in your home and make structured payments

    Your monthly payment and the terms of your agreement are established from the beginning, so you know what you are committing to throughout the agreement. You can live in your home while making your scheduled payments, with the arrangement providing a structured pathway towards eventual ownership rather than simply renting without an ownership option.

  3. Your path to ownership

    From year 10, you have the opportunity to purchase the home in accordance with the terms of your Select Home agreement. You are therefore not required to wait until the end of the full 30-year agreement to become an owner. If you choose to continue under the agreement for the full term, ownership transfers at the end of the 30-year period in accordance with the agreed terms.

See the difference

Renting vs the rent-to-own pathway

Same monthly habit, very different ending — compare what you'd pay over time and what you have to show for it.

Renting

A standard lease — you pay every month, and every month it's gone.

Monthly amount now
E6,400 / month
Total paid over 30 years
E5,102,503

At the end you have: nothing to show for it.

Rent-to-Own pathway

Ownership pathway

The same monthly discipline — but every payment builds your record towards a home of your own.

Monthly amount now
E8,700 / month
Total paid over 30 years
E4,182,521
Indicative home value after 30 years
E3,022,448

At the end you have: a home of your own.

Start your pathway — register interest

Illustrative comparison only. All amounts are indicative and based on a rental agreement with an ownership pathway. Actual amounts and terms are confirmed in your agreement. Select Home does not provide lending or financial products.

Who is it for?

Eligibility at a glance

Ready to move beyond renting? Select Home is designed for people who want more from their monthly housing payment than simply renting long-term. If you're ready for a home of your own, have verifiable income and can comfortably manage the agreed monthly payments, Select Home gives you a structured pathway towards ownership.

Valid identification

A valid Eswatini ID or passport is required as part of the application and verification process.

Verifiable income

You must have a source of income that can be verified — whether formally or informally employed — and that demonstrates your ability to manage the agreed monthly payments.

Proof of residence

You will need to provide proof of your current residential address as part of the application and verification process.

What you need to apply

Have these ready and your application can start the same day.

Individuals

  • Valid Eswatini ID or passport
  • Proof of income
  • 3 months’ bank statements
  • Proof of residence

Businesses & self-employed applicants

  • Form J
  • Form C
  • 3 months’ bank statements
  • Proof of residence

Additional documentation may be requested depending on how your income is earned.

These criteria are indicative only. Final eligibility criteria are set and confirmed by Select Home during your application.

Common questions

Quick answers

The questions we hear most often about the rent-to-own pathway.

Do I need a deposit or bond to start?

A non-refundable option fee equal to three times the first month’s rent is required to enter into the Select Home agreement. This fee secures your option under the agreement and is deducted from the purchase price if you exercise your option to purchase.

What happens if I decide not to buy?

You are not obliged to purchase the home, but you also cannot be required to do so. If you choose not to exercise your option, you may continue as a tenant in accordance with the terms of your agreement. The option to purchase is exclusively available to you during the applicable period under the agreement.

When can I exercise my option to purchase?

Your monthly payments contribute towards the purchase price from your very first payment. However, you may only exercise your option to purchase after completing 10 years from the commencement of your agreement. At that point, a settlement quotation can be prepared for you based on the terms of your agreement.

Browse all FAQs

Ready when you are

See the homes you could own.

Browse the units available on a rent-to-own pathway today, or explore our flagship development at Malkerns Square.

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