The relationship between landlords and their tenants has never been more tested than in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This is compounded by the undeniable fact that most tenants have been complaining that they are out of work and are not able to pay their rent in good time and landlords indicating that they have bank loans that need to be cleared.
In fact, a report conducted on the Nairobi rental market indicated a decline over the past few months as a number of landlords reduced rent.
With both parties facing financial constraints during the tough economic times, landlords have taken several measures to ensure that they are paid, some of which would be considered brutal.
Below are ways that landlords are using to get paid;
1.) Sending goons to scare off tenants
Some landlords have been accused of sending goons to destroy tenants' property as well as threaten them.
In some cases, the goons destroy window panes or remove them, exposing tenants items to theft.
"Our rental agency has repeatedly visited the premises with goons who also disconnect electricity and water as well as the discontinuation of garbage collection services," a Kawangware says.
2.) Reporting the matter to the area chief
In a number of instances, landlords have been left with no option but to report matters of persistent rent defaulters to the area chief, who in turn deliberates on what actions will be taken.
Rebecca Wairimu, a landlord at Kahawa Wendani estate, told Kenyans.co.ke that she had to take cases of notorious rent defaulters to the area chief.
"Most of those who live in my plot are Kenyatta University students. Some went home and left their belongings in the houses, hence, I cannot rent out the property to any other person. I have contacted them severally, some don't even pick my calls," she lamented.
3.) Locking tenants inside
Locking tenants' houses using padlocks is a common way of landlords dealing with rent defaulters.
However, in the recent past, the media has highlighted stories of landlords using extreme measures such as sealing the doors and trapping occupants inside.
Amon Onzare, a Nakuru resident, had to narrate his experience through the window, after encountering one such landlord.
“I peeped through the window and beseeched the landlord to allow me to leave, but he said that would teach me and my mother a lesson to respect other people’s property,” Onzare stated.
4.) Removing the roof
In some extreme cases, landlords have removed roofs of their tenants' houses over rent arrears, with the occupant's pleas falling on to deaf ears.
“He removed the door and the roof in my bedroom, to make sure I would not sleep at night, most of my things have been destroyed by rainwater,” a mother of two narrated.
In April 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta appealed to landlords to reduce rent for their tenants in the wake of the pandemic.
"This is truly a time for compassion. This is truly a time for understanding," the president stated.
However, Secretary-General of Landlords and Tenants Association Of Kenya Ben Liayi stated that some tenants were dishonest about their inability to pay rent in the wake of the pandemic.
They requested to be allowed to have contact with a tenant employers, to ascertain the authenticity of claims by some tenants.
“Most landlords know when a tenant is telling the truth or when they are lying. It helps to have a good relationship,” he said.
