Peter Macharia Kagiri, James Mwangi Njoroge, Pius Mwaura Karanja, Kennedy Mwangi Mbatia, Gerald Ngatia Watoro, Simon Ng’ang’a Muiruri, Joseph Mwangi Kariuki, Joshua Kiari & John Muhia Kanotha v Florence Ngina Kanyiri & Mary Wangechi Kanyiri [2022] KEBPRT 36 (KLR)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

BUSINESS PREMISES RENT TRIBUNAL

VIEW PARK TOWERS 7TH & 8TH FLOOR

TRIBUNAL CASE NO. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 AND 9 AND 2018 (THIKA)

PETER MACHARIA KAGIRI........................................................TENANT/1ST APPLICANT

JAMES MWANGI NJOROGE........................................................TENANT/2ND APPLICANT

PIUS MWAURA KARANJA............................................................TENANT/3RD APPLICANT

KENNEDY MWANGI MBATIA......................................................TENANT/4TH APPLICANT

GERALD NGATIA WATORO.........................................................TENANT/5TH APPLICANT

SIMON NG’ANG’A MUIRURI........................................................TENANT/6TH APPLICANT

JOSEPH MWANGI KARIUKI.........................................................TENANT/7TH APPLICANT

JOSHUA KIARI..................................................................................TENANT/8TH APPLICANT

JOHN MUHIA KANOTHA...............................................................TENANT/9TH APPLICANT

VERSUS

FLORENCE NGINA KANYIRI..............................................LANDLORD/1ST RESPONDENT

MARY WANGECHI KANYIRI..............................................LANDLORD/2ND RESPONDENT

RULING

1.   The Landlord in this matter issued a notice to terminate/alter terms of tenancy dated 24th October 2017.  The alterations which the Landlord proposed in the said notice were;

“To increase your monthly rent to Kshs 32,000/-“and the grounds on which the alterations was sought are;

“The current rent paid is below the market rent.”

2.   The Tenant, disagreeing with the said notice to increase rent filed a reference under section 6 of Cap 301.  The reference is the one dated 13th June 2018.

3.   The Landlord has filed a valuation report in support of her notice to increase rent.  The Tenant has not filed any valuation report and neither has he responded in any other manner save for the filing of the reference.

4.   According to the valuation report filed by the Landlord, the Tenant herein occupies a lettable area of 367 square feet at the front and 70 square feet at the rear.  The Tenant is on the ground floor of the suit premises.  The Tenant pays a monthly rent of Kshs 7,000/- at the rate of Kshs 17/- per square foot per month for the shop space and Kshs 14/- per square feet per month for the store.

5.   The recommended, assessed rate in the Landlord’s valuation report is Kshs 80/- per square foot per month for the shop space and Kshs 40/-per square foot per month for the store space.  The assessed rent payable then comes to Kshs 32,000/- per month.

6.   As observed earlier, the Tenant did not file any valuation report.  The only evidence placed before the Tribunal is therefore the valuation report by the Landlord.  I note that on the said report, rent paid for comparables (shops) rage from Kshs 70/- per square foot per month to Kshs 110/- per square foot per month and Kshs 55/- per square foot per month for the rear space.  I do find the assessment by the Landlord’s valuers to be reasonable and I adopt the said assessment.

7.   Consequently, the Landlord’s notice to increase rent dated 24th October 2017 is approved in its entirety.  The Tenant shall pay rent at the rate of Kshs 32,000/- per month with effect from 1st March 2022.

8.   The Tenant’s reference dated 13th June 2018 is dismissed with costs to the Landlord.

9.   This ruling applies to Mr Kennedy Mwangi Mbatia the 4th Applicant/Tenant.

HON. CYPRIAN MUGAMBI NGUTHARI

CHAIRMAN

BUSINESS PREMISES RENT TRIBUNAL

Ruling dated, signed and delivered virtually by Hon P. May (Vice Chair)this16th February 2022in the presence of Kithinjifor theLandlordsand in the absence of theTenants.

HON. P. MAY

VICE CHAIR

BUSINESS PREMISES RENT TRIBUNAL