How to Avoid House-Hunting Scams in Kenya (2026)
Updated 2026-10-13
Fake agents, viewing fees and deposit scams on TikTok and Facebook — the warning signs and a simple checklist to rent safely in Nairobi, Mombasa and beyond.
The most common scams
- Fake listings: photos copied from other sites, advertised at a rent far below the area's usual price to get quick calls.
- Deposit-first scams: the 'agent' asks you to send a deposit or booking fee by M-Pesa before you have seen the house, then disappears.
- Viewing fees: some brokers charge just to show you a house, sometimes for houses that are already taken or don't exist.
- Impersonation: someone claims to be the landlord or caretaker but has no right to rent the property.
Warning signs
- Rent that is much lower than similar homes in the same estate.
- Pressure to pay today because 'many people want it'.
- Refusal to meet at the property, or excuses why you can't see inside.
- Payment requested to a personal number that doesn't match the name of the landlord or agency.
A safe renting checklist
- Never pay a deposit or rent before seeing the house in person.
- Check that the M-Pesa name matches the landlord or a registered agency.
- Ask for a written tenancy agreement before paying anything.
- Ask neighbours or the caretaker who owns the building.
- Ask about water supply, electricity tokens, deposit refunds and service charges before committing.
How Nyumbani Prime helps
- Every landlord, agency, broker, mover and maintenance provider passes ID and selfie verification before publishing.
- Booking a viewing on Nyumbani Prime is free — there are no viewing fees.
- Every listing shows the full monthly cost: rent plus water, garbage, service charge and other fees.
- You can report a suspicious listing in one tap and our team reviews it.
