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Kenya · Housing & Relocation

Renting in Kenya

Partially verified Last verified June 15, 2026 Reviewed by Henry van de Vorming

For an incoming nomad, Nairobi (the main hub, alongside Mombasa) offers a deep and accessible rental market with everything from bare unfurnished long-lets to fully furnished serviced apartments and an active Airbnb/short-let scene, so landing softly is straightforward. Standard residential leases run about 12 months. Upfront cash is typically a security deposit of one to two months' rent plus the first month, with small separate water and electricity/meter deposits on top, so budget roughly three to four months' rent to move in. On rentals, the agent's commission is often paid by the landlord rather than the tenant, though splits vary and informal "viewing" or facilitation fees are a known nuisance. Furnished and serviced inventory is abundant in expat-favored areas (Westlands, Kilimani, Lavington, Karen), making mid-term stays of one to several months realistic without committing to an annual lease. Tenant protection is thinner than in many Western markets: the Rent Restriction Act and its Tribunal only cover dwelling-houses with a standard rent not exceeding KES 2,500/month, so virtually all market-rate tenancies are governed by the written contract and common law — read the lease carefully, especially deposit-refund and notice clauses. Anyone staying beyond 90 days on a permit, pass or residency must register for a Foreign Nationals Certificate (Alien Card); a tenancy agreement or proof of accommodation is commonly used as proof of address.

The rental basics

Typical lease
1 year
Deposit
2 mo rent
Furnished
Furnished + unfurnished
Mid-term market
Strong mid-term market
Address registration
Required

Agency fee: On residential rentals the agent's commission is often paid by the landlord, though in practice it can be paid by the tenant or split between the parties, and rental fee splits are not statutorily fixed. Many tenants commonly pay only the deposit and first month's rent. Beware informal "viewing fees" charged by brokers/agents, which are a recurring complaint, and verify that agents are registered with the Estate Agents Registration Board (EARB). For property sales/purchases, statutory remuneration follows the Estate Agents (Remuneration) Rules scale, which tapers down to roughly 3% (and 1.5% on the residue), with VAT added; in practice flat rates around 1-3% are commonly negotiated.

Address registration

Foreigners residing in Kenya for a period exceeding 90 days must register and obtain a Foreign Nationals Certificate (commonly called the Alien Card), per the Directorate of Immigration Services. It applies to those holding a work permit, dependant/student pass or permanent/residency status; holders of visitor or special passes staying under three months, plus accredited diplomatic staff and registered refugees, are exempt. Application is online via the Foreign Nationals Services portal (fns.immigration.go.ke) with Form 50, passport bio-data page copy, two colour passport photos and proof of valid residency status, followed by document verification and biometric capture; a tenancy/lease agreement or utility bill is commonly used to evidence a Kenyan address. The official fee is cited at KES 1,000 per year (or part thereof) on the immigration site, though some advisory sources report higher figures (e.g. KES 5,000) — confirm the current fee on the official portal before applying.

Your rights as a tenant

Kenya lacks a single comprehensive statute regulating market-rate residential tenancies and deposits. The Rent Restriction Act (Cap. 296) and its Rent Restriction Tribunal protect tenants against arbitrary rent increases and unlawful eviction, but apply only to dwelling-houses with a standard rent not exceeding KES 2,500 per month, so essentially all expat-level tenancies fall outside it and are governed by the written contract and common law. The Distress for Rent Act (Cap. 293) constrains how landlords may seize goods for unpaid rent. Tenants generally have a right to their deposit back at lease end minus legitimate deductions for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear; a refund within about 30 days is a common best practice / contractual term rather than a universal statutory mandate, and post-tenancy deposit disputes are handled by the courts (Small Claims or Magistrates' Court), not the Tribunal. A Landlord and Tenant Bill (2021) to consolidate the Rent Restriction Act, the Distress for Rent Act and the Landlord and Tenant (Shops, Hotels and Catering Establishments) Act (Cap. 301) was proposed (first reading March 2021) but had not been enacted as of the sources reviewed. Notice to end a periodic tenancy is commonly at least one month's written notice unless the lease specifies longer.

Good to know

  • Deep, layered market: bare unfurnished long-lets, fully furnished/serviced apartments and an active Airbnb short-let scene coexist, so nomads can land mid-term without an annual lease
  • Agent commission on rentals is often the landlord's cost rather than the tenant's, lowering upfront burden (though splits vary)
  • Strong furnished/serviced-apartment supply concentrated in expat-friendly areas (Westlands, Kilimani, Lavington, Karen)
  • English is an official language and widely used in contracts and listings, easing the search and lease-signing process

Watch out for

  • Move-in cash stacks up: deposit (1-2 months) + first month + separate water and electricity/meter deposits, often totaling 3-4 months' rent equivalent
  • Weak statutory protection for market-rate tenancies — the Rent Restriction Tribunal only covers dwelling-houses renting at or below KES 2,500/month, so your written lease is your real safeguard; scrutinize deposit-refund and notice clauses
  • Deposit-refund disputes are common and there is no universal statutory refund deadline; a ~30-day window is best practice / contractual, not guaranteed, and post-tenancy disputes go to the courts not the Tribunal
  • Watch for informal broker 'viewing fees' and verify the landlord/agent's legitimacy (EARB registration) before paying any money
  • Stays beyond 90 days (on a permit/pass/residency) require Alien Card registration; keep a lease or proof of address ready for the application

Where to look

BuyRentKenya (buyrentkenya.com)Property24 Kenya (property24.co.ke)Jiji / Jumia HouseKenya Property Centre (kenyapropertycentre.com)Airbnb (furnished & short/mid-term lets)

Platforms are listed for orientation only — we don't endorse or rank them.

Renting in Kenya: FAQ

Renting in Kenya: FAQ

How much deposit do I need to rent in Kenya?

Landlords typically ask for around 2 months of rent as a security deposit, on top of the first month upfront, plus any agency fee (on residential rentals the agent's commission is often paid by the landlord, though in practice it can be paid by the tenant or split between the parties, and rental fee splits are not statutorily fixed. many tenants commonly pay only the deposit and first month's rent. beware informal "viewing fees" charged by brokers/agents, which are a recurring complaint, and verify that agents are registered with the estate agents registration board (earb). for property sales/purchases, statutory remuneration follows the estate agents (remuneration) rules scale, which tapers down to roughly 3% (and 1.5% on the residue), with vat added; in practice flat rates around 1-3% are commonly negotiated.). Budget for that as a lump sum before you arrive.

Do I have to register my address in Kenya?

Yes — Foreigners residing in Kenya for a period exceeding 90 days must register and obtain a Foreign Nationals Certificate (commonly called the Alien Card), per the Directorate of Immigration Services. It applies to those holding a work permit, dependant/student pass or permanent/residency status; holders of visitor or special passes staying under three months, plus accredited diplomatic staff and registered refugees, are exempt. Application is online via the Foreign Nationals Services portal (fns.immigration.go.ke) with Form 50, passport bio-data page copy, two colour passport photos and proof of valid residency status, followed by document verification and biometric capture; a tenancy/lease agreement or utility bill is commonly used to evidence a Kenyan address. The official fee is cited at KES 1,000 per year (or part thereof) on the immigration site, though some advisory sources report higher figures (e.g. KES 5,000) — confirm the current fee on the official portal before applying.

Can I find furnished or short-term rentals in Kenya?

Furnished + unfurnished and the mid-term market nomads rely on is strong mid-term market. Start your search on BuyRentKenya (buyrentkenya.com), Property24 Kenya (property24.co.ke), Jiji / Jumia House.

Sources