A section of tenants and businessmen in Nakuru town are complaining over what they claim as high rental fees being demanded by landlords.
The tenants are complaining that landlords have increased rent exorbitantly and want the county’s intervention. The businessmen claims that rent for flats and business premises within Nakuru have increased dramatically.
Speaking in Nakuru Town on Thursday, Mercy Chelagat, a business woman in the town claimed that her rent for the two-room warehouse she is operating along Kenyatta Avenue has doubled.
She says that the landlord increased the rent without informing her in advance.
“I was shocked when the landlord came with a new rent rates which was effective immediately,” she said.
Chelagat claimed that her rent before the increment was Sh10,000 but she is being asked to pay Sh15,000 for the same now.
John Kamau, a student at a local university within Nakuru Town said his rent has been increased by Sh1,000 for his single room.
He claims that the landlord introduced the new rates two months ago.
“I used to pay Sh3,500 for the single room and I am now paying Sh4,500,” he complained.
The tenants now want the county government to intervene and also set in place regulations to guide rent charges and rates.
Elijah Musila, a landlord and developer, said that the new rates have been necessitated by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)'s move to increase tax for landlords. He said that landlords are being taxed higher and that the heat is now being felt by tenants.
Musila also attributed the hike in rent to rising demand. He said that demand for houses has increased with students and businessmen seeking them. He called on the government to control rent charges to protect tenants from being exploited.