Location Near Dhammazedi Road, Bahan township Price US$700, rent, negotiable Contact Three Friends Company Ltd Phone : 095 154 853, 095 032 542

THE owners of this newly built two-storey house in Bahan township hope that its proximity to downtown will justify its US$700 a month rental price because not much else about it will.

A narrow concreted lane just wide enough for one car from Dhammazedi Road leads to the compound, which is 40 feet wide and 70 feet deep. The whole front yard is tiled, which is great for maintenance, poor for the soul and brutal on your feet on a hot day.

The tiles continue through the entryway, which opens into a small living space at the front corner.

There are more tiles in the dining room, which is extremely bright during the day because the windows let in more than enough light – and their fair share of heat. Green tiles lining the floor and half of the wall do little to dispel the impression that the room was designed for another purpose.

Predictably, the extremely business-like and airy kitchen is also tiled – this time in sky blue – and offers stunning views of the brand new rolls of razor-wire that top the side fence.

A door at the back of the kitchen opens into the back yard where there are two tanks, one above- and one below-ground that have a capacity of 3000 litres.
There is also a single bedroom and bathroom downstairs.

A wooden-floored staircase with a stainless steel handrail leads upstairs onto a landing area with views of Shwedagon Pagoda a star attraction.

Looking out over the front yard are a shrine room and reading room, both of which have windows to take advantage of whatever breeze is blowing.
There is also a spacious master bedroom, with ensuite bathroom and even a smallish bathtub, and a small balcony at the side of the house that would be convenient for drying clothes.

Opposite the master bedroom is a second single bedroom, which also has an ensuite bathroom.

Sitting alongside the house is a one-car garage that leads into a small storeroom and then into the house.

At the back of the house there is also a separate single room, with bathroom alongside, which would be perfect for a maid or live-in maintenance person.
One phone line will be included in the rental price.