Gated community: Things to consider

Posted on July 10, 2019 Updated on July 10, 2019

Real estate gated communities are widely considered to be the crowning point of luxury living. Gated communities offer privacy and security, as well as other benefits.

But what are the cons to living in a gated community? Is it for you?

Manned vs. Unmanned Gated Communities

The entrance/exit gates at gated communities come either manned or unmanned. This refers to whether a person is stationed at the gate to check visitor IDs or whether visitors and residents enter a code into an electronic device to open the gate.

One pro of living in a manned gated community included advance notification that a guest is on their way to your home.

In a manned gated community, there are two entrance lanes — one for visitors and guests, and one for residents.

• Guests need to present identification, and the guard would then call the resident to confirm that the guest should be allowed in.
• Residents would have either a decal on their vehicle that opens the gate automatically as they enter, or they would enter a private gate code.

The added security of identification verification and the authorization process increases the feeling of safety for anyone who may feel vulnerable, such as elderly people, celebrities or wealthy families with valuables in the home, or even families with young children.

KNOWING THAT REGULAR TRAFFIC AND STRANGERS CAN’T DRIVE THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS A HUGE BONUS.

The cons of manned gated community in general include having to put your frequent visitors through the authorization ordeal every time they come to visit.

Even service personnel have to stop and show ID.

Unmanned communities with gate codes are less secure, but they do offer an easier alternative to navigate the security system.

• The upside is that the code can be given to your frequent visitors, such as your best friend, parents and siblings.
• The downside is that the code could potentially fall into the wrong hands, since your neighbors can give out their code to outsiders, as well.

Behavior Control in a Gated Community

Most gated communities would never call their rules and restrictions behavior control, but in essence, that’s often why the rules are there. Those who invest extra real estate dollars into living in a gated community want to know that their neighbors will help keep the value of the neighborhood up and thereby protect their investment.

As such, gated communities often come with a set of additional by-laws that control and help to regulate undesired behavior in the neighborhood.

Gated community rules commonly include things like:

• Owner vans and trucks with logos have to be parked inside the garage, not outside.
• Lawns and driveways have to be meticulously maintained or owners can be fined.
• No garage workshops can be used with the garage door open to the street.
• All mailboxes must be uniform. No individual mailbox styles allowed.
• Trash cannot be put out until a certain time. Trash barrels must be stored inside garage.
• Vehicles cannot be parked on the lawn at any time.

Community guidelines such as these work to keep up the appearance of the neighborhood.

Real estate gated communities frequently offer extra amenities, too, such as playground, sports facilities and pool facilities. However, gated communities aren’t for everyone. Before you buy into one, evaluate your ideal lifestyle to make sure a gated community is right for you.

Source: (https://www.housingmarket.com/10-pros-cons-living-gated-community/)

What is Blue economy?

Posted on November 26, 2018

What is Blue economy?

Posted on November 26, 2018

This week Nairobi is hosting the ‘’Sustainable Blue economy conference’’at KICC. But what is Blue economy?

According To Wikipedia, it is a term in economics relating to the exploitation and preservation of the marine environment. Its scope of interpretation varies among organizations. The ‘Blue Economy’ is an emerging concept which encourages better stewardship of our ocean or ‘blue’ resources.

According to the World bank, the blue economy is the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.”

Kenya is co-hosting the event with Canada and Japan, inviting the world to Nairobi for the first global conference on the sustainable blue economy.

Over 4,000 participants from around the world will meet from November 26 to 28, 2018 at the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference to learn how to build a blue economy that:

• Harnesses the potential of our oceans, seas, lakes and rivers to improve the lives of all, particularly people in developing states, women, youth and Indigenous peoples.
• Leverages the latest innovations, scientific advances and best practices to build prosperity while conserving our waters for future generations.

The Sustainable Blue Economy Conference builds on the momentum of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 2015 Climate Change Conference in Paris and the UN Ocean Conference 2017 “Call to Action”.

The conference will:

• Identify how to harness the potential of the blue economy to create jobs and combat poverty and hunger
• Show how economic development and healthy waters go hand in hand
• Capture commitments and practical actions that can be taken today
• Bring together the players needed to transition to a blue economy

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The process of buying land in Kenya

Posted on October 1, 2018

The process of buying land in Kenya

Posted on October 1, 2018 Updated on June 24, 2019

The best investment on earth is earth and everyone wants a piece of land because it’s the only sure investment. It can never depreciate like a car or a machine, land will double its value over years. When you’re ready to acquire a piece of Land, there are some pre-requisites which you need to adhere to so that the land you buy is legitimate.

