Finding a house to rent in Kenya without an agent

Updated 7 November 2026

Know your budget before you look

Add up everything you will pay to move in: the first month's rent, the deposit, any water or electricity deposit and moving costs. Then check the monthly total — rent plus water, garbage and service charge — not just the rent.

Where to look

• Listings from landlords directly, such as Nyumba Homes, where the full cost is shown before you visit.
• Walking the estate: “To let” signs and caretakers still find many of the best houses.
• Friends, colleagues and estate WhatsApp groups — but treat any request for money as a red flag until you've seen the house.

What to check at the viewing

• Water: does it run every day, is there a tank, and is water metered or a flat fee?
• Electricity: prepaid token meter or shared bill?
• Security at night, the road in the rainy season, and phone signal inside the house.
• Damp, cracks and the condition of doors, windows and the toilet — photograph anything broken before you move in.
• Who to call for repairs, and how quickly they usually come.

Avoiding scams

• Never pay a deposit or “booking fee” for a house you haven't seen in person.
• Pay only to a paybill or bank account in the landlord's or company's name, and get a receipt.
• Be wary of a price far below others in the same estate, or pressure to pay today because “many people want it”.
• Ask a neighbour or the caretaker to confirm who owns the building.

Before you move in

Get the agreement in writing: rent, due date, deposit, notice period and what happens to the deposit when you leave. Note the water meter reading on the day you move in so you only pay for what you use. Landlords who use Nyumba PMS send you the offer and agreement to accept on your phone, with receipts for every payment afterwards.

Common questions

Should I pay a viewing fee to see a house?

Be careful. Many genuine landlords and caretakers show houses for free. Never pay anyone before you have seen the house in person and confirmed they actually represent the landlord.

How much deposit is normal in Kenya?

One month's rent is common, sometimes two, plus a water or electricity deposit in some buildings. Get every amount in writing before you pay, and keep the receipt.

How do I know the person showing the house is the landlord?

Ask other tenants in the building, ask the caretaker who the owner is, and pay only to a paybill or bank account in the landlord's or company's name — never to a personal number you were given by a stranger.

Is Nyumba Homes free for tenants?

Yes. Searching and contacting landlords on Nyumba Homes is free. Homes are listed by the landlords themselves, with the rent, deposit and monthly charges shown up front.