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Rent reminder SMS templates for Kenyan landlords

By the Kodi team · Updated 25 October 2026

A short, polite SMS the day rent is late solves most arrears. Copy a template below, fill in the brackets and send. Each one fits in a single SMS or close to it.

Before the due date (friendly heads-up)

Hello [Name], a reminder that rent of KES [amount] for [month] is due on [date]. Pay via [Paybill/Till, account]. Thank you.
Habari [Jina], kodi ya KES [kiasi] ya mwezi wa [mwezi] inatakiwa kufikia tarehe [tarehe]. Lipa kupitia [njia]. Asante.

On the due date

Good morning [Name]. Today is rent day for [month]: KES [amount]. Please pay via [method] and send me the M-Pesa code. Thanks.
Habari za asubuhi [Jina]. Leo ni siku ya kulipa kodi ya [mwezi]: KES [kiasi]. Tafadhali lipa kupitia [njia] na unitumie msimbo wa M-Pesa. Asante.

One or two days late

Hello [Name], we have not yet received rent for [month] (KES [amount]). Kindly pay today via [method], or let me know when to expect it. Thank you.
Habari [Jina], hatujapokea kodi ya [mwezi] (KES [kiasi]). Tafadhali lipa leo kupitia [njia] au nijulishe utalipa lini. Asante.

Balance outstanding

Hello [Name], your rent balance is KES [balance]. Please clear it by [date] via [method]. Reply if you need to discuss. Thank you.
Habari [Jina], salio la kodi yako ni KES [salio]. Tafadhali lipa kufikia [tarehe] kupitia [njia]. Jibu ikiwa unahitaji kujadili. Asante.

Firm but fair (more than a week late)

Dear [Name], your rent of KES [balance] is now [days] days overdue. Please pay by [date] or contact me to agree a plan. We want to keep this friendly. Thank you.

Payment received (confirmation)

Hello [Name], we have received KES [amount] for [month]. Your balance is KES [balance]. Thank you for paying.
Habari [Jina], tumepokea KES [kiasi] ya kodi ya [mwezi]. Salio lako ni KES [salio]. Asante kwa kulipa.

Tips that get better results

  • Name the exact amount and the way to pay. Vague reminders get vague replies.
  • Be polite every time, including the firm one. A calm tone keeps good tenants.
  • Keep a record of what you sent and when.
  • Confirm every payment. Tenants who get a thank-you tend to pay on time next month.

Not sure of the exact figure? Use the free rent arrears calculator; it also writes the SMS for you.

Frequently asked questions

How long can a rent reminder SMS be?

A standard SMS is 160 characters. Longer messages are split into parts and charged as more than one SMS, so keep reminders short.

When should I send the first reminder?

A day or two before the due date as a gentle heads-up, and again the day after if it has not arrived.

Should reminders be in English or Kiswahili?

Use the language your tenant is most comfortable with. Both sets are below.

With Kodi you do not type these one by one. Reminders go out on the day you choose, only to tenants who still owe, with each person’s own name, house and balance filled in, and a confirmation goes out every time you record a payment. SMS costs KES 2 per message. See SMS rent reminders.

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