Stop paying 3 months upfront. Get a deposit loan from 3% APR and spread your rental deposit over 3-12 months. Available for Nairobi properties.
Updated April 2026 · Licensed by CBK
🇰🇪 Deposit Loan · Move in with 1 month's rent
In Nairobi, most landlords demand 2-3 months' rent upfront as deposit (e.g., KSh 150,000-300,000 for a KSh 75,000 apartment). For many families and young professionals, this is an impossible barrier. The SmartMove Deposit Loan changes that: you move in by paying just ONE month's rent, and we finance the deposit over 3-12 months at as low as 3% APR.
Traditional deposit
KSh 225,000
3 months × KSh 75,000
Due upfront in cash
SmartMove deposit loan
KSh 75,000
1 month rent upfront
Remaining KSh 150,000 financed
Monthly repayment (12 months, 3% APR): KSh 12,700
Total interest: ~KSh 2,400 only
A deposit loan (also called rent deposit financing) is a short-term loan that covers your rental deposit – typically 2 months' rent. Instead of paying KSh 200,000+ upfront, you pay just 1 month's rent to move in, and repay the deposit portion in affordable installments over 3-12 months. SmartMove partners with licensed lenders to offer this exclusively to our customers.
| Scenario | Upfront cash needed | Monthly outflow | Total extra cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional (3 months deposit) | KSh 225,000 | KSh 75,000 (rent only) | KSh 0 |
| SmartMove loan (12 months, 3% APR) | KSh 75,000 | KSh 75,000 rent + KSh 12,700 loan = KSh 87,700 | ~KSh 2,400 interest |
| Bank personal loan (15% APR) | KSh 75,000 | KSh 75,000 + KSh 13,500 = KSh 88,500 | ~KSh 12,000 interest |
Key insight: For just ~KSh 2,400 extra over a full year, you preserve KSh 150,000 in cash for furniture, moving services, school fees, or emergencies.
SmartMove deposit loan is designed to be inclusive. Basic criteria:
No collateral required. No co-signer needed for amounts under KSh 150,000.
Our partner lenders offer 3% APR (Annual Percentage Rate) for 12-month loans – one of the lowest in Kenya for unsecured consumer loans. For comparison:
Example: Borrow KSh 150,000 for 12 months at 3% APR = total interest ~KSh 2,400 (less than a dinner for two).
| Provider | Interest (APR) | Approval time | Collateral |
|---|---|---|---|
| SmartMove | 3% | 1-4 hours | None |
| Traditional bank | 13-18% | 3-7 days | Usually required |
| Sacco | 9-12% | 2-5 days | Shares as collateral |
| Mobile app loan | 50-120% | Minutes | None |
Check your deposit loan eligibility in 2 minutes. No commitment.
Does SmartMove give the loan directly?
SmartMove facilitates the loan through our licensed lending partners. We negotiate the 3% APR exclusively for our customers.
What happens if I move out before repaying the loan?
You remain responsible for the remaining balance. The deposit is refunded by your landlord to the lender at end of tenancy (minus any deductions).
Will this affect my CRB rating?
Timely repayments improve your credit score. Late payments are reported to CRB like any other loan.
Can I use the deposit loan for any property in Nairobi?
Yes – all properties listed on SmartMove or verified through our agents qualify. We currently serve Nairobi, Kiambu, and Machakos counties.
SmartMove guarantee
If your deposit loan application is rejected, we'll help you find a property within your budget that requires lower deposit (some landlords accept 1+1).
SmartMove Finance Team
Licensed digital credit provider. Regulated by CBK.
Related reading
Questions about moving, deposit loans, or home services? We're here to help.
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