What to Check Before Paying a House Deposit in Kenya

1. Confirm the landlord's identity

Establish who owns or manages the property and who will sign the tenancy agreement. If an estate agent, property manager or caretaker is involved, confirm that they're authorised to arrange the tenancy and receive payments.

For an estate agent, you can check registration with the Estate Agents Registration Board (EARB), where applicable. A WhatsApp name, social media profile or copy of an ID isn't enough on its own; confirm important details independently where you can.

For more on verifying landlords, agents and listings, see How to Avoid Rental Scams in Kenya: 10 Essential Checks.

2. Inspect the actual house

Make sure the unit you inspect is the one you've agreed to rent. Check the bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, wardrobes, water, electricity, locks and windows, and ask about advertised amenities such as parking, lifts, a backup generator, borehole water and internet.

If the house is still occupied, agree when it will be vacant and when you'll get the keys. Don't pay just because the photos look convincing or someone says they're holding the keys.

3. Confirm the full amount payable

The deposit is only part of the cost of moving in. Ask for a written breakdown of:

• First month's rent, paid in advance.
• Security deposit.
• Agency or letting fee, where one applies and has been agreed.
• Service charge, if it's billed separately.
• Water or electricity deposits.
• Parking, access or other building charges.

Confirm which payments are refundable, which recur and which are one-off, and budget separately for moving and utility connections. For example, for an apartment at KSh 35,000 a month with a one-month deposit and an agreed agency fee of KSh 10,000:

This is an illustration, not a fixed market rate. Add any service charge, utility deposits or other agreed costs. The deposit may be refundable subject to the agreement; don't assume rent or agency fees are.

4. Understand the deposit refund conditions

Ask when and how the deposit will be refunded after the tenancy ends. The agreement should cover permitted deductions, how the house is handed back and the expected refund timeline, including how unpaid rent, unpaid utility bills and damage beyond normal wear and tear are handled.

Don't assume the landlord can keep the whole deposit, or that it must always come back in full regardless of what's owed. Where possible, agree on a joint inspection at the end of the tenancy and ask for an itemised list of any deductions.

5. Read the tenancy agreement carefully

Confirm it correctly names the parties, the house, the rent, the deposit and the start date. Then look closely at:

• Rent due dates and accepted payment methods.
• The length of the tenancy and notice periods.
• When and how rent can be reviewed.
• Who handles repairs and maintenance.
• Utilities and service charge.
• Deposit deductions and refunds.
• How the tenancy ends and keys are handed back.

Ask about unclear clauses before signing, and don't rely on verbal promises that aren't in the written agreement.

6. Find out whether service charge is included

In many apartment blocks and gated communities, service charge pays for shared services such as security, cleaning, common-area lighting, gardening and lifts. What it covers, and how much it costs, varies. Ask:

• Is it included in the advertised rent?
• If not, how much is it, and how often is it paid?
• What exactly does it cover?
• Are water, garbage collection or parking billed separately?
• Can it change, and how will you be told?

An apartment advertised at KSh 50,000 a month with a separate service charge will cost you more than KSh 50,000. Compare houses on the total monthly cost, not the advertised rent alone.

7. Verify the payment recipient

Before transferring money, confirm the recipient's name and their M-Pesa, Paybill or bank details. If an agent or property manager is collecting the deposit for the landlord, ask for confirmation of that arrangement.

Use the payment reference to show the house and whether the money is rent, deposit or another fee. Use a traceable payment method, keep the confirmation and ask for a written receipt.

Warning: Never share your M-Pesa PIN or one-time codes. They're not needed to receive a genuine rental payment. If payment instructions change unexpectedly, pause and confirm the new details independently.

8. Check utilities and the condition of the house

Ask whether electricity is on a prepaid token meter or billed separately, and how water is charged. Ask whether the building has water rationing, drainage problems or frequent power cuts.

Test the taps, toilets, showers, sinks, sockets, doors and windows. Take dated photos of existing defects, including furniture and appliances in a furnished unit, and share them with the landlord or property manager. Keep copies, along with any written acknowledgement.

9. Check the neighbourhood and building arrangements

A house that suits you at midday can feel different at night or in rush-hour traffic. If you can, visit at different times and consider:

• Access roads, matatu routes and drainage.
• Security arrangements and street lighting.
• Noise and neighbouring activities.
• Parking and visitor access.
• How close you are to work, schools and shops.

In an apartment block, also ask about garbage collection, lift maintenance, shared facilities and any building rules that could affect your household.

10. Keep a record of everything

Before moving in, keep copies of:

• The signed tenancy agreement.
• Deposit and rent receipts, and payment confirmations.
• The listing or agreed description of the house.
• Photos of the house's condition.
• Written confirmation of any special arrangements.

Keep them where you can find them throughout the tenancy. If there's a disagreement over payments, repairs or your deposit, they can help show what was agreed and what happened.