Hot water, cold reality: Why landlords must ditch risky showers in rentals
By Ascah Mwango, May 6, 2026Across many rental homes in Kenya, the bathroom has quietly become one of the most overlooked spaces when it comes to safety standards, even though it is one of the most frequently used areas in any household.
The widespread use of instant electric showers, commonly referred to in local conversations as “suicide showers,” has become a normal feature in many urban and peri-urban rentals because they are affordable, compact, and convenient for providing hot water.
However, behind this convenience lies a growing concern that has persisted for years, where poor installation, weak maintenance practices, and cost-cutting decisions by some landlords have turned an ordinary household appliance into a potential hazard. While the technology itself is not inherently dangerous when properly installed, the reality in many rental properties is that safety standards are often ignored or only partially implemented, leaving tenants exposed to avoidable risks that should not exist in modern housing.
The growing normalisation of unsafe electrical installations
The use of instant electric showers has expanded rapidly in Kenya’s rental market, particularly in areas where tenants expect hot water but landlords are keen to minimise construction and operational costs. These systems are designed to heat water instantly using electricity, but they require strict adherence to installation standards, including proper grounding, correct wiring capacity, and installation of safety devices that regulate electrical flow.
In practice, however, many installations fall short of these requirements due to the use of unqualified technicians, substandard materials, or rushed construction practices aimed at reducing expenses. Electrical safety professionals have repeatedly emphasised that poor earthing or inadequate insulation in such systems can lead to leakage currents, which may energise metallic parts of the shower or plumbing system, creating the risk of electric shock when a user comes into contact with them. In many rental properties, this risk is not treated with the seriousness it deserves, even though it exists silently behind walls and inside bathroom fittings.
Where landlords often fail in their responsibility
The responsibility of ensuring a safe living environment rests heavily on landlords, especially in rental properties where tenants have no control over the initial construction or installation decisions. In many cases, electric showers are installed during construction or renovation phases without proper consultation with certified electricians, resulting in systems that do not meet safety standards.
Cost-cutting often takes priority over compliance, leading to the use of low-quality wiring, incomplete grounding systems, and the absence of protective devices such as residual current circuit breakers that are designed to cut off electricity immediately in case of a fault.
Once tenants move in, maintenance is often reactive rather than preventive, meaning that potential electrical faults are only addressed after complaints arise, and even then, repairs may be temporary rather than comprehensive. This gap in responsibility creates a situation where tenants are expected to adapt to unsafe conditions instead of landlords ensuring that the infrastructure itself is safe from the outset.
The silent burden carried by tenants
For tenants, the consequences of poor electrical installations are often experienced in subtle but worrying ways that gradually become part of daily life. Many individuals living in rental houses become cautious when using electric showers, sometimes testing water temperature or observing for unusual sensations before fully using them, which reflects an underlying lack of trust in the safety of the system.
Reports of mild electric tingling sensations when touching shower knobs or metallic bathroom fittings are not uncommon in poorly installed systems, and while these may be dismissed as minor inconveniences, they are often indicators of electrical leakage that should not exist in a properly functioning system. Over time, this creates an environment where tenants must constantly be alert in what should be a safe and private space, turning a basic household routine like bathing into a moment of caution rather than comfort.
Safety standards are a basic requirement
One of the most persistent misconceptions in the rental housing sector is the idea that safety upgrades are optional features that can be added later if budget allows, when in reality, electrical safety is a fundamental requirement for any habitable home. Properly installed electric shower systems are designed with multiple safety layers, including grounding systems and automatic circuit breakers that respond instantly to electrical faults, significantly reducing the risk of shock. These systems are not advanced luxuries but standard components of safe electrical installations.
When landlords choose to omit them or install them improperly, the risk is effectively transferred from infrastructure to human beings, which is neither ethical nor acceptable in modern housing standards. A safe home is not defined only by its appearance or location but also by the reliability and safety of the systems within it.
The long-term consequences of ignoring electrical safety
While some landlords may view proper installation as an unnecessary expense, the long-term implications of neglecting electrical safety are far more costly than the initial investment.
Poor installations often lead to frequent breakdowns, repeated repair costs, and premature replacement of damaged systems, all of which could have been avoided through proper setup from the beginning.
Beyond financial costs, there is also the reputational impact on property owners who develop a history of poorly maintained units, which can affect tenant retention and demand. More importantly, there is the human cost associated with preventable accidents, which remains the most serious consequence of all. A safe electrical system protects not only property value but also the dignity and well-being of those who live within the space.
What responsible landlords should prioritise moving forward?
In 2026, responsible property ownership must involve a clear commitment to safety standards that reflect modern expectations of housing quality. Electric shower installations should only be carried out by qualified and certified electricians who understand proper grounding techniques and load management. High-quality wiring materials should be used consistently, and protective devices such as residual current circuit breakers should be installed as standard safety measures rather than optional additions.
Regular electrical inspections should also be part of routine property maintenance, ensuring that any emerging faults are identified and addressed before they become hazards. When systems become outdated or unsafe, they should be replaced rather than patched repeatedly, as temporary fixes often mask deeper structural issues that continue to pose risk.