Most rental listings in Kenya are terrible. Blurry photos taken with a flash on, descriptions that say "spacious 2-bedroom" and nothing else, and prices that make no sense for the area. It is no wonder landlords struggle to fill vacancies quickly.
If you own rental property and want quality tenants who pay on time and take care of the place, your listing is where that relationship starts. Here is how to do it properly.
Take better photos (you do not need a professional)
Your phone camera is good enough if you use it correctly. The single most important thing is natural light. Open all the curtains, turn on all the lights, and shoot during the day. Never use flash. It makes every room look like a hospital corridor.
- Shoot from the corners. Stand in the doorway or corner of each room and angle your phone to capture the widest view. This makes rooms look their actual size instead of cramped.
- Include the kitchen and bathroom. These are the rooms renters care about most after the bedroom. A clean, well-lit kitchen photo can close a deal.
- Show the view. If the apartment has a decent balcony view, photograph it. If it faces a wall, skip it. Honesty builds trust.
- Clean first. This sounds obvious, but countless listings feature unmade beds, dirty dishes, and cluttered counters. Spend 30 minutes tidying before you start shooting.
Listings with 8 or more photos get significantly more inquiries than those with 3 or fewer. More photos signal transparency and reduce back-and-forth questions.
Write a description that actually helps
Forget flowery language. Tenants want facts. A good listing description should answer the questions a renter would ask during a visit, so they can decide if it is worth visiting in person.
Cover these points in your description:
- Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and whether there is a separate kitchen or open-plan layout.
- Floor level (ground, first, penthouse) and whether there is a lift.
- Parking: how many spots, covered or open.
- Water supply: is there a borehole, water tanks, or are you on mains only?
- Security: guards, CCTV, controlled access?
- What is included in the rent and what is not (service charge, water, garbage).
- Pet policy: yes, no, or negotiable.
Be specific. "Near the CBD" could mean Westlands or Githurai depending on who is reading. Name the neighborhood, the estate, and if possible, the nearest landmark.
Price it right from day one
Overpricing is the number one reason apartments sit empty for months. An empty unit costs you money every single day it is vacant: mortgage payments, security, maintenance, and lost rental income.
Research what similar units in your area are going for. Browse listings on tuzama for your neighborhood and check what other landlords are charging for comparable properties. If your rent is 20% above the market rate, you will not get inquiries no matter how good your photos are.
It is better to price slightly below market and fill the unit in two weeks than to hold out for above-market rent and lose two months of income.
Agents vs. listing directly
Traditional agents charge the tenant a visit fee and sometimes a full month's commission from the landlord. This adds friction. Many good tenants will not even contact an agent because they do not want to pay KSh 500 to KSh 1,000 per visit with no guarantee of getting the place.
Listing directly on a platform like tuzama removes that barrier. Tenants can contact you, ask questions, and arrange visits without paying a middleman. You get more inquiries, faster turnaround, and you stay in control of who sees the property.
Responding to inquiries
Speed matters. If a tenant sends a message at 10 AM and you reply at 6 PM, they have probably already booked a visit somewhere else. Respond within an hour if possible, even if it is just to say "Thanks for your interest, I can arrange a visit this Saturday at 10 AM."
Be polite and professional. Answer questions directly. If they ask about water supply and you dodge the question, they will assume the worst.
Screening tenants the right way
Once you have interested tenants, do your own due diligence. Ask for a copy of their ID, proof of income (a recent payslip or bank statement), and a reference from a previous landlord if available.
Trust your instincts during the visit. A tenant who asks thoughtful questions about maintenance, lease terms, and utility arrangements is usually more reliable than one who says "I'll take it" without reading the lease.
A good listing attracts good tenants. If you invest 30 minutes in quality photos, an honest description, and competitive pricing, you will save yourself weeks of vacancy and years of tenant headaches.
