Housing Finance Policy

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A. Legal and Regulatory Framework

A.1 Legal and Regulatory Framework
VariableEnd of 2015End of 2014End of 2013SourcesVar ID
Basis of the legal system: Civil, Common, Islamic, Other? (Describe)Mixture of Common, Civil, and CustomaryMixture of Common, Civil, and Customary Mixture of Common, Civil, and CustomaryA.1.1
Are there specific laws that deal with mortgages? YesYesYesA.1.2
Registration/Transfer of titles:A.1.3
Does the law clearly define different types of property rights?YesYesYes
Deeds Registry Act
A.1.3.1
 Are property rights easily transferable?YesYesYes
Research
A.1.3.2
Identify barriers to the registration/ transfer of property title.  Issues arise where there are caveats on the title deed, where it is a deceased estate and the full process of appointing an administrator and /or executor has not been completed, or where a property is registered in a minor's name and when there are compliance issues with local authorities requirements.
Author's Research
A.1.3.3
Typical number of days needed for the transfer of title 36 days36 days
Doing Business 2015
A.1.3.4
Can liens be effectively enforced?  Yes
Author's Research
A.1.4
Number of months until lender acquires the property in case of foreclosure on a single-family residential property?  6 months
CBZ
A.1.4.1
Main causes of inefficiencies (legal, judiciary, administrative, cultural, etc.)  bureaucratic processes in the judiciary system
Author's Research
A.1.4.3
Are there legal constraints on the types of mortgage products that are permitted?  Yes
Building Societies Act
A.1.5
Are there legal constraints on mortgage features?  Yes
CBZ
A.1.6
Interest rate caps  Yes
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
A.1.6.1
Loan-to-Value cap  Yes
Building Societies Regulations, 1973
A.1.6.2
Payment-to-Income maximum  Yes
Labour Act
A.1.6.3
Other  Yes
Author's Research
A.1.6.4
Are there consumer rights for mortgage lending? YesYesYesA.1.7
Are there disclosure requirements for mortgage lending?YesYesYes
Research
A.1.8
Is there specialized legislation covering:A.1.9
Issuance of covered mortgage bonds  Yes
CBZ
A.1.9.1
Issuance of RMBS  Yes
Building Societies Act
A.1.9.2
B. Housing Finance Subsidies
B.1 Subsidies to Housing Finance Institutions
VariableEnd of 2015End of 2014End of 2013SourcesVar ID
Are there subsidized funding sources for mortgage lenders?  No
Author's Research
B.1.1
Tax breaks on mortgage bonds or RMBS  No
Author's Research
B.1.1.4
Loss and/or cash flow guarantees for RMBS  No
Author's Research
B.1.1.5
Other  No
Author's Research
B.1.1.6
Is the lending side of the housing finance system subsidized?  No
Author's Research
B.1.2
Shared credit risk through public/private mortgage insurance   No
Author's Research
B.1.2.1
Guarantees for mortgage loans  No
Author's Research
B.1.2.2
B.2 Subsidies to Households
VariableEnd of 2015End of 2014End of 2013SourcesVar ID
Are there subsidies to households on housing finance?YesYes Yes
Research
B.2.1
Interest rate subsidies by special government funds  No
Author's Research
B.2.1.1
Buy-down of monthly/interest payments  No
Author's Research
B.2.1.2
Down-payment subsidies   No
Author's Research
B.2.1.3
Subsidies to savings for mortgage loansYesYesYesB.2.1.4
Mortgage interest deductibility from income tax  No
Author's Research
B.2.1.5
Other  Yes
Author's Research
B.2.1.6
Reach of subsidies in 2.1.1 to 2.1.4 ?B.2.2
C. Taxation
VariableEnd of 2015End of 2014End of 2013SourcesVar ID
What taxes apply to Residential Real Estate?C.1
Tax on property (home-owners) NoNoNoC.1.1
Property transaction taxes (purchase/selling)YesYesYesC.1.2
Mortgage transaction taxesNoNoNo
Research
C.1.3
Tax on mortgage interest pmtsNoNoNo
Research
C.1.4
Tax on capital gains on property YesYesYesC.1.5
OtherYesYesYesC.1.6
Are there tax benefits on rental properties?  No
Author's Research
C.2
Describe tax benefits (if any) from C.1.2  The sale of prinncipal private residence by persons aged 55 and above is exempt from capital gains tax
Author's Research
C.2.1
back to top | Country Data:
Notes: 15 % Value added tax on rental income
Notes: 15 % Value added tax on rental income
Notes: 15 % Value added tax on rental income
Notes: 15 % Value added tax on rental income
Notes: 15 % Value added tax on rental income
Notes: 15 % Value added tax on rental income
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 5-10 years. The shorter tenure in current years is due to liquidity constraints.
