Tenancy Agreement Template (Kenya)
Straightforward tenancy agreement template you can use to let a residential or commercial property in Kenya with clear, law-compliant terms; easily edit and dow
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A Kenya-ready tenancy agreement for any property - customize and download in minutes
A tenancy agreement is the contract a landlord (or property manager) and a tenant sign to put the letting of a property in writing. This template is a standard, plain-English format tailored to Kenyan law and works for any type of property - residential or commercial. It recognizes Kenya's controlled-tenancy protections: residential dwelling houses fall under the Rent Restriction Act (Cap 296) and the Rent Restriction Tribunal, while shops, hotels and catering establishments on short or periodic terms fall under the Landlord and Tenant (Shops, Hotels and Catering Establishments) Act (Cap 301) and the Business Premises Rent Tribunal. The template reflects the statutory notice in the prescribed form, the ban on self-help eviction, stamp duty and, for longer leases, registration.
Just answer a few simple questions — the landlord's and tenant's details, the property, the rent and payment frequency, the term and deposit — and your personalized Kenyan tenancy agreement is generated instantly, ready to download as PDF or Word.
What this tenancy agreement includes
- Clear identification of the Landlord / property manager and the Tenant
- The Property, a residential or commercial type selector, and its permitted use
- A fixed yearly term with start and end dates
- A controlled-tenancy clause explaining when the Rent Restriction Act (Cap 296) or Cap 301 applies, the two-month statutory notice in the prescribed form, and the tenant's right to go to the relevant Tribunal
- The rent, paid monthly or yearly, with a rent record and receipts, and a late-rent fee
- A security deposit (with a months-of-rent guide) and clear rules on deductions and return
- Utilities, rates and outgoings, and a fair split of maintenance and repair responsibilities
- Rules on alterations, assignment and subletting, an insurance clause, and the landlord's right of entry with quiet-enjoyment protection
- A renewal clause (with rent review subject to Tribunal limits where controlled) and a periodic-tenancy fallback
- An ending-the-tenancy clause distinguishing controlled and uncontrolled tenancies, a no self-help / lawful distress rule, a default clause
- A stamp duty and registration clause (Stamp Duty Act, Cap 480; registration under the Land Registration Act where required), a notices clause, and a governing-law clause pointing to the correct Tribunal or the Environment and Land Court
- A signature block for the landlord, tenant and a witness
How to create your tenancy agreement
1. Open the template and click Generate.
2. Answer the guided questions; the parties, the property and use, the rent and frequency, the term, deposit and any special terms.
3. Generate the document; your details are merged into the agreement automatically.
4. Review and download as PDF or Word, then sign before a witness, pay stamp duty, and register the lease if its term requires it.
Who is this tenancy agreement for?
Landlords, property managers and agents letting a home, flat, shop, office or unit anywhere in Kenya, and tenants who want a clear, law-compliant contract that respects controlled-tenancy protections. You choose the property type, and the agreement flags the right statutory regime and Tribunal.
Disclaimer: This template is provided for convenience and general information only and is not legal advice. Kenyan landlord-and-tenant law includes strong controlled-tenancy protections under the Rent Restriction Act (Cap 296) and the Landlord and Tenant (Shops, Hotels and Catering Establishments) Act (Cap 301), and rules on notice, rent, stamp duty and registration can change. For high-value or commercial lettings, or anything you are unsure about, have the final agreement reviewed by a qualified Kenyan advocate before signing.
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What's included
- Professional formatting and layout
- Easy customization with guided questions
- Multiple export formats: pdf, docx
- Clauses aligned with Kenyan controlled-tenancy law (Cap 296 / Cap 301), stamp duty and registration
- Instant download after generation
- Professional formatting and layout
- Easy customization with guided questions
- Multiple export formats: pdf, docx
- Legally reviewed and compliant
- Instant download after generation
What is a controlled tenancy in Kenya, and does it apply to me?
A controlled tenancy is one the law specially protects. A residential dwelling house can fall under the Rent Restriction Act (Cap 296), with disputes going to the Rent Restriction Tribunal. A shop, hotel or catering establishment let on a term of five years or less, or on a periodic basis, is a controlled business tenancy under Cap 301, with disputes going to the Business Premises Rent Tribunal. The template flags these regimes so both sides know which protections apply.
What notice is needed to end or change a controlled tenancy?
For a controlled tenancy, the landlord can only terminate it, or change its terms to the tenant's disadvantage, by serving a tenancy notice in the prescribed statutory form, giving not less than two months' notice. The tenant can challenge that notice before the relevant Tribunal, and the tenancy continues until the matter is resolved. This is stricter than an ordinary contractual notice.
Can I use this for both homes and business premises?
Yes. The template has a property type selector for residential or commercial lettings, and its clauses on use, repairs, insurance, subletting and renewal are written to fit either. It also points residential lettings to the Rent Restriction regime and business premises to Cap 301, so the right statutory protections are recognized.
Can rent be paid monthly or yearly, and can the landlord raise it?
Yes — you choose whether rent is paid per month or per year, and set the amount and due day. On renewal the parties can review the rent, but where the tenancy is controlled, any increase is subject to the limits and process set by the relevant Tribunal, so a landlord cannot simply impose a large increase.
Does the agreement need stamp duty or registration?
A lease in Kenya attracts stamp duty under the Stamp Duty Act (Cap 480) — broadly 1% of the annual rent for a lease of up to three years and 2% for longer terms — and the template provides for the tenant to pay it and have the agreement stamped. If the term (or a renewal) is long enough to require registration under the Land Registration Act, the template also provides for the lease to be registered.
How does the security deposit work, and can a landlord just evict a tenant?
The tenant pays a deposit at the start — often one or two months' rent — which the landlord holds as security and returns at the end less proper deductions, within the number of days you set. A landlord cannot evict by self-help; recovery of possession and any distress for rent must go through lawful process, and for controlled tenancies through the relevant Tribunal.
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