Skip to main content

What is a Rent Tribunal in Kenya?

A rent tribunal is a quasi-judicial body in Kenya that resolves disputes between landlords and tenants — such as rent increases, deposits, evictions, and repairs — without going to court. Residential controlled tenancies fall under the Rent Restriction Tribunal; commercial premises fall under the Business Premises Rent Tribunal.

What a rent tribunal handles

Typical matters include disputed rent increases, withheld or unreturned deposits, unlawful eviction or lockout, and disagreements over repairs and standards. The tribunal offers a faster, lower-cost route than ordinary courts.

Which tribunal applies

Residential tenancies that fall within rent-control thresholds are handled by the Rent Restriction Tribunal; business/commercial tenancies go to the Business Premises Rent Tribunal. For how to file and what to expect, see the Rent Tribunal Kenya guide.

Frequently asked

It resolves landlord–tenant disputes — rent increases, deposits, evictions, lockouts, and repairs — as a faster, cheaper alternative to going to court.

Residential controlled tenancies are handled by the Rent Restriction Tribunal; commercial premises are handled by the Business Premises Rent Tribunal.