“A slice of heaven in Africa”

FAQ’s

What is Malu Ranch?

  1. So what is Malu Ranch?

Malu Ranch is astunning 1800-acre privately owned ranch in Naivasha, Kenya. It is an easy 1 hour 15 minute drive from Nairobi on the main Nairobi - Nakuru Road. Malu Ranch combines easy access to major transport links, shopping and city services with a natural lifestyle in exceptionally unspoilt and beautiful surroundings with wonderful views of the Great Rift Valley.

  1. What is the Malu Ranch Concept

The concept behind Malu Ranch is to find like-minded investors to buy into and share a part of this magical property, by purchasing a license over a plot of approximately 10-acres upon which to build a homewith a view to enjoying and conserving the natural environment. License holders will also obtain shares in the management company of the property.

The existing airstrip at Malu is being extended and there will be a small number of airstrip plots where owners can build their own hangar/house. All residents at Malu Ranch will have access to the airstrip, which is 20 minutes flying time from Nairobi.

  1. Is there any wildlife on Malu Ranch?

Yes, Malu Ranch has the most beautiful wildlife ranging from dik-dik, eland occasionally, bush buck, water buck have been seen, hyena, leopard, buffalo, zebra as well as, Leopard, several troupes of colobus monkeys, warthog, impala and a Zebra. Two local ranches have kindly offered Biazi LLP, more wildlife should Biazi LLP want it, or should the eco system be able to sustain it.

  1. What is so special about Malu Ranch?

You would probably only ask this if you haven’t seen it! Malu is the last remaining indigenous cedar and olive forest on the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley. It is an extremely important habitat for the flora and fauna living there too. Malu has the amazing advantages of an unspoiled environment close to a major capital city with over 40km of hiking, walking and biking trails through some of the most beautiful forests, along spring fed streams and river’s edge.
How do I buy a property at Malu Ranch?

  1. How do I buy?

It is easy. Firstly you need to pay a fully refundable 1% booking fee. This reserves your plot, (and your discount if you one of the early birds) for 60 days, after which you need to ‘top this up’ to a 10% non-refundable deposit, by paying a further 9%. This is followed by a further 45-day period by which time you need to sign the licence agreement and pay the balance in full, the remaining 90%.

  1. Is there any point in moving ahead quickly?

It is important to pay your booking fee as soon as possible not only to lock in your ‘early bird’ special pricing but also to secure your property of choice. Early bird pricing is limited to the first 25 plots and is 25% below the regular price. Another advantage of buying early is that while the road, electricity and water contractors are on site, you may be able to negotiate preferable pricing for creating and clearing your house site and access to your plot.

  1. What am I actually buying?

You are purchasing the ability, by way of a license to build yourself a house on a stunning 10-acre parcel of land within Malu Ranch. Under the license you will be able to enjoy that property for 99 years, after which the license will be renewed automatically, subject to some legal fees for the paperwork.Simultaneously you are acquiring shares in the Malu Property Management Company. This means you have a say on how the property is maintained and managed. These shares also protect your ability, along with your fellow licensees/shareholders to acquire the full title should you wish to, or should the need arise in the future.

  1. Can I pass the license pass on to my Estate?

Yes of course, along with the shares in the Management Company, they are inseparable.

  1. Why are you selling a ‘License to Occupy’ and not a title?

A license enables us to better protect the conservation objectives for Malu Ranch. A license also ensures good secure tenure for those licensees that wish to build a home at Malu Ranch and rest assured that your neigbour is of a similar mind.

  1. Are there any negative aspects to buying a ‘License’?

Not in our view. A license simply and effectively ensures the protection and conservation of Malu Ranch while allowing us to share that with those like-minded people that would like to live amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in Africa. One possible disadvantage to some is that a license may not be used as security for a mortgage or a bank loan.

  1. Are there any advantages to a license over a lease?

Yes. We think so. Firstly, unlike a lease, the license does not attract stamp duty.There are some legal differences, which help us conserve the property and ensure the wildlife is protected. Another important consideration is that a license is considerably easier to manage and diminishes the unnecessary bureaucracy and interference of ever changing land legislation in which at this time many experts are unable to agree. The license enables us to minimise this and have a greater say in the security and conservation of the property.

