Can your landlord cut your water or lock you out to make you leave?
The Land Act, No. 6 of 2012, Rent Restriction Act · sources read 5 Oct 2026
No. For homes under the Rent Restriction Act (standard rent of KSh 2,500 a month or less), cutting off your water, light or other services without the tribunal's consent, evicting you without its authority, or harassing you to leave are offences, each punishable by a fine of up to KSh 6,000, up to 6 months in jail, or both. Under the Land Act, every tenant who pays rent and keeps the lease terms is entitled to live there in peace without interruption from the landlord.
- Where
- Rent Restriction Tribunal, Crescent House, Moktar Daddah Street, Nairobi (homes at KSh 2,500 a month or less); Environment and Land Court for other homes
Steps
- Homes at KSh 2,500 a month or less: take the dispute (including eviction) to the Rent Restriction Tribunal.
- Any tenant evicted against the terms of the lease can take the landlord to court for remedies.
- Land Act disputes are heard by the Environment and Land Court or a lower court the law allows to hear them.
Watch out
- The ban on cutting water, light or other services also covers anyone else acting without lawful authority, not just the landlord.
- Agents and workers of the landlord (such as a caretaker) commit the same offence if they evict you without the tribunal's authority or harass you to leave or pay more.
- If you are evicted from all or part of the house against the lease terms, you stop owing rent for the part you were evicted from.
Who this covers
- The criminal offences apply to homes with a standard rent of KSh 2,500 a month or less.
- The right to live in peace applies to every lease, as long as you pay rent and keep the lease terms.
Official sources (3)
- Land Act (Cap. 280, No. 6 of 2012), version of 4 November 2025 new.kenyalaw.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Rent Restriction Act (Cap. 296) new.kenyalaw.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Judiciary Tribunals (Rent Restriction Tribunal page) tribunals.judiciary.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026