Most students and low-income earners are always looking for low budget houses where they can settle while saving a few coins. As a renter in this category, though, which low-budget house should you choose between an SQ, a bedsitter, or a studio apartment?
If you’ve lived in Nairobi as long as I have (or longer), I’m sure you’re familiar with these three types of houses. They are the cheapest rental units you can find, with rent typically 30–50% lower than a one-bedroom house.
rent varies with location. In South B, Nairobi, a bedsitter within an apartment costs 15,000–18,000
In this post, I’ve outlined the key differences between an SQ unit, a bedsitter, and a studio apartment. I’ve had some experience with all three during my years as a tenant and when I worked as a caretaker. Feel free to ask any related question.
An Overview of the Three Low-Budget Houses
Bedsitter, studio, and SQ are terms you’ll frequently come across when looking for budget-friendly houses for rent in Nairobi and Kikuyu. Some tenants use these terms interchangeably, but they vary significantly in features and functionality.
When renting, most students only need a small space to sleep and store a few belongings. The same applies to young adults who are starting life on their own (after graduation) or who simply prefer minimalistic living.
Like I’ve just said, the cost of renting a bedsitter, studio, or SQ is generally lower than renting a 1 bedroom house in the same neighborhood. This is the main reason these units are ideal for students and single young men and women who are budget-conscious.
Out of the three, bedsitters and studio apartments are the most commonly confused. Bedsitters are more common in Kenya because they are considerably cheaper, but many Kenyans still end up paying more for fancy bedsitters marketed as studios.
Below is a breakdown of the main differences between these various low budget houses:
| SQ | Bedsitter | Studio Apartment | |
| Average Rent | Ksh 8,000 – 14,000 | Ksh 15,000 – 18,000 | 18,000 – 23,000 |
| Availability | Main house extension | Apartment or main house extension | Apartment |
| Type of Floor Plan | Open floor plan | Open floor plan | Open floor plan |
| Dedicated Kitchen Area | Not always | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Kitchen Countertop | No | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Kitchen Cabinets | No | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Bathroom | Not always | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated Sleeping Space Partition | No | No | Yes |
1. Low Budget SQ Houses
An SQ (servant quarter) house is the cheapest unit in this category. As the name suggests, it was originally designed for domestic staff, usually at the back of the main house (mansionette). Modern homes may place the SQ unit on the side instead, though.
Floor Plan of an SQ
Since they were originally domestic staff quarters, SQ houses are limited in features. For this reason, they are relatively smaller than a bedsitter or studio in most cases.
The floor plan of an SQ is basically a single room meant for a bed and perhaps a shoe rack, a small office desk, or a TV stand. They may have a dedicated cooking area (a raised platform) or none at all. Then, the bathroom may be built-in or outside as a common facility.
Furthermore, the bathroom usually combines both the shower and toilet. Depending on the property owner, the toilet may be the sitting or squatting type, while the shower may be cold or hot.
Tip: I’ve stayed in five different SQ units—two of them when I was a caretaker and the others when I was starting a new life. The layout was exactly as I’ve described.
Rental Cost of an SQ
The monthly rent of an SQ unit varies with location. In South B, Nairobi—where these types of houses are common—the rent can range from 8,000 to 14,000. The exact cost depends on the available features and the owner.
Three of the five SQ units I stayed in were free of charge—two as staff quarters during my caretaking tenure and the other through the generosity of a good friend. For the other two SQs I personally rented, the monthly charge was 13,000, inclusive of all amenities and services (water, electricity, garbage collection, and security).
While cheap, SQ rentals can have strict policies from the owner of the main house. But I was okay with all the rules, so I never had a fallout with any of the property owners.
2. Low Budget Bedsitter Houses
A bedsitter is like an improved SQ. It has become popular in Kenya, especially among students and young single adults, due to its affordability and functionality.
Bedsitter houses are predominantly available in rental apartments, but you may also find them as extensions of a main house (mansionette).
Floor Plan of a Bedsitter
Bedsitters are essentially enhanced SQ units. They comprise an open floor plan—one multipurpose, self-contained room. The kitchen area features a countertop, cabinets, a sink with a faucet, and a high-current socket (for a kettle, microwave, or oven).
Beyond the kitchen, the remaining space is open for you to organize however you prefer for resting and sleeping. How well you can arrange the room depends on its size and your belongings. In most cases, it’s spacious enough for a couch, TV stand, bed, and shoe rack.
Many bedsitters now include a built-in wardrobe, but some may not. They may also have a private balcony (not all).
As a self-contained room, a bedsitter includes a built-in bathroom. The bathroom will have a hot shower, sink with faucet, washing tap, and a toilet (either sitting or squatting type).
Rental Cost of a Bedsitter
The monthly rent of a bedsitter varies with location. In South B, Nairobi, a bedsitter within an apartment costs 15,000–18,000, depending on the design, available features, and the property owner or management. This cost may cover other charges, or you may need to pay them separately.
For instance, after my rental SQ got too cramped, I moved into a bedsitter for 15,000 per month. In this apartment, the 15K covered rent, garbage collection, and security. I only had to pay extra for water (metered) and electricity (prepaid meter, of course).
Unlike SQs, bedsitters don’t have strict rules—just the basic ones applicable to any rental house. These policies are usually included in the lease agreement you sign when paying your deposit.
Some bedsitters may require you to pay a lease agreement fee (2–20% of rent), while others may not.
3. Low Budget Studio Houses
A studio unit is supposedly an upgrade of a bedsitter. However, many rental houses in Kenya use the term studio to refer to a larger bedsitter with modern finishes—such as luxury paint, flooring, wooden cabinets, lighting, and gypsum boards. The name is borrowed from rental markets abroad, where bedsitters are uncommon.
That said, some modern bedsitters now come in larger sizes and with luxury finishes too. For this reason, a few property owners in Kenya distinguish their studio apartments by separating the sleeping or kitchen space with a half wall.
Floor Plan of a Studio Apartment
The layout of studio units varies with the apartment. Most apartments have a large, self-contained room with an open floor plan. This usually includes a spacious kitchen area with a modern countertop, wall cabinets, and a wardrobe.
For apartments that want to distinguish studios from bedsitters, the studio may include a half wall to separate the sleeping space from the kitchen and living area. You may also have a private balcony, though it’s not guaranteed.
Regardless of the layout, a studio apartment includes a built-in bathroom with a hot shower, a ceramic sink with a faucet, and a sitting toilet. The size and features of the bathroom vary with the apartment.
Rental Cost of a Studio Apartment
The monthly rent of studio apartments varies with the location. In South B, Nairobi, studios with a half-wall sleeping partition cost 18,000 to 23,000. However, because South B is largely a middle-class residential estate targeting low-income earners, studio units are quite rare. Bedsitters and SQs are the most common.
Key Takeaway
If you’re a student or low earner, SQ units, bedsitters, and studio apartments are a great way to save money. An SQ is the cheapest of the three, but it has the smallest floor plan and stricter tenancy policies. So, you should only consider it if you have a small budget, minimal belongings, and you’re comfortable with the owners rules.
For more space and privacy, a bedsitter or studio apartment is a better option—though you’ll need to pay more, especially for additional features.
Get the Low Budget House That Meets Your Needs
Need a low budget house, but don’t have time to hunt for one? At JOSFA HOMES, we can help you find an SQ, bedsitter, or studio apartment that meets your needs. Simply reach out through our Contact Us Form or Call/ WhatsApp at +254 111206245 or email us at info@josfahomes.com.