  1. Can I reserve a plot?

Yes but to reserve a property and secure special ‘early bird’ pricing, you need to pay a fully refundable booking fee, which is 1% of the purchase price. We will then hold your plot for you for 60 days. You can chop and change your plot reservation within this time. This makes it ideal if you know you would like a plot, but haven’t quite decided which one yet.

  1. When do I have to pay?

As soon as possible. The first payment is the 1% fully refundable booking fee and will lock us in to holding your preferred plot, as well as your ‘early bird’ pricing. Within 60 days a deposit of a further 9% (the total 10% now becomes non refundable) of the license cost to Malu Ranch’s lawyers, Coulson Harney Advocates. They will hold the booking fee and in turn the deposit while the licence documentation is prepared.

  1. When can I access the property and start building?

You can visit as often as you like and start making plans as soon as your deposit is paid. You can start work on your property as soon as the balance has been paid in full, or until specific arrangements have been made with regards any special payment terms.

  1. What if I know which plot I want and just want to pay and start building?

As soon as your plot is paid for you can go ahead. Once your deposit is paid you can submit your plans for approval. Quick buyers will be able to take advantage of the cash back ‘quick build’ scheme (see below).

  1. Can I come and have a look at the property, meet the lawyers and the team behind this before I decide to invest?

By all means, get in touch with us, plan your visit andeither drive or fly toMalu, fly over the land have a look around the lodge, even stay a night at a discounted rate. Meet with the lawyer acting for Malu and get all the information first hand.

  1. Are their any ‘deals’ to be had?

Yes, there are a number of deals available: -

  1. Family and Friends discount wanting to buy properties next to one another purchased at the same time.
  2. Developer discount. This allows a payment plan for developers wishing to purchase and build houses, a minimum purchase of three plots required.
  3. ‘Early Bird’ discount for those wanting to jump in early with full deposit.
  4. Quick Build discount. This is a ‘cash back’ discount for those that buy and build and complete within one year of purchase.

Please contact the sales team for full details.

  1. My bank won’t give me a mortgage – how else can I obtain a loan?

Unfortunately at this time the Kenyan banking system doesn’t offer loans against a license – however if this is a necessary part of your purchase, please speak to us. We are working on some options for buyers to be able to get a loan or softer payment terms with a number of financial institutions and banks.

  1. I’d love to buy a licence but I don’t have all the money available

Please talk to the sales team. It is more important for us to create the perfect community and ensure the conservation of the flora and fauna than squeeze every last penny from the licensees.

  1. If I buy a plot, do I have to build on, it or develop it in any way?

No. You can buy your plot and hold on to it, either as an investment for future sale, or until you are ready to build, or just simply to have a piece of Africa that you are helping to conserve.

My property and house – what scope do I have?

  1. What can I do with my plot on Malu Ranch?

The idea is that you are buying a property with a view to protecting the flora and the fauna of Malu Ranch. To this end, building a nice cottage over some 25% (max) of the property area would be an ideal way to protect and conserve as well as to enjoy a beautiful home in the area. You can also open up some of the undergrowth so as to create some paths and recreation areas within the property.

  1. How big a house can I build?

A house the size of the Mahindu House situated on Malu Ranch would be about the maximum and sets a good benchmark. We would encourage houses to be on one level, particularly if you wanted a slightly larger house so that it can remain discreet and hidden as best as possible from other buyers. So in short a greater foot print for a single storey house over a double storey house. Its basically a question of what will fit into the environment.

If you would like to build a large significant house a larger plot might suit you better. There are a number of plots where you could buy 20 or 30-acres together. We would try to find a suitable plot where your house can blend in to the landscape, not obstruct any ones views or be too evident to others. Let us know what your dreams are and we will help you realise them. There are a whole range of plot sizes, elevations and landscape that are more suitable to different types and styles of house.

  1. How many houses can I build on my property?

One main house and asmall guest cottage together with staff quarters if you require. Though there are plans to build a small staff area on the property allowing you to rent a room for your staff rather than have to build your own staff quarters. There are circumstances where for use within one immediate family group you could build two small cottages, rather than one house and a small guest cottage.

  1. Can I build any style of house?

You can build any style within the guidelines and subject to Malu Ranch approval.The reason for this is simple, while we want to encourage different individual designs whilst also wanting to ensure that the house of your dreams is not the house of your neighbours nightmares. Within Malu Ranch we want to create a community of like-minded people but that does not mean everyone has to have the same taste. However, the Malu Ranch approvals process will ensure that the overall aesthetics of Malu are never compromised.