Notes: 5-10 years. The shorter tenure in current years is due to liquidity constraints.
Notes: All loans are variable and indexed.
Notes: All loans are variable and indexed.
Notes: All loans are variable and indexed.
Notes: All loans are variable and indexed.
Notes: All mortgage loans acquired prior to the introduction of the multicurrency system , were eliminated due to inflation.
Notes: Also required is a house-owner's comprehensive insurance
Notes: Also required is a house-owner's comprehensive insurance
Notes: Also required is a house-owner's comprehensive insurance
Notes: Also required is a house-owner's comprehensive insurance
Notes: Also required is a house-owner's comprehensive insurance
Notes: Also required is a house-owner's comprehensive insurance
Notes: Approximate
Notes: Approximate value
Notes: Approximate value
Notes: Approximate value
Notes: Approximate value
Notes: Approximate value
Notes: Approximate value
Notes: Approximate value
Notes: Approximate value
Notes: Approximate value
Notes: Approximate value
Notes: Association of Building Societies lobbies both the government through the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of local government, and Ministry of Housing and Social Amenities as well as the Central Bank.
Notes: Building Societies have set a maximum of 75% but can go as low as 50% depending on risk appetite as well as prevailing economic factors.
Notes: Building Societies have set a maximum of 75% but can go as low as 50% depending on risk appetite as well as prevailing economic factors.
Notes: Building Societies have set a maximum of 75% but can go as low as 50% depending on risk appetite as well as prevailing economic factors.
Notes: Building Societies have set a maximum of 75% but can go as low as 50% depending on risk appetite as well as prevailing economic factors.
Notes: Capital gains are treated as income and taxes are levied at the same progressive rates.
Notes: Capital gains are treated as income and taxes are levied at the same progressive rates.
Notes: CBZ offers the CashPlus - Housing Account which is a high interest earning savings account for those with low-income and saving up to buy a home. The client saves for half the price of the home and the Bank matches that amount in the form of a loan.
Notes: CBZ offers the CashPlus - Housing Account which is a high interest earning savings account for those with low-income and saving up to buy a home. The client saves for half the price of the home and the Bank matches that amount in the form of a loan.
Notes: CBZ offers the CashPlus - Housing Account which is a high interest earning savings account for those with low-income and saving up to buy a home. The client saves for half the price of the home and the Bank matches that amount in the form of a loan.
Notes: CBZ offers the CashPlus - Housing Account which is a high interest earning savings account for those with low-income and saving up to buy a home. The client saves for half the price of the home and the Bank matches that amount in the form of a loan.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: CBZ was 100% acquired by the government of Zimbabwe in 1991 due to financial difficulty. The government is no longer the sole owner but it does have the second largest share.
Notes: Employer-assisted housing schemes
Notes: Employer-assisted housing schemes
Notes: Employer-assisted housing schemes
Notes: Employer-assisted housing schemes
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: FCB was formed in 1990.
Notes: If a household size of 4 is assumed
Notes: If a household size of 4 is assumed
Notes: If a household size of 4 is assumed
Notes: If a household size of 4 is assumed
Notes: Informal institutions and building materials suppliers
Notes: Legal constraints pertain to the fixed term advance, where the advance should not be for more than 5 years.
Notes: Legal constraints pertain to the fixed term advance, where the advance should not be for more than 5 years.
Notes: Legal constraints pertain to the fixed term advance, where the advance should not be for more than 5 years.
Notes: Legal constraints pertain to the fixed term advance, where the advance should not be for more than 5 years.
Notes: Legal constraints pertain to the fixed term advance, where the advance should not be for more than 5 years.
Notes: Legal constraints pertain to the fixed term advance, where the advance should not be for more than 5 years.
