Take a landlord–tenant dispute to the Rent Tribunal (BPRT or RRT)
The Judiciary of Kenya · sources read 30 Sep 2026
For a dispute over a shop, hotel or other business premises, file a Reference (Form C) with the Business Premises Rent Tribunal. For a home, go to the Rent Restriction Tribunal. File online on the Judiciary e-filing portal under the Tribunals tab; you don't need a lawyer.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- How long
- BPRT cases take up to 180 days
- Where
- Online on the Judiciary e-filing portal (efiling.court.go.ke, Tribunals tab). BPRT office: Kenya Re Towers, Upper Hill, Ground Floor, Nairobi. RRT office: Crescent House, Moktar Daddah Street, Nairobi.
What you need
- A Reference (Form C) setting out your complaint (BPRT)
- A written application (usually a Notice of Motion) with the names and addresses of landlord and tenant, the orders you want and your grounds
- A supporting affidavit sworn by the tenant or landlord (a director or other authorised official for a company)
Steps
- Pick the right tribunal: business premises go to the BPRT, homes go to the Rent Restriction Tribunal.
- Log in to the Judiciary e-filing portal (efiling.court.go.ke) and file under the Tribunals tab.
- At the BPRT, file a Reference (Form C) with your application and supporting affidavit.
- The tribunal may give interim orders to keep things as they are until the case is heard and decided.
Watch out
- You don't need a lawyer. You can represent yourself or use an advocate.
- Filing fees depend on the type of case. The e-filing portal shows the amount before you pay.
- Unhappy with the decision? Appeal to the Environment and Land Court within 30 days.
Who can apply
- Either the landlord or the tenant can file.
- BPRT: disputes over a controlled tenancy of business premises (shops, hotels, catering and other commercial space).
- A tenancy is 'controlled' if there is no written lease, or the written lease is for 5 years or less.
- RRT: disputes over homes (dwelling houses) with a standard rent of up to KSh 2,500.
- RRT cases include rent arrears, deposit refunds, repairs, service charge and eviction.
Official sources (2)
- Tribunals Frequently Asked Questions tribunals.judiciary.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Judiciary Tribunals (BPRT and Rent Restriction Tribunal pages, FAQs) tribunals.judiciary.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026