1. Set your budget first
Work out what you can pay every month, not just what you can afford to move in. Most landlords ask for the first month's rent and a refundable deposit up front, and some also ask for a separate water or electricity deposit. Add the cost of moving, and keep a little aside for the first utility bills.
2. Choose the area before the house
The same budget gets you very different homes in different neighbourhoods. Before you shortlist houses, decide on the areas that work for you:
- How long is the commute to work or school at rush hour?
- Is there reliable water supply, or do residents depend on boreholes and water bowsers?
- How is security at night, and is the estate gated or guarded?
- Are shops, a hospital and public transport within reach?
3. Shortlist listings you can verify
Start with listings that show real photos, a clear price and the exact area. On NestGrid, listings marked Verified are linked to a property that a landlord manages on the platform. Be cautious with listings that only show stock photos or avoid naming the location.
4. What to check at a viewing
- Open the taps and flush the toilet to check water pressure.
- Switch on lights and sockets, and ask whether electricity is prepaid (tokens) or postpaid.
- Look for damp, cracks and leaks on ceilings, especially in bathrooms.
- Check door and window locks, and burglar-proofing on ground floors.
- Ask who handles repairs and how quickly they usually respond.
- Talk to a neighbour if you can. They will tell you about water, noise and security.
5. Confirm before you pay
Never pay a deposit before you have viewed the house in person and met the landlord or caretaker. Ask for a written tenancy agreement that states the rent, the deposit, the notice period and what the deposit can be deducted for. Pay through a traceable channel such as the property's M-Pesa paybill, and keep every receipt.
6. Moving in
Walk through the house with the landlord or caretaker on move-in day and note any existing damage, ideally with dated photos. This protects your deposit when you move out.