The Ultimate Checklist for Inspecting an Apartment Before Signing the Lease

Photos Show You What a Property Looks Like — Not What It's Like to Live There

Never sign a lease based on photographs alone. An inspection tells you what it is actually like to live there. Before signing a rental agreement in Nairobi, inspect both the apartment and the surrounding property.

Living Room

Check walls, floors, ceiling, windows, curtains, lighting, electrical sockets, doors, locks, and signs of dampness. Look carefully around corners and behind furniture for mould.

Bedroom

Check ventilation, natural light, window locks, wardrobes, floor condition, wall cracks, power sockets, and noise levels. Stand silently in the bedroom for a few minutes — can you hear traffic, neighbors, generators, clubs, or construction? Noise can become one of the biggest problems in an otherwise beautiful apartment.

Kitchen

Test taps, water pressure, sink drainage, cabinets, countertops, cooker connections, electrical sockets, and ventilation. Open cabinets and check for signs of pests or water damage.

Bathroom

Don't simply look at the bathroom — use it. Test the shower, toilet, sink, hot water, drainage, water pressure, and ventilation. Flush the toilet, turn on the shower, run the sink. You want to identify problems before moving in.

Electricity

Check whether sockets work. If possible, confirm the meter type, electricity billing arrangement, backup power, generator, and common-area lighting. Ask whether electricity is prepaid or postpaid.

Water

Ask: is water supplied continuously? Is there a borehole or water tank? How often does water run out? Who pays the water bill and how is it divided among tenants? Water reliability can vary significantly between properties.

Security

Check the main gate, locks, security guards, CCTV, lighting, perimeter wall, access control, and visitor procedures. Ask existing tenants whether they feel safe.

Internet

Don't assume that because an area has mobile coverage, good home internet is available. Ask which internet providers serve this building — particularly important if you work remotely.

Parking

If you own a car, clarify whether parking is included, whether it's reserved or shared, visitor parking, parking charges, security, and availability at night.

Service Charges

Ask exactly what service charges cover — security, garbage collection, cleaning, landscaping, common electricity, lift maintenance, or shared facilities. Don't assume service charge is included in rent.

Neighborhood Inspection

Walk around the property. Find supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, public transport, hospitals, schools, ATMs, and petrol stations. Check the area during both daytime and evening if possible.

Document Everything

Take photos and videos before moving in. Create a simple condition report — item, condition, photo. This gives you evidence of the property's condition when you received it.

Final Inspection Rule

Never ask only "Do I like this apartment?" Ask: "What problems could I discover after living here for six months?" That mindset can save you thousands of shillings.

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