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How to check an estate agent, contractor or developer in Kenya

Short answer

Ask an estate agent for their Estate Agents Registration Board (EARB) registration and annual practising certificate, then search the EARB directory. Check that any contractor is registered with the National Construction Authority on the NCA public register. For off-plan homes, also confirm county-approved drawings, a NEMA licence and that the developer owns the land.

Checked by Motherland editorial · 11 Nov 2026 · Expert review in progress

General information, not legal advice.

Key facts for this guide

Each value links to its source and the date we checked it.

FactValueSource · as of
Estate agentsMust be EARB-registered with an annual practising certificateSources · as of 11 Nov 2026K16 Estate agents board issues fresh notice to property buyers and tenantsThe Kenya Times · checked 11 Nov 2026All sources
ContractorsMust be NCA-registered; public search on nca.go.keSources · as of 11 Nov 2026K15 Search registered contractorsNational Construction Authority · checked 11 Nov 2026All sources

Check agents and contractors

Estate agents must be registered with the Estate Agents Registration Board (EARB) and hold an annual practising certificate; search the EARB directory. Contractors must be registered with the NCA; search the NCA register. Sources · as of 11 Nov 2026K15 Search registered contractorsNational Construction Authority · checked 11 Nov 2026K16 Estate agents board issues fresh notice to property buyers and tenantsThe Kenya Times · checked 11 Nov 2026All sources

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Verify a person or company

Seller, agent, developer, contractor or notary checked against official registers. $60–150 + booking fee · 2–3 days

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Off-plan: check the developer first

Off-plan fraud has hit diaspora buyers, including forged land reference numbers and units sold on land the developer didn't own. Sources · as of 11 Nov 2026K13 Off-plan scams: from dream homes to dustNation · checked 11 Nov 2026K14 Off-plan housing 101: the approvals that may land you in troubleThe Standard · checked 11 Nov 2026K15 Search registered contractorsNational Construction Authority · checked 11 Nov 2026All sources

Check that the developer's contractor is registered with the National Construction Authority (NCA), and that the project has county-approved drawings, a NEMA licence and NCA registration before you pay.

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Off-plan and developer check

Developer company and directors, land ownership, project approvals, site progress against the schedule, and contract review. $350–900 + booking fee · 7–10 days

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Building from abroad without losing money

Families abroad report money diverted and fake progress photos. Pay contractors in stages against evidence, and have an independent engineer inspect each milestone. Sources · as of 11 Nov 2026K8 Moving abroad? Don't send cash back to relatives to invest for youNation · checked 11 Nov 2026K9 Why the stage-payment construction model has gained trustThe Standard · checked 11 Nov 2026All sources

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Construction progress inspection

Engineer checks each milestone against the approved plan. $180–350 per visit + booking fee · Per milestone

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Questions

How do I check an off-plan developer?
Check that its contractor is registered with the NCA and that the project has county-approved drawings, a NEMA licence and NCA registration, and confirm the developer owns the land. SourcesK14 Off-plan housing 101: the approvals that may land you in troubleThe Standard · checked 11 Nov 2026K15 Search registered contractorsNational Construction Authority · checked 11 Nov 2026All sources
How do I check an estate agent?
Ask for their EARB registration and annual practising certificate, and search the EARB directory. SourcesK16 Estate agents board issues fresh notice to property buyers and tenantsThe Kenya Times · checked 11 Nov 2026All sources

Sources

Checked 11 Nov 2026.

  1. K8 Moving abroad? Don't send cash back to relatives to invest for you · Nation · checked 11 Nov 2026
  2. K9 Why the stage-payment construction model has gained trust · The Standard · checked 11 Nov 2026
  3. K13 Off-plan scams: from dream homes to dust · Nation · checked 11 Nov 2026
  4. K14 Off-plan housing 101: the approvals that may land you in trouble · The Standard · checked 11 Nov 2026
  5. K15 Search registered contractors · National Construction Authority · checked 11 Nov 2026
  6. K16 Estate agents board issues fresh notice to property buyers and tenants · The Kenya Times · checked 11 Nov 2026