Malu Ranch has engaged the services of Planning Systems Ltd, a well-established and well-known architectural firm. They have several designs of houses that would be eminently suitable to Malu Ranch and are well aware of the design guidelines. Please contact the Malu Ranch sales team for more information.

  1. What if I own a house on the airstrip?

Owning one of the airstrip properties gives you the exciting opportunity to build a house with a hanger attached. If you are an aircraft owner you can taxi your plane right into your property. This is the ultimate ‘airpark’ concept so revered in the United States.There are only a small number of airstrip properties available. The airstrip will be built to a standard to easily accept aircraft up to a category of a Cessna Caravan or a Pilatus PC12. The hanger should be sized to fit a light aircraft (not maintain a Boeing!)

  1. How do I look after the house – staff etc when I live overseas or far away?

If you wish you can arrange for the Malu Lodge to look after and care for your house while you are away and they will be more than happy to do this for you and charge a small fee relative to your particular requirements. You may choose to allowMalu Lodge to rent out your house. Malu Lodge will offer a number of services like supplying you with some staff or even simply stocking your fridge before you arrive, and laundering your sheets when you leave.

  1. How do I go about building my house with the least amount of fuss?

Malu Ranch has identified a select number of architects including Planning Systems Ltd who have a good knowledge of the property, and have a number of designs that are extremely suitable for Malu Ranch. Some designs are ready to goor can be altered to your specific requests.

Planning Systems Ltd are happy to simply sell you a set of drawings, for a reasonable fee, or offer you a complete turn-key service, project managing to the last detail for a simple and easy life! You just need to arrive when it is done.

Alternatively a simple three bedroom ‘EHG’ house could be ready in as little as 8 weeks for something in the region of KES 4m. A more expensive but stunning and substantial log home from Finland designed and assembled by The Othaya Group could be ready in a little longer – but quite spectacular.

The overall guiding principle in the house approvals process is that houses must fit in with the lay of the land. We do not want anything too ostentatious and certainly not an eye sore, but beautiful and in keeping with the environment.

  1. How can I fence around my land, what area do I have?

Your license allows you to build on a ‘footprint’ on your plot and you can fence the immediate area surrounding your house or cottage if you want to secure dogs etc.

No stone/brick wall will be allowed orfencing or hedging of the entire licensed area.Malu Ranch is country living where you can secure the immediate area around your home, and the rest is shared with the wildlife.

There is of course a 10ft high electric fence surrounding the full 1800-acres of Malu Ranch and the forest.

  1. How do I connect to water and power?

Water will be piped to within easy reach of your property, by either the Malu Management Company or another contracted company. You will pay a connection fee and thereafter you will be charged per cubic meter on your usage. If you are one of the lucky ‘early birds’ the Malu Management Company will supply water directly to your water tank as and when you need it. You will be strongly encouraged to collect rainwater and store it.

We would encourage the use of as much renewable energy as possible – the use of solar collection is greatly encouraged. For those ‘early birds’ a generator will be made available for you during your building process and for your use until you have been able to apply for a connection with Kenya Power and Lighting.

  1. Is the water and power already in place to each of the plots?

Malu Ranch is already connected to three phase electricity and we have ample water from the stream, hot springs and river – however when the road upgrade works begin – scheduled for early Sept 2016 the water and electrical distribution will be put in place running underground alongside the main roads in the property. Licenses for 4 boreholes have been granted, and in September work will begin by drilling the boreholes and putting in place a water storage facility that will allow good pressure gravity feed to all properties. The cost of getting water to the access roads will be at Malu Ranch’s expense, the cost of the water and electrical connection from the road access points into the property will be the cost of the plot owners and must be underground.

  1. Can I subdivide my plotat Malu Ranch?

In short, no. The concept of Malu is to create space and harmony with nature this is best created by allowing space between houses. This allows the natural flow of nature to take its course over as much of your ten acres as possible. Plots on Malu Ranch cannot be ‘sub divided’ or sold as smaller lots or be developed into 10 houses. We believe that this will greatly enhance the value of your property, and Malu Ranch as the ultimate country property.

  1. How can I make money from the house?

Malu Lodge has run as a successful lodge business for the last 18 years. If you want to take advantage of Malu Lodge’s management facility, you may choosetorent your property through them.