Trust & Safety

Nyumba254 is Kenya’s open platform to list, find and manage property. Every listing shows who listed it and what a viewing costs, before you get in touch.

Draft, needs legal review. This page explains our approach in plain language. It is not a legal agreement and may change.

Roles and verification

• A role is a claim.Each account says whether it is an owner, caretaker, agent or company. This is self-declared when the account is created.
• Verification is proof.A role badge appears only after Nyumba254 has checked the supporting documents for that role. Listers without verification show “(not verified)”. An identity check confirms who the account holder is; it does not guarantee a property or a transaction.
• Social links are self-declared.Links a lister adds to their Lister Page are not verified by Nyumba254.

Viewing fees

Where an agent or company charges for a viewing, the fee is shown on the listing before you make contact. You pay only that fee, at the property, to the person you meet, and you ask for a receipt. Read the full Viewing Fee Policy.

Common scams in Kenya and what to do

• A “caretaker” asks for a deposit before you view.Never pay rent or a deposit before you have seen the property in person and met the person you are paying.
• “Booking” or “reservation” fees.The only fee a lister may ask for is the disclosed viewing fee, paid at the property. Other pre-contract charges are against our policy.
• M-Pesa “reversal” requests.If someone says they sent money by mistake and asks you to send it back, do not reply with money. Check your M-Pesa message and contact Safaricom.
• Photos copied from other listings.If photos look too good, or the lister cannot show you the actual unit, treat it as a warning sign.
• Urgency and pressure.“Many people are coming today” is a common push to pay fast. A genuine lister will let you view first.
• Payment requests through social media or direct messages.Pay viewing fees only at the property, never through direct messages.

How to report

Use the report option on any listing or Lister Page, or contact us. Include the listing, what was asked for, and any screenshots or receipts. Do not delete messages.

What Nyumba254 will and will not do

• We willreview reports, hide listings or social links that break the rules, and suspend accounts for serious or repeated breaches.
• We will notcollect or hold viewing fees, rent or deposits, mediate payments or refunds, or take a commission from your agreement.