Afghanistan capital invaded...by estate agents
A ROYAL Navy reservist has set up Afghanistan’s first luxury estate agency in the war-torn capital.
Richard Scarth, 41, from Hampshire, noticed the opportunity five years ago when he was working with British forces to disarm Afghanistan rebels.
Now he helps landlords rent out their properties in a highly sought after “safe-area” of Kabul, for between £2,500 and £30,000 a month. The inflated rents are paid by foreign governments and aid agencies willing to meet the extra cost to protect their staff.
“In Afghanistan everyone is a property dealer but no-one is trained or qualified,” said Richard, who now lives in Dubai. “Everyone is in it for today’s money. But we are offering a good, professional service.”
Richard and his partner Torialai Bahdrey have about 50 homes on the books of their company, called Property Consulting – Afghanistan. They range from simple Fifties-built flats to 40-bedroom complexes.
An unfurnished two-bedroom flat in Kabul starts at £2,500 a month – more than a similar property in London.
At the upper end of the scale some foreign embassies are willing to pay £30,000 a month to rent mansions with Kalashnikov-wielding guards for their staff.
Richard’s partner Tor said: “When these organisations like a property they pay over the market value for it.” But, he added: “The investment does not bring a big change to the local people. The money is given to the landlords who are living overseas.”