Fantastic, nothing to add. Mathilde managed to find us an apartment that met all our criteria. Thank you so much for your help and professionalism.







Taslim, or another of our hunters in Dakar, will take care of your search
The total monthly occupancy cost in Dakar is made up of several components that international students should budget for carefully.
Dakar in brief for international students: Rent a furnished studio near UCAD or ISM for 150,000–400,000 FCFA/month. Budget for a security deposit (up to 2 months' rent), agency fees (~1 month's rent), and separate utility bills. Key student neighbourhoods: Mermoz, Point E, Fann, Ouakam, and Médina. Always sign a written lease and request a move-in inventory (état des lieux).
Finding long-term student accommodation in Dakar requires understanding a rental market that is dynamic, diverse, and governed by specific local rules. Whether you are enrolling at Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) in Fann, studying business at ISM in Point E, or attending ESMT, your choice of neighbourhood will directly affect both your daily commute and your monthly budget. Rents in Dakar are denominated in West African CFA francs (FCFA) and vary significantly by area: from 100,000 FCFA/month for a basic studio in Médina to over 500,000 FCFA/month for a furnished apartment in Mermoz or Fann. This guide covers the key student neighbourhoods, typical rental budgets, lease requirements, and practical tips for securing a long-term rental in Dakar as an international student.
Dakar, the capital of Senegal, is the main destination for international students in West Africa, anchored by Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) — the country's largest public university — alongside private institutions such as ISM and ESMT. The long-term rental market offers a wide range of options, from basic studios in Médina from around 100,000 FCFA/month to furnished apartments in Mermoz or Point E at 300,000–550,000 FCFA/month. Under Senegalese law (Décret n° 2023-382 of 24 February 2023), the security deposit is capped at two months' rent for leases under 500,000 FCFA/month, and agency fees typically equal one month's rent. Students should plan for significant upfront costs and always request a written inventory (état des lieux) at move-in.
Finding long-term student accommodation in Dakar requires understanding a rental market that is dynamic, diverse, and governed by specific local rules. Whether you are enrolling at Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) in Fann, studying business at ISM in Point E, or attending ESMT, your choice of neighbourhood will directly affect both your daily commute and your monthly budget. Rents in Dakar are denominated in West African CFA francs (FCFA) and vary significantly by area: from 100,000 FCFA/month for a basic studio in Médina to over 500,000 FCFA/month for a furnished apartment in Mermoz or Fann. This guide covers the key student neighbourhoods, typical rental budgets, lease requirements, and practical tips for securing a long-term rental in Dakar as an international student.
Dakar's rental market offers a wide range of options for international students, from affordable shared rooms to well-equipped furnished studios. The currency used is the West African CFA franc (FCFA/XOF), and rents are always quoted per month. Students should be aware that landlords frequently require several months' rent upfront: the first month's rent, a security deposit of up to two months' rent (capped by Décret n° 2023-382 of 24 February 2023 for leases under 500,000 FCFA/month), and, if using an agency, a fee equivalent to approximately one month's rent. Budgeting for these upfront costs is essential before signing any lease in Dakar.
One of the most common mistakes made by international students searching for long-term rentals in Dakar is underestimating the total move-in cost. Many students budget only for the first month's rent, not realising that landlords typically require a security deposit (caution) of one to two months' rent upfront, plus agency fees equivalent to approximately one month's rent if the property is found through an agency (Keur-Immo, 2024; RentPackage, 2026).
A second frequent error is signing a lease without a written inventory (état des lieux). Without this document, tenants risk losing their deposit at the end of the tenancy, as there is no baseline record of the property's condition (Keur-Immo, 2024).
Finally, students sometimes overlook the fact that utilities are almost always billed separately in Dakar. Water (5,000–20,000 FCFA/month) and electricity (10,000–50,000 FCFA/month) can add meaningfully to the monthly cost, especially if air-conditioning is used (Loger-Dakar, 2024).
Fantastic, nothing to add. Mathilde managed to find us an apartment that met all our criteria. Thank you so much for your help and professionalism.
Gaëlle provided excellent service. We finally found accommodation that suited us. At first, I was a little pessimistic, but in the end, everything went well.
Justine was an invaluable help. She quickly found us a rental that perfectly matched our requirements. Her availability, kindness, and responsiveness are undeniable. I highly recommend her services!
Thank you to Aude for her availability, follow-up, and smile! A room was found for my daughter very quickly. Thank you for all the information, answering our many questions, and for your support right up to the key handover! I highly recommend her.
Searching for a property in Dakar while living abroad is a complex challenge. A local property hunter offers you a decisive advantage: they know the Dakar real estate market inside out, including neighborhoods like Plateau, Almadies, Mermoz, and Les Mamelles.
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With Remoters, you are connected to verified, experienced property hunters based in Dakar who specialize in helping expatriates and international buyers find their ideal home.
A property hunter in Dakar is fully equipped to work with clients located anywhere in the world. The entire process is designed to be seamless, transparent, and efficient, even across time zones and borders.
Here is how the remote collaboration typically works:
Remoters connects you with property hunters in Dakar who have proven experience working with international clients, ensuring a smooth and stress-free relocation.
Searching for a property in Dakar on your own from abroad exposes you to significant risks that can cost you time, money, and peace of mind. Understanding these risks highlights exactly why a local property hunter is an invaluable ally.
Common risks when searching alone:
By working with a Remoters-verified property hunter in Dakar, you eliminate these risks and gain a trusted local partner who acts exclusively in your interest.
One of the most common questions from international clients is whether hiring a property hunter in Dakar is truly worth the cost. The short answer is: absolutely yes — and here is why.
Typical fee structure:
Property hunters in Dakar generally charge a fee equivalent to one month's rent for rental searches, or a percentage of the purchase price (usually between 2% and 5%) for property acquisitions. Some hunters also offer fixed-fee packages for specific services.
Why the investment pays off:
On Remoters, you can compare property hunters in Dakar, read verified reviews from other expatriates, and choose the professional who best fits your needs and budget. The platform makes it easy to find a hunter whose expertise justifies every franc of their fee.
First contact:Your home finder offers a free call to understand your needs.

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