What Rental Yield Does Airport Residential Pay?
Airport Residential long lets earn a gross rental yield of 7% to 9% and a net yield of 4% to 7%, per Imaani Homes’ 2026 market analysis. Short lets earn a gross yield of 19% to 22% and a net yield near 10% to 13%, with higher costs and more empty nights. Other guides, such as Ownkey, cite long-let gross yields up to 12%.
Why Do Landlords Choose Airport Residential?
Proximity to the airport drives demand. Accra International Airport, formerly Kotoka International Airport, handled a record 3.62 million passengers in 2025. Embassies, NGOs, and multinationals house staff close to their flights.
Three numbers show the effect, all from Imaani Homes’ 2026 analysis:
- Long-let occupancy runs 85% to 95% on 12 to 24 month corporate and diplomatic leases.
- Two-bedroom long lets rent for $1,800 to $2,500 per month.
- Short-let occupancy runs 70% to 80%, against a city median of 44% to 46%.
Supply also matters. Ownkey reports more than 140 competing Airbnb listings in some Airport Residential apartment clusters. A building with backup power, security, and amenities wins bookings. A plain building competes on price.
How Do You Calculate Rental Yield in Accra?
Gross yield divides one year of rent by the purchase price. Net yield first subtracts annual costs from the rent.
Gross yield = annual rent ÷ purchase price × 100
Net yield = (annual rent minus annual costs) ÷ purchase price × 100
Take a Regalia studio priced from $107,000 including VAT. The table shows the rent each gross yield needs. These rows show required rent, not market rents. Check current listings before you buy.
| Gross yield | Annual rent (USD) | Monthly rent (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 7% | 7,490 | 624 |
| 8% | 8,560 | 713 |
| 9% | 9,630 | 803 |
| 10% | 10,700 | 892 |
| 12% | 12,840 | 1,070 |
Now take the 10% row, or $10,700 a year. Apply placeholder costs to find the net figure. Replace each rate with a quote from your property manager.
| Cost | Rate | Annual amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent income tax | 8% of gross rent | 856 |
| Property management | 10% of gross rent | 1,070 |
| Vacancy allowance | 5% of gross rent | 535 |
| Maintenance and service reserve | 10% of gross rent | 1,070 |
| Total costs | 33% of gross rent | 3,531 |
Net rent equals $7,169, a net yield of 6.7% on $107,000. Property rates and insurance lower the figure further. Ownkey reports a 10% gross yield in Ghana nets about 5.5% to 6.5% after all costs. The Ghana Revenue Authority sets the residential rent tax at 8%.
Should You Choose a Long Let or a Short Let?
Short lets earn more per year. Long lets ask for less work. The table compares both strategies for Airport Residential, using Imaani Homes’ 2026 analysis.
| Factor | Long let | Short let |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly income | $1,800 to $2,500 (two-bedroom) | $3,000 to $4,000 |
| Occupancy | 85% to 95% | 70% to 80% |
| Gross yield | 7% to 9% | 19% to 22% |
| Net yield | 4% to 7% | 10% to 13% |
| Management fee | 8% to 12% of rent | 15% to 25% of income |
| Upfront cost | Low | Furnishing at $8,000 to $20,000 plus a GH¢323 tourism licence |
| Best for | Owners abroad who want steady income | Owners with a professional manager and a tolerance for seasonal swings |
Some owners mix both. They run short lets in peak travel periods and in December, then accept longer stays in quiet months. Managers adjust nightly rates and minimum stays to match demand.
Which Costs and Risks Should You Model?
Model seven items before you buy.
- Rent income tax. The Ghana Revenue Authority sets 8% for residential premises, due within 30 days of receiving rent. Industry guides cite 15% for non-resident landlords. Confirm your rate with GRA.
- New-build exemption. Ownkey reports a five-year rental income tax exemption on new residential construction. Confirm eligibility with GRA or a tax adviser.
- Management fees. Long lets run 8% to 12% of rent. Short lets run 15% to 25% of income.
- Service charge. Expect GH¢800 to GH¢2,500 per month, per Imaani Homes’ analysis.
- Maintenance. Budget 1% to 2% of property value per year.
- Property rates. Ownkey cites 0.5% to 2% of assessable value, set by each assembly. Rates apply during vacancy.
- Advance rent. The Rent Act caps advance rent at six months. The Rent Control Department began active enforcement on 1 April 2026. Plan cash flow around six months, not two years.
One more risk applies to short lets. Ownkey reports more than 140 competing Airbnb listings in some Airport Residential clusters. Do not assume every unit reaches the top of the yield range.
Where Does Regalia Residence Fit?
Regalia Residence is an off-plan development by Imaani Homes in Airport Residential Area, Accra. Studios start from $107,000 including VAT. Pricing is in USD. Imaani Homes offers payment plans built for buyers who earn abroad.
The building supports the yields in this guide. Regalia includes full backup power, a rooftop pool, a gym, and a 24-hour concierge. Imaani Homes’ analysis reports nightly rates 15% to 25% higher for buildings with reliable backup power.
Request the Regalia price list or message the sales team on WhatsApp at +233 595 959595 to request an investment pack. Buying from abroad? Read how Ghanaians abroad buy property in Ghana, step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good rental yield in Accra?
Long lets in Airport Residential gross 7% to 9%, per Imaani Homes’ analysis. Ownkey cites up to 12%. Net yield after costs runs 4% to 7%.
Is Airport Residential good for buy to let?
Demand is strong. Embassies, NGOs, and multinationals drive long-let occupancy of 85% to 95%. Short lets fill 70% to 80% of nights, above the city median of 44% to 46%.
How much rent does a Regalia studio need to earn?
A $107,000 studio needs $713 per month for an 8% gross yield and $892 per month for 10%. Check current listings for your unit type.
Do landlords in Ghana pay tax on rent?
Yes. The Ghana Revenue Authority sets 8% on residential rent, due within 30 days of receipt.
How many months of advance rent can a Ghana landlord collect?
Six months at most under the Rent Act. The Rent Control Department began active enforcement on 1 April 2026.
Is a short let better than a long let in Accra?
Short lets earn a higher net yield, 10% to 13% against 4% to 7%. They need professional management and carry seasonal swings. Long lets suit owners who want steady income with less work.
Sources
Data as of 24 October 2026.
- Imaani Homes via MyJoyOnline: Short-let vs long-let in Accra (March 2026)
- Ownkey: Best neighbourhoods to buy property in Accra in 2026
- Ownkey: Best areas to buy property in Ghana for investment
- Ownkey: Ghana real estate yield and tax guide 2026 (July 2026)
- Ghana Revenue Authority: Rent tax
- Graphic Online: Rent advance enforcement (2026)