The following are steps of buying land in Kenya

1. Conduct a site visit.

This is where the buyer goes to see the land that he/she intends to buy and if the land meets his criteria in terms of infrastructure, development and whether the land is worth the price being mentioned.

2. Conduct a search at the land registry.

To avoid paying for land that doesn’t exist, insist on a copy of the title deed from the owner to enable you to conduct a search on the land. Its take about 2 to 3 hours to get search results after filling for the search application form. The requirement of the search is to attach a copy of the title deed, fill the search application form and make a payment of Kshs 500.

3. Search at the county office

This search will help to unearth any unpaid land rates which should be factored in the purchase price.

4. Obtain two land maps

The maps are obtained from Survey of Kenya at a cost of Kshs 300. One map is drawn to scale and the other map shows the overview of the land.

5. Ground verifications.

After getting the maps the surveyor, the seller and the potential buyer visit the land to verify dimensions.  The surveyor will help in ensuring that the beacons on the land are in the right place and the title for the parcel you are buying corresponds with what is on the ground.

6. Sale agreement

The seller’s lawyer can draft a sales agreement after discussing the terms of the sale, adding that the prescribed standard is a 10 per cent deposit, with the 90 per cent balance to be paid in 90 days or according to the terms drafted in the sales agreement.

The seller is required to supply

• Three copies of his/ her passport-size photos.
• Copies of his/her personal identification number (PIN) certificate and national identity card, which should all match the documents.

However, if you are buying land from a company, it should give you copies of a certificate of incorporation, the company’s PIN certificate and the PIN certificates and IDs of its board of directors.

7. Transfer and procurement of completion documents.

Draft a transfer by the lawyer of the seller which is then approved by the buyer lawyer if the buyer lawyer approves of the draft the lawyer then provide the following.

• Three copies of his/ her passport-size photos
• A copy of the buyer PIN certificate which should be certified by their lawyer
• A copy of his/her national identification card

The buyer and the seller should appear before the local Land Control Board (LCB), which the LCB will issue consent for the land to be sold. You can’t transfer land without the consent of the LCB.

8. Completion of payment

After getting the consent from the LCB, the buy should complete the payment as agreed in the sale’s agreement. After the completion of payment the buyer should conduct another search at the land office to ensure that what is reflected in the file at the registry corresponds with the document he/she has in hand.

9. Stamp transfer

The buyer is required to apply for the valuation of the land by the government using the valuation form filled by the seller. It is the responsibility of the buyer to pay for the stamp duty according to the value of the land, which is 2% agricultural land and 4% of land within the Local Municipality.

10. Exchange of document

This is the last stage after registration is complete where the title deed is issued to the buyer by the seller.

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Railway breathes fresh business into towns

Posted on August 2, 2018

Railway breathes fresh business into towns

Posted on July 18, 2018

The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) has given much needed fillip to business in townships located along the Nairobi-Mombasa Road. This is evidenced by amplified vibrancy resulting from augmented money flow in the recent past.

Emali Township, for instance, today hosts one of SGR’s two pre-stressed concrete sleeper factories that also manufactures rail line T-bolts.

It will only take you 1 hour from Emali Nairobi using the SGR at a commuter fee of only Ksh 190, saving you money and hours spent on traffic, majority of people working in Nairobi mostly Mombasa Road are preferring Emali as the perfect residential area due to the strategic location.

A casual survey shows the factory has breathed fresh business oxygen into the town suitable for the lungs of a rising population. Rent and other charges are spiraling upwards. Entrepreneurship is making more sense as those with money to invest strive to cash in on increased demand for accommodation, food, social and others that have come with Chinese and local labour inflow.

Enterprising teachers are busy striking while the iron is hot by teaching English and Kiswahili to interested Chinese with no prior knowledge of the languages important for communication in this part of the world. “I make an extra Sh3,000 per month,” a secondary school teacher in Emali divulged on condition of anonymity.

Bar and hotel business is gradually shifting from an over reliance on long distance track drivers to wage earners. Hotel rooms that previously went for as little as Sh500 in Emali and other smaller towns are now charging between Sh800 and Sh1, 000.

Emali, a town inundated by sugary water melons, mangoes and vegetable products grown by irrigation on farms in Makueni and Kajiado Counties or ferried in from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro is awake and blinking to unprecedented commercial aura evidenced by a groundswell of hawkers. “Business has been good of late,” effuses mother of one Beatrice Kamene. “This rail construction is a boon for us.”

“Many of us have moved to fruit and vegetable business from charcoal due to increased demand from people working on the railway,” says Ngilesi Mbithe, a middle aged small-scale businesswoman who hawks her wares by the roadside.

