Ask Keja
Sasa! I am Keja, your house hunting buddy.
Here are my answers to the questions people ask most. Can't find yours? Ask me in the chat: I can also search live homes for you.
Renting
How do I find a house to rent?
Tell me the area, your budget and how many bedrooms, like "2 bedroom in Ruaka under 30k", and I will show you what is listed. You can also browse all rentals and filter by area, price and type.
Read more: How do I find a house to rent?
How do I contact the owner or agent?
Open the listing and tap WhatsApp, Call or Send enquiry. You talk to the owner or agent directly. Keja's golden rule: no viewing, no paying.
Read more: How do I contact the owner or agent?
Can I deal directly with the owner?
Yes. Listings from property owners carry an Owner letting or Owner selling badge, and you can filter any search to Direct from owner. The badge shows the account type, it is not an ownership check, so still confirm who owns the property before paying.
Read more: Can I deal directly with the owner?
Can I get alerts for new homes?
Yes. Sign in, run a search and tap Save this search. You can switch on alerts for it in your dashboard.
Read more: Can I get alerts for new homes?
How do I save a home I like?
Tap the heart on any listing. Your saved homes are on the Saved page, and if you sign in they stay with your account on any device.
Read more: How do I save a home I like?
What is Find me a home?
Tell us what you want, where and your budget, and owners and agents with a match can reach you. It is free.
Read more: What is Find me a home?
What is a bedsitter?
A bedsitter is one room that serves as bedroom and sitting room, usually with its own small kitchen area and bathroom. A single room is usually just the room, often with shared facilities. A studio is like a bedsitter, often a little bigger and more modern.
Read more: What is a bedsitter?
Do you have student housing?
Yes. Search Student housing for single rooms, bedsitters and studios, then add the area near your campus.
Read more: Do you have student housing?
What should I check before paying rent?
Five checks: 1. View the house in person. 2. Meet the owner or agent face to face. 3. Confirm who owns or manages the property. 4. Check water, power, security and the area at night. 5. Get a written agreement and a receipt for every payment.
Read more: What should I check before paying rent?
How much deposit should I pay?
Deposits are set by each landlord, so agree the amount and the refund terms in writing before you pay. Pay only after viewing, and always get a receipt.
Read more: How much deposit should I pay?Buying
How do I buy a home in Kenya?
Search homes for sale, view the property, and before paying anything do an official search on the title and hire an advocate to handle the sale agreement and transfer.
Read more: How do I buy a home in Kenya?
Do you offer mortgages or loans?
Kenya Home Search does not offer loans or mortgages. Speak to a bank or lender you trust. Some sellers and developers offer payment plans: ask them directly from the listing.
Read more: Do you offer mortgages or loans?Land
How do I buy land safely?
Visit the plot, do an official search on the title at the lands registry, confirm the seller is the registered owner, check the boundaries, and use an advocate for the sale agreement. Never pay before these checks.
Read more: How do I buy land safely?
Can I see a plot's boundary?
Many land listings show the plot boundary on a satellite map. It is indicative, not a survey, so confirm beacons and boundaries on the ground with a surveyor.
Read more: Can I see a plot's boundary?
How do I sell my land?
List your land free with photos and the plot boundary on a satellite map. Buyers contact you directly.
Read more: How do I sell my land?Safety and scams
How do I avoid property scams?
Keja's golden rule: no viewing, no paying. Never pay a booking or viewing fee, view in person, meet the owner or agent, confirm who owns the property, and get receipts. If someone pushes you to pay first, stop and talk to us.
Read more: How do I avoid property scams?
How do I report a suspicious listing?
Send the listing link to our team on WhatsApp 0183 426 339 or through the contact page. We look into every report.
Read more: How do I report a suspicious listing?
What does the Verified badge mean?
Verified means we completed ID or owner checks for that lister or listing. It is not legal advice: buyers should still do an official search and use an advocate.
Read more: What does the Verified badge mean?
Are the listings checked?
Every listing is reviewed before it goes live, and some carry a Verified badge after ID or owner checks. A badge is not legal advice: always view the property in person, and when buying, do an official search and use an advocate.
Read more: Are the listings checked?Kenyans abroad
I live abroad. How can I buy safely?
Our diaspora pages show listings with guide prices in your currency, video walkthroughs and 360 tours. Ask for a live video viewing, and always use an advocate in Kenya and do an official search before you pay.
Read more: I live abroad. How can I buy safely?
Can I view a property remotely?
Many listings have HD video walkthroughs and 360 virtual tours. You can also ask the owner or agent for a live video viewing. For buying, still send someone you trust or an advocate before paying.
