For renters
House hunting in Nairobi
Pick an area and a budget, see what is live today, and contact landlords and agents directly. No commission, and we never charge you to view.
- Contact landlords directly
- No commission
- Listings reviewed
In short
House hunting in Nairobi works best in four steps: set a monthly budget that includes the deposit and utilities, choose areas by your commute, shortlist live listings by area, type and price, and view in person before you pay anything. On Kenya Home Search you contact landlords and agents directly by WhatsApp or phone, with no commission. Never pay a deposit before you have seen the house and confirmed who owns it.
Reviewed by the Kenya Home Search team. General information, not legal or tax advice.
Step by step
How to find a house in Nairobi
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Step 1: Set the full budget
Add the deposit, often one or more months' rent, plus water and electricity deposits and moving costs. Ask each landlord exactly what is due on move-in.
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Step 2: Choose by commute
Pick two or three areas on a route you can live with. Traffic on Thika Road, Mombasa Road and Waiyaki Way shapes daily travel time.
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Step 3: Shortlist online
Filter by area, bedrooms and price below, save homes you like, and check the date each listing went up.
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Step 4: Message before you travel
Confirm the unit is still available, the exact rent and the viewing time. Ask for a short video if you are far away.
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Step 5: View in daylight
Check water pressure, phone signal, security, parking and the access road in the rain. Visit at night once if you can.
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Step 6: Pay only after checks
Meet the landlord or their registered agent, sign a written tenancy agreement and get a receipt for every payment.
By budget and size
Popular searches
By area
Nairobi areas and nearby towns
Live now
Newest rentals in Nairobi
New listings appear here as soon as they are approved. All rentals in Nairobi
At the viewing
Viewing checklist
- Water: how many days a week, and is there a storage tank?
- Electricity: prepaid token meter or shared bill?
- Security: guard, gate, lighting and the walk from the main road
- Phone signal and internet providers in the building
- Parking, and where visitors park
- Who to call for repairs, and how fast they come
- Every cost on move-in, in writing
FAQ
Common questions
General information, reviewed . It is not legal or tax advice: an advocate confirms the steps for your transaction.
Do I have to pay to view a house on Kenya Home Search?
No. Kenya Home Search never charges tenants to search or to view. You contact the landlord or agent directly. If anyone asks you for money before you have seen a house, read our scam guide.
How much deposit do Nairobi landlords ask for?
It varies by landlord. Many ask for one or more months' rent as a deposit, plus water and electricity deposits. Ask for every move-in cost in writing before you commit.
Which Nairobi areas have the cheapest bedsitters?
Prices change with each listing. Use bedsitters under KES 10,000 in Nairobi to see what is live today, then compare areas by commute.
Can someone find a house for me?
Yes. Tell us what you need, with your area and budget, and owners and agents with matching homes contact you directly.
How do I know a listing is real?
Every listing is reviewed before it goes live, and Verified badges show where we checked the lister's documents. Still meet the landlord at the property and never pay before viewing.