Staying safe when renting or buying

Common scams

• Viewing fees. Someone asks for money by M-Pesa before you can see the house. Genuine agents don’t need this.
• Too-good prices. A Kilimani two-bedroom at a bedsitter price is almost always fake.
• “I’m out of the country.” The “owner” can’t meet you and asks for a deposit to post the keys.
• Copied photos. The same photos appear on several listings in different areas.

Before paying a deposit

• View the property in person, or send someone you trust.
• Ask for the owner’s name and check it against the title deed or a recent rates or utility bill.
• For agents, ask for their Estate Agents Registration Board (EARB) number and check it.
• Get a written tenancy agreement or sale agreement before paying. For purchases, use an advocate and do a land search.
• Pay to a named account linked to the owner or a registered agency — not a personal number you can’t verify.

What our badges mean

We show a badge only when we have completed that exact check — for example, confirming a phone number by SMS, or reviewing an identity document. Listings without badges are not necessarily fraudulent, but take extra care.

Report it

Use “Report this listing” on any property page. Scam reports are reviewed first. If you have lost money, also report to the police and to your mobile money provider immediately.