Build-to-rent surge shakes up Nairobi’s housing market: What tenants get for their money

Two new high-rise towers on Riverside Drive are changing the way many Nairobians think about renting. The Sante Residences and Urban Oasis, developed by the Nairobi-based Domus Africa and backed by British investment, are part of a surge in build-to-rent (BTR) projects offering long-term renters amenities that rival the city’s upmarket condos—but without a mortgage attached.

This shift comes at a crucial moment for urban dwellers. A two-bedroom apartment in Westlands now routinely fetches KES 15 million, according to HassConsult’s 2026 first quarter survey. For many middle-income households, scraping together even a 10% deposit has become unrealistic in the wake of inflation and rising borrowing costs. Renting, once seen as temporary or risky, looks increasingly attractive when BTR landlords promise everything from gyms and rooftop lounges to security and parking—rolled into predictable monthly payments.

Amenity-rich living—without the ownership headaches

The Sante Residences stands out near its Riverside Drive corner with leafy landscaping, a concierge at the lobby, and a heated infinity pool on the 12th floor. Tenants like Elizabeth M., who moved from a semi-detached maisonette in South C, cite all-inclusive services as a major draw. “You don’t call five different fundis every time the plumbing acts up,” she says—something echoed by managers at LetYourSpace, an agency marketing upstream BTR blocks in Kileleshwa and Kilimani. Many of these apartments come fully furnished, with utilities and Wi-Fi wrapped into the rental price, and professional management comparable to Nairobi’s top serviced apartments.

Across in Ruaka, where growth is surging along Limuru Road, Urban Oasis targets young professionals working in Upper Hill or Gigiri. Unlike traditional rentals, every unit comes with access to a shared coworking lounge, children’s play areas and a secure parking bay. Monthly rents start at KES 85,000 for a two-bedroom, though there’s often a waiting list—evidence of demand in a city where flexible work and amenities matter as much as price per square foot.

Breaking down the affordability equation

HassConsult research puts the average price for a three-bedroom apartment in Nairobi at KES 18 million as of June 2026. Even with a 10% down payment and a 10% mortgage rate, monthly repayments surpass KES 160,000—plus service charges and maintenance bills. By comparison, BTR tenants in premium developments are paying between KES 85,000-120,000 per month, but avoid heavy upfront costs, property taxes, and the risk of depreciation. According to Cytonn Real Estate’s 2026 State of The Nairobi Property Market report, purpose-built rentals like Sante and Urban Oasis command higher occupancy rates (over 93%) than conventional landlord-owned blocks, driven by this new offer of certainty and convenience.

The model is also gaining traction in Kilimani, where three BTR complexes broke ground this year on Rose Avenue and Wood Avenue. Nairobi City County’s Urban Housing Secretariat confirmed more than 800 new build-to-rent units, ranging from studios to three-beds, will come online by December. Market analysts predict up to 5,000 such units could launch in the city by mid-2027, including large blocks planned near Nairobi National Park’s southern bypass corridor.

So what does this mean for renters weighing their next move? With flexible leases, premium amenities, and robust management all rolled into reliable rent bills, BTR projects are putting pressure on traditional landlords to upgrade and professionalise. Renters who value predictability and lifestyle extras might find that a premium BTR unit offers better value than stretching for a mortgage—or chasing a bargain in Nairobi’s crowded lower mid-market segment. But with demand outpacing supply in the city centre and growth corridors, competition for these developments is only set to intensify in the months ahead. Prospective tenants would be wise to act early, read contracts carefully, and balance the perks offered against their long-term housing goals.