Notes: Lending rates quoted by banks range between 6% and 35% per annum, with most banks quoting average lending rates around 20%
Notes: Lending rates quoted by banks range between 6% and 35% per annum, with most banks quoting average lending rates around 20%
Notes: low density
Notes: low density
Notes: low density
Notes: mandatory
Notes: mandatory
Notes: mandatory
Notes: mandatory
Notes: mandatory
Notes: mandatory
Notes: National housing backlog of 1.25 million , i.e. 5 million citizens or 37% of Zimbabwe's population may live in substandard housing.
Notes: No lending due to inflation.
Notes: on all loans
Notes: on all loans
Notes: Pension funds i.e National Social Security Authority (NSSA), Local Authority Pension Fund, Mining Industry,Communication Allied pension fund, almost all pension funds offer mortgages to their contributors.
Notes: Pension funds i.e National Social Security Authority (NSSA), Local Authority Pension Fund, Mining Industry,Communication Allied pension fund, almost all pension funds offer mortgages to their contributors
Notes: Pension funds i.e National Social Security Authority (NSSA), Local Authority Pension Fund, Mining Industry,Communication Allied pension fund, almost all pension funds offer mortgages to their contributors
Notes: Pension funds include local authority pension funds and mining industry pension funds. Labor tax funds include National Social Security Authority.
Notes: Pension funds include local authority pension funds and mining industry pension funds. Labor tax funds include National Social Security Authority.
Notes: Pension funds include local authority pension funds and mining industry pension funds. Labor tax funds include National Social Security Authority.
Notes: Pension funds include local authority pension funds and mining industry pension funds. Labor tax funds include National Social Security Authority.
Notes: Presently at 20% of the capital gain if transaction was done during the multi-currency regime and 5% of the purchase price if it was done in the Zimbabwean dollar era.
Notes: Presently at 20% of the capital gain if transaction was done during the multi-currency regime and 5% of the purchase price if it was done in the Zimbabwean dollar era.
Notes: Presently at 20% of the capital gain if transaction was done during the multi-currency regime and 5% of the purchase price if it was done in the Zimbabwean dollar era.
Notes: regulated by the central bank
Notes: regulated by the central bank
Notes: regulated by the central bank
Notes: regulated by the central bank
Notes: regulated by the central bank
Notes: regulated by the central bank
Notes: Rental income is considered as income and taxes are levied at standard progressive rates.
Notes: Security- property should be titled
Notes: Security- property should be titled
Notes: Security- property should be titled
Notes: Security- property should be titled
Notes: Security- property should be titled
Notes: Security- property should be titled
Notes: Since resumption of mortgage lending in 2010 to March 2011 the 4 building societies advanced 3000 loans with a value of USD $146 million.
Notes: Stamp duty is levied on property transfer.
Notes: Stamp duty is levied on property transfer.
Notes: Stamp duty is levied on property transfer.
Notes: Stamp duty is levied on property transfer.
Notes: Stamp duty is levied on property transfer.
Notes: Stamp duty is levied on property transfer.
Notes: Stamp duty is levied on property transfer.
Notes: Standard sizes range from 150 sq.mt to 500 sq.mt for High Density, from 500 sq.mt to 1,000 sq.mt for medium density and over 1,000 sq.mt for low density
Notes: Statistics for all loans
Notes: Statistics for all loans
Notes: The FBC Building Society was incorporated as Zimbabwe Building Society in 1992. In 2005, the institution changed its name to FBC BS after being acquired by FBC Holdings and the National Social Security Authority.
Notes: The FBC Building Society was incorporated as Zimbabwe Building Society in 1992. In 2005, the institution changed its name to FBC BS after being acquired by FBC Holdings and the National Social Security Authority.
Notes: The FBC Building Society was incorporated as Zimbabwe Building Society in 1992. In 2005, the institution changed its name to FBC BS after being acquired by FBC Holdings and the National Social Security Authority.
Notes: The FBC Building Society was incorporated as Zimbabwe Building Society in 1992. In 2005, the institution changed its name to FBC BS after being acquired by FBC Holdings and the National Social Security Authority.
Notes: The FBC Building Society was incorporated as Zimbabwe Building Society in 1992. In 2005, the institution changed its name to FBC BS after being acquired by FBC Holdings and the National Social Security Authority.
Notes: The FBC Building Society was incorporated as Zimbabwe Building Society in 1992. In 2005, the institution changed its name to FBC BS after being acquired by FBC Holdings and the National Social Security Authority.
