Choosing the right property manager protects your rental income, your tenants, and the long-term value of your asset. Here is a structured framework for landlords in Nairobi.
The property management market in Nairobi has expanded rapidly, but so has the variance in quality. A weak manager can quietly cost you months of rent through avoidable voids, poor tenant screening, and deferred maintenance that compounds into structural damage.
Start with regulatory standing. In Kenya, estate agency work is regulated by the Estate Agents Registration Board (EARB) under the Estate Agents Act (Cap. 533). Ask any prospective manager for a current EARB practicing certificate and professional indemnity cover before signing anything.
Look for institutional discipline: written tenancy agreements aligned with the Landlord and Tenant Act, deposits held in a separate client account, and monthly owner statements that reconcile every shilling of rent and expenditure. Ask to see a redacted sample statement.
Test their tenant-screening process. A serious manager verifies ID (with IPRS lookup where available), employment or business income, references, and prior-landlord conduct. This single step is the largest driver of long-term rental performance.
Finally, insist on transparent fees. A reasonable full-management fee in Nairobi is 7%–10% of rent collected, with clear disclosure of any letting fees, renewal fees, and maintenance markups.
- Confirm EARB registration and PI cover in writing
- Require a separate client account for deposits and rent
- Insist on structured tenant screening with documented checks
- Get a full, itemised fee schedule — no hidden markups