A landlord in Parklands is on the spot for failing to refund a total of shs 2 million in rent deposits to his tenants since 2016.
In a letter sent to the Rent Restriction Tribunal on 11th May 2021, the Land Landlord and Tenant Association (LATAK) said it was shocked to receive several complaints from the tenants occupying Mogotio Apartments, Mogotio Road in Nairobi.
The complaints were received when LATAK conducted its research and survey on the property on 20th April 2021.
“It was a big relieve to our members who are your tenants when we came face to face with the realities you have enforced on them due to your negligence and ignorance to providing habitable housing units that are dwelling able,” LATAK said.
LATAK said the Mogotio apartment walls are infested with algae on the outside and molds on the inside that has resulted to tenants’ risks to suffering from various infections such as Asthma, chronic Bronchitis and Water borne diseases.
LATAK blamed the landlord for lack of proper maintenance that needs to be applied.
The landlord was also blamed for an open sewer and a borehole that is not properly maintained.
The compound was also reported to have long, unkempt grass that is conducive for rodents to thrive.
“Fixtures and fittings for the housing units have been neglected whenever there’s a breakage, posing as a hazard where glass panes, windowpane, doors, toilets, kitchen fixtures are in deplorable situation and wanting” LATAK said.
The Landlord was also blamed for visible cracks on the walls of the housing units and lack of playing ground and poorly maintained common areas.
There was also lack of CCTV and proper security procedures when admitting visitors in and out of the housing compound.
Harassment and uncouth behavior from the contracted housing agents was also reported.
The landlord was given 7 days to respond to LATAKs letter and come up with a workable plan on how he will refund all rent deposit owed to the former tenants.
LATAK also gave the landlord 7 days to come up with a plan to make the houses safe for occupation or else it seeks court orders to declare them unhabitable.
However, LATAK said since it wrote the demand letter in April 2021, the Landlord has not responded.
The organization said its headed to court to have the houses declared unhabitable.
Efforts to get a comment from the Landlord were futile since calls and texts to his appointed agents went unanswered.
Apart from complaining to LATAK, the tenants have also complained to the National building inspectorate and the County Government of Nairobi.
The owner of Mogotio Flats reportedly collects over shs 4m every month from Mogotio flats at Parklands police area, Mogotio road and KK flats around Visa Oshwal area.
LATAK is a nonprofit organization dully registered in 2013 under the societies act cap 108 of the laws of Kenya.
It is meant to champion for the interests of both the landlord and tenants.
Its current Secretary General ifs Ben Liyai.
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