A property manager becomes your eyes, ears and operating partner when you live abroad. Before choosing one, look beyond a management percentage and ask how the company actually handles money, communication, maintenance and accountability.
Ask what the monthly service really includes
Clarify tenant or guest communication, rent collection, inspections, maintenance coordination, statements, renewals, vacancy marketing and emergency response. A low headline fee can be misleading when essential work is billed separately.
Understand how owner money is handled
Ask when rent is remitted, what supporting statement is provided, how deposits are treated and how expenses are documented. You should be able to reconcile what came in, what went out and what reached you.
Test the communication system
Ask to see a sample owner report and how urgent issues are escalated. If the process depends entirely on one person remembering to message you, it is not yet a reliable system.
Check conflicts and vendor controls
Find out how contractors are selected, whether markups or referral fees apply and when competing quotations are obtained. Transparency is more important than promising the cheapest repair every time.
Property ownership, rental operations and tax obligations can vary by location and circumstances. Use this guide as a planning framework and confirm legal, tax and regulatory requirements with qualified Kenyan professionals before acting.
Choose management based on accountability, not only price
Start with the questions that reveal how your Nairobi property will actually be operated.