Do you feel like it’s the right time to rent a house? Whether you are moving out, relocating for better job opportunities, or educational pursuits, among other situations, renting a house in Kenya offers many benefits. Unlike buying, you won’t need sizeable upfront financial commitment or incur significant maintenance costs. Additional benefits such as access to amenities, flexibility as you can choose a location and scale up or down with ease, no property taxes, to mention a few, makes renting an intelligent move. Nonetheless, renting a house has its share of challenges, especially if you aren’t well-versed with the dynamic real estate market. Here are a few things to know about rental houses in Kenya for a better experience.
It’s an extensive market
Studio apartments, single and multi-family units, townhouses, condos; mention it, and the market has what you need. While house hunting, your budget could be the primary checkpoint. Your budget is crucial, but expanding your checklist is essential since the extensive market offers a lot. For example, the prices of a single-family house like a 1-bedroom could significantly vary. In some regions, rent could be higher than a multi-family unit in a different area and location, as cheap as a bedsitter.
Apart from location, the house’s condition and size also impact the rent. Modern, well-maintained houses are attractive and offer many amenities, automatically fetching a higher rent. The bottom line; do your research, ensuring you understand the landscape in your target destination. Online resources make the research process more accessible. For instance, you can compare houses for rent in Ruaka and its neighboring estates, giving you an idea of the costs and the available amenities.
Your rights and responsibilities
Just because you are paying rent doesn’t mean you own the house. Tenants have the right to access and use the property but to a certain extent. For instance, you can’t remodel the house unless the agreement includes it. Get used to that paint, or consider wallpaper. What’s more, it is your responsibility to maintain the property in good shape. The landlord is responsible for the general wear and tear maintenance. Other damages resulting from your use are your responsibilities.
While you occupy the house, the landlord has the right to inspect it after providing reasonable notice. It’s also the landlord’s responsibility to ensure access to basic amenities such as water and power connectivity. However, how you use them is up to you. You’ll be charged, either as a part of the rent or as independent utilities. Kenya power connections, for example, give the landlord the flexibility to use multiple meters even in an apartment building. This means you’ll enjoy the connection, but you are responsible for the power bill in your house. Understanding your rights and responsibilities makes the rental experience smooth. You won’t be frustrated by things you can’t change or incur costs that the property owner should.
Finding a house
Finding a rental house in Kenya, while relatively straightforward, is also a tricky field. There are lots of canny operators who take advantage of unsuspecting tenants. The trick is to ensure you work with reliable and reputable agents or landlords, not anyone posing as a property owner or knows the right people. The online world, such as Hauzisha, social media groups, and pages, makes it easier to find vacant houses. A good strategy is to start your search early, giving you the flexibility to research, compare, and inspect many houses before making the final pick.
Rental agreements
A crucial part of any rental agreement is a detailed contract. Whether you are looking for a low, medium, or high-end house for rent, never start a lease with word of mouth. Crafty landlords can cause you untold trouble, frustrating your stay and leading to significant financial losses, not to mention emotional trauma. The contract is as important as the house you pick, if not more. It protects you from unscrupulous operators preying on tenants who don’t know their rights.
Finding and renting the right house in Kenya, either as solo, with friends, or as a family, isn’t overwhelming if you know where to look and what to consider. You are a step closer to finding a dream house and enjoying a great rental experience with the above pointers.