REVITALIZED ECONOMY

This site of the second SGR compressed concrete sleepers factory is transforming from over-reliance on truck drivers and buses to a market for honey and fruits sought by foreign and local workers on the SGR. The swelling population has brought with it a high demand for portable water and vegetables.

Being a favorite spot for truck drivers ferrying goods from Mombasa to Nairobi and other inland destinations making it very suitable for Hotels, residential developments. The area has good red soil, water and electricity easily accessible, ideal for farming, settling and speculation.

Original story was written by Joe Ombuor from The Standard on Sunday 6th March 2016

Know Your Basic Rights as a Tenant

Posted on June 5, 2018 Updated on June 5, 2018

Knowing your basic rights as a tenant will help you get out of any controversial situations that may arise. The topic of tenant rights is an important one for both the tenants and landlords.

No matter what situation you are in, it’s always good to know your rights to avoid getting used or taken advantage of by people. When you have the right information, you feel confident tackling any issue and you will be in a better position to advocate for your interests. Below are some of the basic rights you should be aware of as a tenant.

Tenant Rights When You Move In. 

1. Right to Live in a Habitable House: You have the right to be in a place that’s comfortable and liveable. The landlord should make sure that his property is in good condition and make it easier for you to live there. For example, if there is a problem with the wiring, water supply, lighting or electricity, he needs to fix them either before you move in or make sure that it is sorted as soon as possible.

2.  Right to Maintenance: If you come across anything that is broken and needs fixing, it is your right as a tenant to make a maintenance request to have it sorted by the landlord. He should make all the necessary repairs when you make a request from him. Avoid making major repairs on your own because the landlord may not want any changes done on his property. This might reduce your deposit amount when you decide to move out.

3.  Right to Privacy: Once you move in, the landlord can’t enter your property without your consent. It doesn’t matter what they are trying to do, they need to have your permission before they can access your house. The only exception would be if there is an emergency such as a fire.

4. Right to Safety: The landlord should make sure that the doors, windows, and locks work properly to ensure your safety. If you want to add extra locks, you have the right to do so and request.

Tenant Rights When You Move Out

1. Right to Get Your Deposit Back At the end of your lease, you have the right to get back your deposit. The duration your landlord might take to return it will depend on what it states in your tenancy agreement. If the landlord doesn’t return the full amount, you can request for a list on how the other portion was spent.

2. Right to Know Why You’re Evicted: If the landlord decides to send you an eviction notice, you have the right to know the reason behind it especially if it is not stated in your lease agreement. The registered owner may issue a notice to the occupiers of the property and serve the notice not less than 3 months before the date of the intended eviction.  Eviction may arise due to rental payment issues.

3. Right To End Your Lease Agreement If you no longer want to continue residing in your house, you have the right to move out and serve notice. Either party can end the lease depending on what is stated in your tenancy agreement.

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Centum to lead Sh25bn Nanyuki railway project

Posted on May 29, 2018

Rich aristocrats and monied Kenyans are flocking Nanyuki to buy holiday homes as the town becomes the latest attraction.

The landscape of the town which serves as the headquarters of Laikipia County has changed from sprawling ranches to beautiful mansions ensconced in lush green estates. They are holiday homes, the growing estate niche in the  county.

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Since 2015, more than seven property firms have applied to build dozens of holiday homes.

It is no longer “Mwisho wa reli (end of the railway line) as the town was known.

SUCCESS STORIES

In the mid 1990s, Mr Julius Wahome would make good money selling tomatoes from his three-acre farm in Laikipia to Mombasa using the Nairobi-Nanyuki railway line.

The business was so good that he invested enough money and secured a bank loan to buy a plot and a personal car.

But the business has since declined following the collapse of the railway. Like Mr Wahome, several farmers have either stopped cultivating fresh agriculture produce or abandoned their farms altogether.

“We had formed a group of farmers from Laikipia and Nyeri after identifying good markets for tomatoes and French beans in Mombasa,” recalls Mr Wahome, whose farm is in Matanya, Laikipia East. He says they would load fresh produce into wagons at different railway stations between Nanyuki in Laikipia and Karatina in Nyeri County.

He is among farmers and business people in Mount Kenya region who have welcomed plans to revive the railway line that collapsed in 2005. It had been abandoned earlier during the reign of President Moi but then Transport Minister John Michuki invigorated it in 2004. After Mr Michuki was transferred to Internal Security docket the following year, the revived railway stalled.

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

Investment company Centum Ltd is being lined up to play the leading role in the proposed Sh25 billion revamping of the Nairobi-Nanyuki railway line.

 

Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu told the Sunday Nation that other players in the project are the central government, Kenya Railway Corporation (KRC) and 10 county governments in Mt Kenya region.