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INTRODUCTION
The Rent Restriction
Tribunal was established by an act of Parliament Cap 296 of Laws
of Kenya which became operational on 1-9-1959.
The Rent Restriction Act gives the Rent Tribunal the mandate of
restriction Increase of Rent, the right of possession, extraction
of premiums and fixing Standard Rent in relation to dwelling houses,
and for other incidental to or connected with the relationship of
the Landlords & Tenants of dwelling houses in Urban Settlement
in the country. The Department of the Tribunal is responsible for
resolving disputes between Landlord and Tenants of controlled tenancy
i.e. Residential premises whose Standard Rent is up to kshs.2500/=.
The Department is currently housed at Agriculture House, 3rd Floor
at the Junction of Harambee/Moi Avenue P.O. BOX 68160, Nairobi,
Telephone No. 316487.
CURRENT STATUS OF THE ACT
Since the Act came into
operation (Cap 296) many socio-economic developments have taken
place rendering the ceiling of Kshs.2,500/= within which the Act
operates almost obsolete and calling from the review of the Kshs.2,500/=
figure. Hence the Ministry/Department has embarked on the review
of the Act to reflect change in times and economic changes that
have taken place. In conjuction with the Attorney General’s
office the Act is currently being reviewed and a draft bill has
been prepared for presentation to stakeholders before its taken
to Parliament for enactment. The Department in conjuction with the
Kenya Law Review Commission is organizing seminars and workshops
to meet stakeholders and bring ob board their input. Its hoped that
the Act will be taken to parliament in the course of the year.
VISION STATEMENT
Attain just rents that
are profitable to the landlord while safeguarding the rights of
the tenant in order to support continued investment in housing to
satisfy current and future housing demands, through out the country.
MISSION STATEMENT
To facilitate profitable
yet reasonable rents in low income tenancies so as to balance the
interest of both landlords and tenants while encouraging continued
investment in this category of housing.
CORE FUNCTIONS
- Resolution of disputes
between landlords and tenants of controlled tenancies i.e. residential
premises whose standard rent is up to Kenya Shillings 2,500/=
by establishing the facts of each case and then applying the relevant
legal rules to decide what the statutory rights and entitlements
of the aggrieved actually are.
- Assessment and determination
of standard rent of residential premises. Standard Rent is the
fair rent assessed by the Rent Tribunal in accordance with the
Rent Restriction Act Cap 296 of the Laws of Kenya. The principle
of Standard Rent has the objective of ensuring that a fair and
economic rent is given to the Landlord while guaranteeing the
tenant security of tenure in his rented premises. In so doing
the Rent Tribunal balances the interests of landlords and those
of tenants. This has twofold effects one, creating an environment
that ensures continued investment in low-income houses by investors
and two, safeguarding the rights of the tenant to have access
to adequate housing.
- Advice on all complaints
recorded with the Rent Inspectors. Many disputes and requests
for advice are dealt with administratively at the offices of the
Rent Restriction Department.
- Investigation of Cases
where the provisions of the Rent Restriction Act has been flouted.
DEPARTMENTAL STRUCTURE
The Rent Tribunal is presided
over by a CHAIRMAN who assisted by a DEPUTY CHAIRMAN the two are
appointed by the Honourable Minister for Housing. The Chairman &
Deputy Chairman are Advocates of the High Court.
LAY Members who are appointed by the Minister assist the Chairman
and Deputy Chairman in reaching a fair verdict.
The following Sections of the Department ensure smooth running of
the Tribunal and also act as a reporting structure.
- THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION; The
role of this Section is to harmonize and co-ordinate the functioning
of the other Sections .
- VALUATION SECTION: This
has the important role of inspecting and assessing dwelling houses
in order to supply the Tribunal with assessment reports necessary
for the determination of Standard Rents.
- THE INSPECTORATE SECTION:
This Section receives tenancy complaints, upon which necessary
investigations are carried out.
- THE PROCESS
SECTION: This Process Serves all court documents including
summons, hearing notices, inspection notices, notices to quit
and court orders.
- THE REGISTRY. This
is the data bank of the Tribunal Court. Documents and case files
are stored here. Various types of applications are also filed
in the Registry.
As of today we have the
following ten (10) fully-fledged stations,
- NAIROBI RENT TRIBUNAL
having jurisdiction in the Nairobi area, Kiambu, Machakos, Makueni,
Kajiado, Maragua and Thika Districts.
- MOMBASA RENT TRIBUNAL
having jurisdiction in the Mombasa, Kwale , Malindi, Taita Taveta,
Tana-River and Kilifi Districts.
- KISUMU RENT TRIBUNAL having
jurisdiction in the Kisumu, Siaya, Nyamira, Rachuonyo, Kisii,
Homa-Bay, Sduba, Kuria and Migori Districts.
- NAKURU RENT TRIBUNAL having
jurisdiction in the Nakuru, Narok, Baringo, Kericho, Samburu,
Koibatek, Eldama-Ravine, Bomet and Trans-Mara Districts.
- NYERI RENT TRIBUNAL having jurisdiction in
the Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua and Laikipia Districts.
- KAKAMEGA RENT TRIBUNAL having jurisdiction
in the Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Teso, Lugari, Vihiga, Butere/Mumias
and Mt. Elgon Districts.
- ELDORET RENT TRIBUNAL having
jurisdictions in the Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Turkana, Elgeyo,
Nandi, Trans Nzoia and Marakwet Districts.
- EMBU RENT TRIBUNAL having
jurisdiction in the Embu, Meru, Kitui, Isiolo, Marsabit, Nyambene,
Mbeere, Mwingi and Tharaka Nithi Districts.
- GARISSA RENT TRIBUNAL having
jurisdiction in the Garissa, Wajir and Mandera Districts.
- LAMU RENT TRIBUNAL
having jurisdiction in Lamu
Click the links below for
more information about our departments
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| Rent Restriction Tribunal
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