Disbelief online after Dagoretti landlord reduces rent

Occupants of Muhu Building on Naivasha Road in Dagoretti North, Nairobi County will -- beginning November 1, 2019 -- pay Ksh2, 000 less on rent for units that, until October 2019, cost each of them Ksh10, 000 per month.

In what online users have termed as “unprecedented”, the commercial building’s management said the decision was arrived at to retain current tenants and attract new ones on the back of an influx of real estate structures in the area.

“We have noted a serious business fall in the recent months. We, therefore, extend our support to your business by reducing your rent,” the building’s management said in an October 17 letter addressed to the tenants.

"Your new rent from November 1, 2019 is Ksh8, 000 down from Ksh10,000.”

K24 Digital reached the building’s agent, Paul Newton, to ascertain authenticity of the letter.

“Yes, the letter is genuine,” said Newton.

"We arrived at the decision after keenly scrutinising how our tenants settled their rent arrears in the last few months. Honestly, we noticed they were struggling to raise the money, and, therefore, we had to reduce the monthly rent charges,” added Newton.

“However, when the economy improves, we might revise the rent upwards,” he said.

When a copy of the letter was shared on social media, many online users were in disbelief that a landlord would opt for such a move in this day and age.

Facebook user, Mike Too, said: “PR at its best.”

David Kanda said: “Was that letter really authored by a Kenyan landlord?”

Sheila Kimulwet said: “My landlord, on the other hand, increased the monthly rent.”