Zambian Rent Act, designed in 1972 for stable and long-term residential tenancies, is increasingly strained by the emergence of short-term platforms like Airbnb, which is designed to operate on flexible, commercial terms.
Airbnb is relatively new to the Zambian market and is meant to house clients for a short period of time, implying that the property owner is likely to make more money in some instances rather than having a tenant for a longer period of time.
In an interview with the Zambian Business Times, operations officer at ACI Financial Markets Association Blessings Banda revealed that this mismatch has fueled conflict where landlords seek to evict protected tenants to pivot towards more lucrative short-stay use, resulting in illegal evictions and legal uncertainties on both sides.
Banda observed that the current legislation prioritizes security of tenure and leaves out self-help evictions, exposing tenants to undue evictions. “It rightly prioritizes security of tenure and prohibits self-help evictions,” he emphasized.
He noted that the legislation is silent on rental typologies, conversions, and gig economy hosting.
“Rather than weakening tenant protections, Zambia likely needs targeted reform that clearly distinguishes long-term residential tenancies from short-term accommodation,” Banda said.
He explained that reforms should regulate conversions where sitting tenants exist and give small legitimate hosts legal clarity.
“This will balance housing stability with the growing role of short-term rentals in urban livelihoods and tourism,” Banda emphasized. The rise of platforms like Airbnb has exposed gaps in the 1972 law, with landlords and tenants both facing uncertainty as residential units shift to commercial short-stay use.
At the height of such modern housing models, it is imperative that the lawmakers stay abreast of the current happenings and ensure to create policy that speaks to the demands.
“Targeted reform is crucial to protect housing stability while supporting tourism and urban incomes,” Banda conclude.
Article by Samuel Mutale
