Most house hunters budget for the first month's rent and stop there. Then the landlord asks for a deposit, the caretaker mentions a water deposit, and the mover quotes more than expected. This guide breaks down the real move in cost in Nairobi and its commuter towns. It uses actual ISHI Homes listing figures, not guesses.
All rent figures below come from ISHI Homes listings as of 25 Oct 2026. Some figures come from only a few listings, so treat them as a guide, not a fixed price.
What you pay before you get the keys
Most landlords ask for two things up front:
- First month's rent - the rent for the month you move in.
- Rent deposit - money the landlord holds in case you leave damage or unpaid bills. You should get it back when you move out, minus any fair deductions.
On most ISHI Homes listings, the deposit is one month's rent. So the starting point is usually rent x 2.
But not always. In the Kilimani listings, the typical rent plus deposit was three times the monthly rent. That suggests a two-month deposit. Always ask the landlord exactly how many months they want.
The move in cost Nairobi renters forget: hidden charges
On top of rent and deposit, you may be asked for some of these. Amounts vary a lot, so ask for each one in writing before you agree.
| Charge | What it is | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Water deposit | Money held against your water bill | Is it refundable? How much? |
| Electricity | Token meter or a postpaid account | Is there a token meter? Any units left? Any deposit? |
| Service charge | Monthly fee for cleaning, security, lights in shared areas | Is it included in rent or extra? |
| Garbage collection | Monthly fee for rubbish | Who collects and how much? |
| Agent fee | Paid to some agents for finding you a house | Is there a fee? Who pays it - you or the landlord? |
| Viewing fee | Some agents charge just to show houses | Avoid if you can. Never pay for a house you have not seen. |
| Painting or repairs | Some landlords charge new tenants | Is the house already painted and repaired? |
| Moving | Lorry, pick-up or handcart, plus loaders | Get two or three quotes |
| New locks | Changing locks for your safety | Will the landlord change them? |
| Internet installation | Setup or router cost | Which providers already serve the building? |
Tip: ask the landlord or agent for a full list of everything you must pay before moving in. A good landlord will give it without fuss.
Worked example: bedsitter
A bedsitter is a single room with a small kitchen area and its own bathroom.
All areas on ISHI Homes: median rent KES 8,500 a month (8 listings, as of 25 Oct 2026).
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| First month's rent | KES 8,500 |
| Deposit (one month) | KES 8,500 |
| Rent plus deposit | KES 17,000 |
| Water deposit, electricity, service charge | Ask the landlord |
| Moving | Get quotes |
How it changes by area:
| Area | Median rent | Rent plus deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Toll (Ruiru) | KES 7,750 | KES 15,500 |
| Kahawa Wendani | KES 8,500 | KES 17,000 |
| Kahawa Sukari | KES 10,000 | KES 20,000 |
| Roysambu | KES 12,000 | KES 24,000 |
So a bedsitter in Roysambu may need about KES 8,500 more up front than one in Toll, before any extra charges.
Worked example: 1 bedroom apartment
All areas on ISHI Homes: median rent KES 15,750 a month (8 listings, as of 25 Oct 2026).
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| First month's rent | KES 15,750 |
| Deposit (one month) | KES 15,750 |
| Rent plus deposit | KES 31,500 |
| Water deposit, electricity, service charge | Ask the landlord |
| Moving | Get quotes |
| Area | Median rent | Rent plus deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Toll (Ruiru) | KES 12,500 | KES 25,000 |
| Kahawa Wendani | KES 13,250 | KES 26,500 |
| Kahawa Sukari | KES 15,750 | KES 31,500 |
| Roysambu | KES 18,250 | KES 36,500 |
Worked example: 2 bedroom apartment
All areas on ISHI Homes: median rent KES 28,000 a month (10 listings, as of 25 Oct 2026).
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| First month's rent | KES 28,000 |
| Deposit (one month) | KES 28,000 |
| Rent plus deposit | KES 56,000 |
| Water deposit, electricity, service charge | Ask the landlord |
| Moving | Get quotes |
| Area | Median rent | Rent plus deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Toll (Ruiru) | KES 21,250 | KES 42,500 |
| Kahawa Sukari | KES 25,000 | KES 50,000 |
| Roysambu | KES 30,000 | KES 60,000 |
| Kilimani | KES 71,500 | KES 214,500 |
Look at Kilimani. The rent is KES 71,500, but the typical move-in total is KES 214,500 - three months of rent at once. Where landlords ask for a bigger deposit, your up-front cost jumps fast.
How to build your own budget
- Start with rent x 2. Then ask if the deposit is one month or more.
- Add every extra charge. Get the list from the landlord in writing.
- Add moving costs. Get more than one quote.
- Add first-week basics. Gas, cleaning items, food, curtains, a few bulbs.
- Keep some money aside. Small surprises always come up on moving day.
Protect your deposit from day one
- Get a tenancy agreement (the written contract between you and the landlord) and read it before signing.
- Get a receipt for every payment, including M-Pesa payments.
- On move-in day, take photos and videos of walls, floors, taps, sockets and doors. Share them with the landlord or caretaker.
- Ask how and when the deposit is returned when you leave, and get the answer in writing.
Before you pay anything
- Never pay before viewing. Not a deposit, not a booking fee, not a viewing fee for a house you have not seen.
- View the house in person. Photos can hide problems like damp, no water or a bad road. Check the house, meet the caretaker and confirm who the landlord is.
- Find verified houses on ISHI Homes at homes.ishi.digital, with real rent and move-in figures so you can plan before you go.
