In Mombasa, tenants like Esther are facing a growing issue with landlords withholding rental deposits. Esther, a resident of the coastal city, recently ended her contract at a local company and moved out of her Nyali apartment. She had paid three months’ rent upfront plus a KSh 20,000 deposit when she first moved in.
Her stay was uneventful. She paid rent on time, kept the place clean, and left it in excellent shape. But when she asked for her deposit back, the landlord, Mr Mwangi, refused. He claimed he needed another inspection. That was the start of her troubles.
Weeks passed, then months. Esther sent messages and visited him several times. Each time, he gave excuses. She soon learned she wasn’t alone. Other neighbours in the building shared similar stories of unpaid deposits. Some had waited over a year without luck.
This problem isn’t new in Mombasa’s rental market. Many tenants struggle to recover deposits due to vague claims of damages or cleaning fees. Local laws require landlords to return deposits within 14 days if the property is intact, but enforcement is weak. Advocacy groups urge affected renters to document everything and seek help from the Rent Restriction Tribunal. Continue reading https://drbokko.com/?p=37223