Read more: Can I view a property remotely?Listing a property
How do I list my property?
Listing is free. Create an account, add photos (and video or a 360 tour if you have them), and send it for review. Every listing is reviewed before it goes live, and buyers and tenants contact you directly.
Read more: How do I list my property?
How much does it cost to list?
A basic listing is free. Optional packages and boosts help your listing stand out, and you can see current prices on our pricing page.
Read more: How much does it cost to list?
Is there a free trial for listers?
Yes, our founding offer: free premium for up to 60 days for agents, developers and land companies, and 30 days for property owners and landlords. After that, keep the free basic listing or choose a package.
Read more: Is there a free trial for listers?
I am a landlord with vacant units. How can you help?
List your units free with photos and video, and tenants contact you directly on WhatsApp, phone or email. No commission.
Read more: I am a landlord with vacant units. How can you help?
How do I sell my house?
List it free with photos, video walkthrough and a 360 tour if you have one. Buyers in Kenya and abroad contact you directly.
Read more: How do I sell my house?
Where do I see enquiries for my listings?
Open your dashboard: the enquiries inbox shows every lead, with one-tap WhatsApp reply, plus views and leads for each listing.
Read more: Where do I see enquiries for my listings?
How do I mark a listing sold or let?
Open My listings in your dashboard and choose Mark as sold or Mark as let. The listing stays online with a ribbon and adds to your track record.
Read more: How do I mark a listing sold or let?
Can I add a video or a 360 tour?
Yes. Listings can include photos, HD video walkthroughs and 360 virtual tours. Homes with video and good photos usually get more attention.
Read more: Can I add a video or a 360 tour?Design
Where can I find design ideas for my home?
Kenya Home Search Design has ideas for every room from Kenyan interior designers, architects and makers. You can contact them directly from their page.
Read more: Where can I find design ideas for my home?
I am a designer or architect. How do I join?
It is free. Create an account, choose Interior designer, architect or maker, and add your first space. It is reviewed before it goes live.
Read more: I am a designer or architect. How do I join?
What is a Design concept?
Design concepts come from Kenya Home Search Studio: illustrations to help you picture a space. They are always labelled Design concept and are not finished real homes.
Read more: What is a Design concept?Your account
How do I create an account?
Sign up in one tap with Google, or with your email and a password. It is free for home seekers and listers.
Read more: How do I create an account?
I forgot my password
On the sign in page, tap Forgot password and we will email you a reset link. If you signed up with Google, just use Continue with Google. Still stuck? WhatsApp our team.
Read more: I forgot my passwordAbout Kenya Home Search
What is Kenya Home Search?
Kenya Home Search is an online property platform for Kenya: houses, apartments, bedsitters, land and commercial space to rent or buy, for people in Kenya and Kenyans abroad. You contact owners and agents directly, with no middleman and no commission.
Read more: What is Kenya Home Search?
Do you charge commission?
No. Kenya Home Search never takes a commission on a sale or rent, and we do not act as a broker. You deal with the owner or agent directly.
Read more: Do you charge commission?
Is it free to search and contact owners?
Yes. Searching homes and contacting owners and agents on Kenya Home Search is free.
Read more: Is it free to search and contact owners?
How do I contact Kenya Home Search?
Call or WhatsApp our team on 0183 426 339, or email enquiries@kenyahomesearch.com. We are based in Nairobi and serve all of Kenya.
Read more: How do I contact Kenya Home Search?
Do you handle rent, deposits or payments?
No. We do not handle rent, deposits, purchase payments, title transfers or legal work. You agree and pay directly with the owner or agent, and only after you have viewed the property.
Read more: Do you handle rent, deposits or payments?
How can I work with Kenya Home Search?
Our partners and field agents work fully remote with flexible hours, commission based, with no joining fee. Apply on the Work with us page and our team explains the terms privately.
Read more: How can I work with Kenya Home Search?About Keja
Who is Keja?
Keja is the Kenya Home Search guide: a little house with a big job. Keja finds homes listed by owners and agents, answers your questions and reminds everyone of the golden rule: no viewing, no paying.
Read more: Who is Keja?
What can Keja help me with?
I can find homes to rent or buy (try "2 bedroom in Kilimani under 50k"), help you avoid scams, explain how buying land works, show owners how to list free, and point you to design ideas for your new home. For anything else, our team is on WhatsApp.
Read more: What can Keja help me with?Keja is a guide. Listings are published by owners and agents, and Kenya Home Search does not handle payments or legal work. Questions? WhatsApp 0183 426 339.