Noticus demand letters

Demand Letter for Landlord & Tenant Disputes

Lawyer-prepared demands for rent arrears, deposit refunds, lease breaches, and unlawful eviction — grounded in Kenyan tenancy law.

From KES 2,500 · standard turnaround 3–5 business days

What this demand letter covers

A landlord–tenant demand letter puts your position in formal legal writing when a tenancy dispute has stalled — whether you are a landlord chasing rent arrears or a tenant demanding a deposit refund or challenging unlawful conduct.

Kenyan tenancy law differs for residential and commercial premises. Residential disputes are primarily governed by the Rent Restriction Act (Cap. 296); commercial tenancies fall under the Landlord and Tenant Act (Cap. 301). The right letter identifies your track and cites the correct statute and forum.

Noticus collects your tenancy facts — premises, rent, dispute type, and prior attempts — and a registered advocate drafts a demand on letterhead, setting a clear deadline before you escalate to the Rent Restriction Tribunal, Business Premises Rent Tribunal, or Small Claims Court.

What Kenyan law says

For residential tenancies, the Rent Restriction Act (Cap. 296) limits how landlords recover possession and rent. Section 14 restricts recovery of possession unless rent lawfully due has not been paid or another tenancy obligation is broken. Section 29 makes unlawful eviction without tribunal authority an offence.

Deposit refund disputes engage contract principles under the Law of Contract Act (Cap. 23) — a deposit paid under a tenancy agreement must be handled according to the lease terms and applicable restrictions on premiums and recoverable sums under Cap. 296, Sections 17 and 19.

Commercial tenancy disputes are governed by the Landlord and Tenant Act (Cap. 301). Section 4 protects controlled tenancies from termination except as the Act allows; rent default of two months is a common ground for landlord action under Section 7(1)(b). Commercial disputes escalate to the Business Premises Rent Tribunal under Section 11 of Cap. 301.

What it covers

  • Rent arrears and overdue lease payments
  • Security deposit refunds after vacating
  • Unlawful eviction or lock-out threats
  • Failure to repair or lease breaches
  • Illegal rent increases

Cost and timeline

A landlord–tenant demand letter on Noticus costs KES 2,500 with standard turnaround of 3–5 business days after intake and payment. Urgent processing (24–48 hours) is available for an additional fee. This avoids the cost of a full conveyancing or litigation retainer for a single formal notice.

Noticus price: KES 2,500 (standard processing)

What happens if they ignore the letter?

If the other party ignores the letter, your next step depends on the dispute type. Rent arrears and possession claims may go to the Rent Restriction Tribunal (residential) or Business Premises Rent Tribunal (commercial). Deposit refund claims often proceed to the Small Claims Court under contract law. The demand letter establishes that you put the other party on formal notice before filing.

Frequently asked questions

Does Kenyan law treat residential and commercial tenancy disputes the same?
No. Residential disputes are primarily governed by the Rent Restriction Act (Cap. 296). Commercial tenancies fall under the Landlord and Tenant Act (Cap. 301) with disputes referred to the Business Premises Rent Tribunal. Your letter must follow the correct track.
Can my landlord evict me without a tribunal or court order?
Unlawful eviction without tribunal authority is an offence under Section 29 of the Rent Restriction Act (Cap. 296) for residential premises. A demand letter can formally demand cessation of harassment or lock-out tactics and put the landlord on notice of your rights.
How do I recover my security deposit after moving out?
A deposit is held under your tenancy contract. If the landlord withholds it without lawful basis, a demand letter citing the Law of Contract Act (Cap. 23) and relevant Cap. 296 provisions puts them on formal notice. Escalation may be to the Small Claims Court for deposit refund claims.
Can a landlord increase rent without following the law?
For residential premises, Section 9 of the Rent Restriction Act (Cap. 296) restricts recovery of rent above standard rent. Section 10 penalises landlords who demand excess rent or unlawful advance payments. A tenant can respond with a formal demand challenging the increase.
What should I include in my intake for a stronger letter?
Provide the premises address, monthly rent, tenancy start date, whether the tenancy is residential or commercial, the nature of the dispute (arrears, deposit, eviction, etc.), and any lease or payment records. Uploading your agreement helps the advocate quote specific clauses.

Start your letter

Complete the steps below. A registered Kenyan advocate will draft your demand on official letterhead.

Step 1 of 5

About you

Who is sending this letter?

We need your details as the person or business making the demand.

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