Which law protects you as a tenant renting a home?
The Land Act, No. 6 of 2012, Rent Restriction Act · sources read 5 Oct 2026
It depends on the rent. If your home's standard rent is KSh 2,500 a month or less, the Rent Restriction Act covers you and disputes go to the Rent Restriction Tribunal. Above that, you rely on your tenancy agreement and the Land Act's rules for every lease (notice, landlord and tenant duties, forfeiture), with disputes going to the Environment and Land Court.
- 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 disputes (rent arrears, repairs, service charge, deposit refunds, eviction) to the Rent Restriction Tribunal.
- Other homes: disputes under the Land Act go to the Environment and Land Court or a lower court the law allows to hear them.
- Renting a shop or business space instead of a home? That goes to the Business Premises Rent Tribunal, not the Rent Restriction Tribunal.
Watch out
- A house you get as part of your job (a service tenancy) is not covered by the Rent Restriction Act.
Who this covers
- Rent Restriction Act: tenants of homes with a standard rent of KSh 2,500 a month or less, furnished or unfurnished.
- Land Act: every lease carries legal promises by the landlord, whatever the rent.
- Renting with no written agreement still counts: it is a periodic tenancy under the Land Act.
Official sources (4)
- 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
- Tribunals Frequently Asked Questions tribunals.judiciary.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026