Property in Kenya

Property advice & market insights

• Can Landlords Ask for Proof of Income Before Renting You a House? What Kenyan Tenants Need to Know

  Recent reports have highlighted that some Kenyan landlords and property managers are asking prospective tenants for information. In markets such as the UK, tenant referencing has been part of renting for years. A payslip might make it easy to verify one person’s income. It doesn’t necessarily tell you much about someone running a business or earning from several clients. Finding a house may no longer be only about whether you can afford the rent. Increasingly, it could also be about being able to prove that you can. For as long as many of us can remember, finding a rental home has followed a fairly simple process. You have a budget. You search for a property. You find one you like, go for an inspection, agree on the terms and, once everything is settled, s

• Stability or Stagnation? What the CBK’s 8.75% Rate Hold Means for Kenyan Homebuyers

  On August 11, 2026, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) announced that it would keep the Central Bank Rate (CBR) at 8.75%. The Central Bank Rate, or CBR, is the interest rate set by the Central Bank of Kenya to guide the cost of borrowing in the economy. Inflation rose slightly to 6.5% in July from 6.4% in June, but remained within the CBK’s target range of 2.5% to 7.5%. A stable CBR gives potential buyers something valuable: a little more certainty. If you have been thinking about buying a home, taking out a mortgage or even refinancing an existing loan, you may have come across some financial news recently: the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has kept its Central Bank Rate at 8.75%. But what does that actually mean?

• Could Your Mortgage Rate Go Up? What the Latest Court Ruling Means

  On 13 August, the High Court temporarily suspended a requirement under Section 44 of the Banking Act that requires banks to get approval from the National Treasury before increasing interest rates on loans. In simple terms, banks currently have more room to adjust loan rates without first going to the Treasury for approval. Whether your rate can change will still depend on the terms of your mortgage agreement, including whether you have a fixed or variable rate. Don’t assume your mortgage rate is going up. But do understand the terms of your loan and keep an eye on any changes from your bank. You take out a mortgage, agree on an interest rate and work out a monthly repayment you can live with. Then you hear that banks may now be able to increase loan

• The Housing Levy Is Getting Serious. What Happens If You Don’t Pay?

  The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is now stepping up enforcement against those who haven’t paid what they owe. Since its introduction, the levy has also raised plenty of questions about how it works, how the money is being used and what it means for people hoping to access affordable housing. If you’re an employee and your levy is already being deducted from your salary, this doesn’t necessarily mean you suddenly have another payment to make. And with enforcement now becoming more serious, it’s a conversation that’s worth paying attention to. If you’re employed, there’s a good chance the Affordable Housing Levy is something you notice on your payslip every month. You probably see the deduction, wonder where the money is going, and

• The Dual Impact of the Housing Levy in Kenya

  The topic on the Housing Levy has remained a hot one since the beginning of last year, dominating conversations across Kenya. As part of one of his agenda, H.E., President William Ruto announced his proposal of the housing levy where every employed Kenyan would be mandated to contribute 1.5% of their monthly salary . READ ALSO : Understanding the National Housing Development Fund Kenya However, amid the country’s soaring cost of living, the levy met strong resistance due to its potential impact—further reducing incomes already burdened by escalated taxes and high living expenses. He clarified that beyond addressing affordable housing, his vision aimed to generate employment opportunities