Quick Answer
Rental disputes go to specialist tribunals: the Rent Restriction Tribunal for controlled residential tenancies, the Business Premises Rent Tribunal for commercial ones, and the Environment and Land Court or magistrates’ courts for matters outside their scope. Free legal aid is available.
Key facts
- The Rent Restriction Tribunal handles controlled residential disputes.
- The Business Premises Rent Tribunal handles commercial tenancies.
- The Environment and Land Court handles matters outside the tribunals.
- Free legal aid is available from several organisations.
The rent tribunals
Two tribunals handle most rental disputes cheaply and accessibly:
- Rent Restriction Tribunal (RRT) — controlled residential tenancies: rent assessment, increases, deposit refunds, arrears and illegal evictions;
- Business Premises Rent Tribunal (BPRT) — commercial tenancies (shops, hotels, catering).
The courts
Disputes outside the tribunals’ scope — higher-rent tenancies, title questions, complex evictions — go to the Environment and Land Court or the magistrates’ courts. Filing in the wrong forum wastes time and fees, so identify the right one first.
Getting help
You don’t have to face it alone. Free or low-cost legal aid is available from organisations such as Kituo cha Sheria, the Law Society of Kenya legal aid scheme, and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights for rights violations like forced evictions.
Why this matters to you
A tenant with a genuine grievance — a withheld deposit, an illegal lockout — has accessible, low-cost forums to use. Knowing which one, and that free help exists, makes justice reachable.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I take a residential rent dispute?
Usually the Rent Restriction Tribunal, for controlled tenancies.
What about commercial premises?
The Business Premises Rent Tribunal.
Can I get free legal help?
Yes — from bodies like Kituo cha Sheria and the Law Society of Kenya.
Sources & references
- Rent Restriction Act (Cap 296); Landlord and Tenant (Shops, Hotels and Catering Establishments) Act (Cap 301) — kenyalaw.org
- The Judiciary of Kenya — judiciary.go.ke