Short answer: corporate housing in Dhaka works best when one agent handles the whole programme: pre-screened buildings in Gulshan, Banani or Baridhara, English leases with early-exit clauses, invoices in the organisation's name and documented handovers. For NGO and UN staff, security approval of the building usually comes first, before the flat itself.
HR and relocation teams moving staff to Bangladesh are rarely looking for one apartment. They need a repeatable way to house people to a consistent standard, within a known budget, in buildings their security focal point will sign off. This guide sets out what corporate housing in Dhaka involves, what approvals and paperwork to expect, and how Rent Property supports organisations that place staff here on a rolling basis.
What is corporate housing in Dhaka?
In Dhaka, "corporate housing" usually means furnished apartments leased for employees on assignments of several months to a few years, with the employer either signing the lease or reimbursing a housing allowance. Most international staff live in Gulshan, Banani or Baridhara because of their proximity to embassies, agency offices and international schools, with Bashundhara and Uttara used where offices or budgets point that way.
It differs from a private rental in three ways: the organisation sets the standard, the organisation often pays, and the organisation carries the risk if a posting ends early. Each of those shapes how the search and the lease should be run.
What do HR and relocation teams need from a housing partner?
- A single point of contact who knows your policy, budget bands and approval chain, rather than a different broker for each assignee.
- Consistent standards across every unit: security, generator back-up, fire exits, furnishing level and parking.
- Shortlists that match policy, so assignees only view buildings that will pass internal review.
- Remote viewings by video for staff who are still overseas.
- English-language leases with the clauses your legal or admin team expects.
- Clean paperwork: invoices and receipts in the organisation's name, suitable for expense and audit.
- Documented handovers at move-in and move-out, to protect deposits.
Accommodation for NGO and UN staff in Dhaka: security approval first
For accommodation for NGO and UN staff in Dhaka, the building normally needs clearance from the organisation's security function before a lease is signed. The exact criteria belong to each organisation and can change, so always work from your own current checklist. The questions typically cover:
- Controlled entry and a guard present around the clock
- CCTV coverage of entrances and parking
- Generator back-up and what it actually powers
- Fire exits, extinguishers and a clear escape route
- Setback from the main road and secure parking
- Window and balcony security on lower floors
Our corporate relocation service pre-screens buildings against criteria like these before they reach a shortlist, which saves the security team from reviewing unsuitable options. See also our embassy-standard apartment security checklist.
Which lease clauses matter for corporate tenants?
A standard Dhaka lease is written with a private tenant in mind. Corporate and diplomatic tenants usually need additional clauses, agreed in writing before signature. Common requests include:
- Early termination (often called a diplomatic clause): the right to end the lease with an agreed notice period if the employee is transferred, recalled or the post is closed.
- Named occupant and substitution: the lease is in the organisation's name, with the right to replace one occupant with another colleague.
- Rent review: when and by how much rent can change at renewal.
- Repairs and response: who fixes what, and how quickly urgent faults are handled.
- Deposit terms: amount, conditions for return and the timeline after move-out.
Landlords are not obliged to accept every clause, and terms vary by building. Have the final version reviewed by your own legal or admin team. Our guide to rental agreements in Bangladesh for foreigners covers the main points in more depth.
How does invoicing in the company name work?
Most organisations want the lease, deposit receipt and monthly invoices issued to the entity, not the individual. That keeps the paper trail clean for finance and audit, and avoids the employee handling large payments personally.
For our serviced apartments, rent, utilities, housekeeping and service charge can be combined into one monthly invoice, issued in BDT or a USD equivalent, with formal receipts. For standard furnished leases, we agree the billing arrangement with the landlord at the offer stage so that the paperwork matches your finance requirements. Tax treatment and withholding obligations are specific to your organisation, so confirm them with your own finance team.
Can you house several staff to the same standard?
Yes, and that is where a managed programme helps most. When several staff arrive in one year, we work from your written standard — area, bedroom count, furnishing, security and budget band — so that colleagues at the same grade are offered comparable homes. Where it suits the organisation, units can be grouped in the same building or neighbourhood, which simplifies security planning and transport.
Budget bands should come from real evidence. In our current listings, furnished three-bedroom apartments in Gulshan and Banani range from around BDT 75,000 to BDT 160,000 per month, depending on size and building. Larger family units in Baridhara reach BDT 350,000 and above. The table below shows the full ranges by area from properties we list.
| Area | Properties | Lowest | Median | Highest | Avg sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulshan | 10 | BDT 70,000 | BDT 160,000 | BDT 300,000 | 2,387 |
| Baridhara | 8 | BDT 150,000 | BDT 350,000 | BDT 1,000,000 | 4,000 |
| Bashundhara | 7 | BDT 35,000 | BDT 80,000 | BDT 150,000 | 1,343 |
| Banani | 6 | BDT 120,000 | BDT 150,000 | BDT 200,000 | 2,767 |
| Uttara | 3 | BDT 90,000 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 300,000 | 3,220 |
| Mohammadpur | 1 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | 2,000 |
| Khulshi | 1 | BDT 35,000 | BDT 35,000 | BDT 35,000 | 1,600 |
| Nikunja | 1 | BDT 600,000 | BDT 600,000 | BDT 600,000 | 9,200 |
| Niketon | 1 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | 2,000 |
| Mirpur DOHS | 1 | BDT 60,000 | BDT 60,000 | BDT 60,000 | 900 |
Monthly rents in BDT, excluding service charge and utilities. Based on 39 residential properties. Updated 2026-11-08.
Service charge, utilities and the deposit are usually on top of rent; our advance rent and security deposit guide explains the typical structure.
Why do handover reports matter?
A dated, photographed inventory signed at move-in is the single most useful document when a tenancy ends. It records the condition of furniture, appliances, walls and fittings, and it makes deposit discussions factual rather than a matter of memory.
Under our property management service, move-in and move-out condition reports are standard, and managed properties are inspected on a documented schedule. For corporate tenants, that gives HR a record they can file for each assignee.
What does a typical corporate move look like?
- Brief: HR shares the policy, budget band, arrival date and family size.
- Shortlist: we pre-screen buildings and send options with photographs, floor areas and rents.
- Security review: your security focal point clears the shortlisted buildings.
- Viewings: in person, or by video if the assignee is still abroad.
- Offer and lease: negotiation in English, clauses agreed, organisation named as tenant.
- Handover: utility connection, inventory, keys and, where needed, airport pickup.
- During the tenancy: one contact for repairs and questions.
- Departure: move-out inspection and support with deposit recovery.
Which Dhaka areas suit corporate and agency staff?
Commute time matters more than distance in Dhaka, so start from the office and, for families, the school. Gulshan suits most corporate and agency roles, with a wide choice of furnished buildings. Baridhara is the natural choice for embassy-linked staff who want to be close to the Diplomatic Zone. Banani is dense and walkable, and often slightly less expensive than Gulshan for comparable space. Bashundhara and Uttara offer larger flats for the money where offices are nearby.
Short-term options while a long-term flat is found
New arrivals often need somewhere for the first few weeks. A serviced apartment on a monthly agreement is usually more practical than a hotel for anything beyond a short stay, and it gives the assignee time to see neighbourhoods before committing. See serviced apartment vs hotel in Dhaka for the comparison.
Ask us on WhatsApp
If you manage housing for an embassy, UN agency, NGO or company, send us your arrival dates, headcount and budget bands, and we will suggest how to structure the search. Message Rent Property on WhatsApp at +880 1784-222255, or use our contact page. We usually reply within one working day.