Rentals in high-density suburbs in Zimbabwe are soaring and landlords are demanding payment in foreign currency and food, the state-controlled Herald reported on Thursday.

Residents of a suburb in Harare told the newspaper that they were now forced to supply two litres of cooking oil, 20 kilograms of maize meal and two kilograms of sugar as part of their monthly rentals.

A two litre bottle of cooking oil, 20kg of maize-meal and two kg of sugar are pegged at Z$200-billion, Z$160-billion and Z$50-billion respectively.

According to the Herald, a bedsitter, one bedroom and two bedroomed flats are now pegged at $100, $150 and $250, or the Zim dollar equivalent, respectively.

Chairperson of the National Incomes and Pricing Commission, Godwills Masimirembwa said that charging rent in foreign currency should end with immediate effect.

"We are going to take stern measures against unscrupulous landlords who are charging exorbitant rentals at the expense of consumers," he said.

Property analyst Matthias Kufandirimbwa said the increase in rentals was mainly caused by the ever-increasing demand for accommodation in urban areas, especially in high-density suburbs.

Sapa