Many house hunters in Kenya lose money to fake agents. Someone posts a nice house online, asks for a deposit or a "booking fee", then disappears. This guide shows you how to verify an estate agent in Kenya in a few simple steps, and what an agent's registration does and does not prove.

The money at stake is real. As of 25 Oct 2026, the typical move-in cost (first month's rent plus deposit) for a 1 bedroom apartment on ISHI Homes was KES 31,500, and for a 2 bedroom apartment it was KES 56,000. That is a lot to lose to a stranger on WhatsApp.

Who regulates estate agents in Kenya

Estate agents in Kenya are regulated by the Estate Agents Registration Board (EARB). This is the government body set up under the Estate Agents Act. Its job is to register qualified estate agents and keep a list (a "register") of those allowed to practise.

A calendar with one day marked, and a clock

A registered agent should be able to give you their name and registration details. A real professional will not be offended when you check.

Note: many people who show rental houses are caretakers, landlords' relatives or informal "brokers". They may not be registered at all. That does not always mean they are crooks, but it means you must be extra careful.

Step 1: Get the agent's full details

Before you talk about money, ask for:

Two apartment blocks with lit windows
  • Full name (as on their ID)
  • Company name, if they work for an agency
  • EARB registration number or certificate
  • Office address you can visit
  • A phone number and email for the office, not just a personal number

If they refuse, give excuses, or get angry, treat it as a warning sign.

Step 2: Check the EARB register

This is the most important step to verify an estate agent in Kenya.

  • Use the official EARB website. Look for the list of registered estate agents. Search for the person's name and the company name.
  • Check the Kenya Gazette. The board publishes the list of registered agents in the Kenya Gazette, the government's official notice paper.
  • Match the details exactly. The name, company and registration number should all match what the agent gave you.
  • Check the year. Registration must be kept current. An old certificate does not mean the agent is allowed to practise today.

Call EARB directly if you are unsure. Get the board's phone number or email from its official website, never from the agent. Ask them to confirm the person is registered.

Be careful with screenshots and photos of certificates. These are easy to fake. Always check the official source yourself.

Step 3: Check the agency as a business

If the agent says they work for a company:

  • Search the company name on the government's business registration service (through eCitizen).
  • Visit the office. A real agency has a real office with staff.
  • Look up the company's own website and social media pages. Call the office number listed there and ask if the agent works for them.
  • Search the agent's name and number online with words like "scam" or "fraud". Others may have posted warnings.

What EARB registration proves, and what it does not

Registration is useful, but it is not a full guarantee.

Registration shows Registration does NOT show
The person is on the official list of estate agents That this agent manages the house you want
They met the board's requirements to practise That the house exists or is vacant
You can report them to the board if they misbehave That the person you are chatting with is the real registered agent
That the rent and terms are fair

Scammers sometimes copy the name and number of a real registered agent. So even after checking the register, you still need Step 4.

Step 4: Confirm the agent controls this house

This step catches most scams.

  • View the house in person. Never rent a house you have only seen in photos or videos.
  • Ask how they are linked to the landlord. A real agent can usually show a letter of authority (a signed note from the landlord allowing them to let the house) or a management agreement.
  • Ask to speak to the landlord or the property's caretaker on site.
  • Talk to neighbours or current tenants. Ask who manages the building and who they pay rent to.
  • Check that keys work. If the agent cannot open the house, walk away.

Step 5: Pay safely

  • Pay only after viewing and after you have a written tenancy agreement (the contract between you and the landlord).
  • Pay to a company bank account, a company paybill or till, or the landlord's account in their real name.
  • Avoid sending money to a personal M-Pesa number, especially one with a different name from the agent or landlord.
  • Always get a written receipt showing what you paid and why: rent, deposit, or any other fee.
  • Keep copies of all messages, receipts and the agreement.

Warning signs of a fake agent

  • The rent is much cheaper than similar houses nearby.
  • They push you to pay "today" because "many people want it".
  • They say they are out of town and cannot show the house.
  • They ask for a "booking fee" or "viewing fee" before you see anything.
  • The M-Pesa name does not match the agent or company.
  • They only communicate by WhatsApp or text and avoid calls or meetings.
  • They refuse to give registration or company details.

If you have been scammed

  • Report to the nearest police station and get an OB number (the police reference for your report).
  • Report the agent to EARB if they claimed to be registered.
  • Contact your mobile money provider quickly. Sometimes a transaction can be reviewed if you act fast.
  • Warn others by reporting the listing to the site where you found it.

Before you pay anything

  • Never pay before viewing. No deposit, booking fee or rent until you have seen the house.
  • View the house in person. Go yourself or send someone you trust, and confirm who really manages it.
  • Use a trusted platform. Find verified houses on ISHI Homes, where you can browse rentals across Nairobi and its commuter towns with more confidence.