Notes: The FBC Building Society was incorporated as Zimbabwe Building Society in 1992. In 2005, the institution changed its name to FBC BS after being acquired by FBC Holdings and the National Social Security Authority.
Notes: The FBC Building Society was incorporated as Zimbabwe Building Society in 1992. In 2005, the institution changed its name to FBC BS after being acquired by FBC Holdings and the National Social Security Authority.
Notes: The FBC Building Society was incorporated as Zimbabwe Building Society in 1992. In 2005, the institution changed its name to FBC BS after being acquired by FBC Holdings and the National Social Security Authority.
Notes: The legal fees include registration fees which are calculated as a percentage of the loan amount at approximately 3%.
Notes: The legal fees include registration fees which are calculated as a percentage of the loan amount at approximately 3%.
Notes: The legal fees include registration fees which are calculated as a percentage of the loan amount at approximately 3%.
Notes: The legal fees include registration fees which are calculated as a percentage of the loan amount at approximately 3%.
Notes: The legal fees include registration fees which are calculated as a percentage of the loan amount at approximately 3%.
Notes: The legal fees include registration fees which are calculated as a percentage of the loan amount at approximately 3%.
Notes: The lending rate ranges from 0.15% for saving accounts to 20% for time deposits, which averages to around 10%
Notes: The lending rate ranges from 0.15% for saving accounts to 20% for time deposits, which averages to around 10%
Notes: The stamp duty tax ranges from 1 to 4%, depending on the value of the property. This transaction cost is paid by the buyer.
Notes: The stamp duty tax ranges from 1 to 4%, depending on the value of the property. This transaction cost is paid by the buyer.
Notes: There are 15 commercial banks, 5 merchant banks, 4 Building Societies (initially they were 5 then one was closed by the Regulatory authorities),1 savings bank, 16 asset management companies and 114 microfinance institutions. Mortgages are mostly funded by Building Societies.
Notes: These are verification fees charged by the Registrar of Deeds for deeds search.
Notes: These are verification fees charged by the Registrar of Deeds for deeds search.
Notes: These are verification fees charged by the Registrar of Deeds for deeds search.
Notes: These are verification fees charged by the Registrar of Deeds for deeds search.
Notes: These are verification fees charged by the Registrar of Deeds for deeds search.
Notes: These are verification fees charged by the Registrar of Deeds for deeds search.
Notes: These fees are transfer fees which are calculated as per percentage of purchase price approximately 7%
Notes: These fees are transfer fees which are calculated as per percentage of purchase price approximately 7%
Notes: These fees are transfer fees which are calculated as per percentage of purchase price approximately 7%
Notes: These fees are transfer fees which are calculated as per percentage of purchase price approximately 7%
Notes: These fees are transfer fees which are calculated as per percentage of purchase price approximately 7%
Notes: These fees are transfer fees which are calculated as per percentage of purchase price approximately 7%
Notes: USD $25.00 for indivudual applications and $200 for commercial applications.
Notes: USD $25.00 for indivudual applications and $200 for commercial applications.
Notes: Valuation fees 1-2% of loan amount , administration fees 2-5% of loan amount
Notes: Valuation fees 1-2% of loan amount , administration fees 2-5% of loan amount
Notes: very small number
Notes: very small number
Notes: very small number
Notes: very small number
Notes: very small number
Notes: very small number
Notes: Zimbabwe is on a multi-currency regime and has no locally denominated currency loans.
Notes: Zimbabwe is on a multi-currency regime and has no locally denominated currency loans.
Notes: Zimbabwe is on a multi-currency regime and has no locally denominated currency loans.
Notes: Zimbabwe is on a multi-currency regime and has no locally denominated currency loans.
Notes: Zimbabwe's Central Bank lending rate was made dysfunctional with the introduction of the multi-currency system in February 2009 as the Central Bank's role of lender of last resort was made obsolete. This role was re-established from February 2011 but no lending rates have yet been set.
Notes: Zimbabwe's national income distribution is unknown. Only 5% of the working population works in the formal sector. Of these 49% earn more than USD $2000, 36% earn between USD $400 and USD $2000 and 59%earn less than USD $400 per month.
Notes: Zimstat defines "employed" as being productive and earning income in the field of activity