KARIBU KENYA - UNON - the United Nations Office at Nairobi

more popular shopping centres, particularly the Sarit Centre, the Yaya Centre
and Village Market. It is also worth looking at the Nation and Standard newspapers,
the monthly Focus on Property magazine, and the website www.theexpatriate.org,
which provides practical information and contacts especially
designed for new residents.
Rental Costs & Conditions
House rents are still quite high in Nairobi, with average rents ranging from
Ksh 30-50,000 for an unfurnished two-bedroom apartment or a small
cottage, Ksh 50-80,000 for a two- or three-bedroom townhouse, and Ksh 60-
140,000 for a three- to five-bedroom house with a large garden in one of the
more upmarket suburbs. Most rental agreements involve the signing of a 1-2
year lease, with renewal clauses allowing for a rental fee increase – usually in
the region of 10%. UN staffers are encouraged to request a ‘diplomatic clause’
that permits the tenant to terminate the lease with 1-3 months’ notice in the
event of a reassignment or transfer. Most landlords request three months’
advance rent, and arriving staff should apply to their agency for a salary
advance to meet this requirement.
Furnished & Serviced Apartments
Nairobi also has a good number of furnished and/or serviced apartments for
rent, which are ideal for those on short-term contracts or newcomers who are
in the process of finding somewhere more permanent. Most of these apartments
are located in two main areas: the Hurlingham/Kilimani area, which
has some of the city’s most comfortable serviced apartments, and Westlands,
which has several new apartment developments, particularly in the vicinity of
Rhapta Road.
Nairobi has a growing number of efficient housing agents that deal with property rentals, most of which also feature a selection of
properties on the Internet. The best of these are:
HassConsult 4446914 www.hassconsult.co.ke
Kenya Valuers 522001/521870 harber@iconnect.co.ke
Lloyd Masika 215900/218112-3 www.realtorsafrica.com
Knight Frank Kenya 4440174/4442167-9 www.knightfrank.com
Tysons Ltd. 222011/330331 tysons@nbnet.co.ke
Villa Care 4448246/4447444 www.villacarekenya.com
28 • KARIBU KENYA