Lagos State, though small, remains one of Nigeria’s most populous State. It is often a first choice for people seeking to move from rural areas of other Nigerian States. One may never understand the craze for living in Lagos despite the day-to-day hustles of Lagosians especially Traffic.

It is always exciting to consider renting a house in Lagos because it can almost be called Nigeria’s “New York City” where everybody is proud to call home; and those who don’t live there are regarded as “lower class”.

However, even with the help of an agent or “agents” (for the impatient ones), it can be a very challenging adventure to find a house in Lagos if you want to consider some vital things. The reason is because any landlord can place a placard outside his house, advertising a free space for rent and you can find this absolutely anywhere in Lagos.

If you think about it this way, houses are easy to find, then. However, If you must get a good apartment, putting into consideration a lot of things which will work in your best interest, then you know you cannot afford to just walk into any house with a “to let” placard and pay the cheapest price.

Here are NINE things to know before renting a house in Lagos:

1. It is risky to be hasty in your choice

Some people wait until their rent at a former apartment has expired or until their quit notice takes effect before they begin house hunting for another apartment. This will lead to making hasty decisions that may not turn out to be the perfect decision at the end of the day.

In Lagos, there has been cases of people moving from “the village” in different parts of the country, who come to Lagos stranded because they moved in, hoping there’ll be a miraculous house for rent somewhere.

Making hasty decisions in the choice of a new house will lead to getting the wrong house because if all the remaining eight steps must be duly followed to get an apartment in Lagos, they must not be done in haste. From getting an agent to choosing a good location and even to making payment for the house, haste is a “no-no”.

2. Have a Clear Idea of The House You Want to Rent

Having a clear plan on the type of apartment you want to rent will guide you in your choices and in the remaining steps. You need to make a decision on whether you want a two-bedroom apartment, a room apartment, a mini-flat, a duplex or any other house of your choice.

This will guide you in house hunting and with the help of an agent, you will know where and where not to check out. Having a clear idea of the kind of house you want will also save you time and energy of checking every available house and changing budgets per time.

3. Location Matters

Many things should be put into consideration before choosing a location for your new house. This could be another topic entirely. There are a myriad of things that must be considered before the location of your house is chosen.

As a business man, businesswoman or a 9-to-5 worker, you do not want to live in a place so far away from your work place that the journey everyday feels like travelling. Another thing to consider when choosing the location for your new apartment is the remoteness of the area.

Do you want to live in a remote area? It may be the cheapest but is it something you can cope with as a new resident? You also want to consider how close the apartment is to the major market. For cooking, shopping and other purchases, you want to make sure you check out the proximity of the major market to your new apartment, the proximity of your new apartment to your workplace and the remoteness of the area. In choosing your new location, it is also important to know that the location of a house largely affects the price.

A mini flat in the Lekki area of Lagos will not be the same price with a mini flat in the Oshodi area of Lagos. The price of an apartment will be affected by the location of the apartment.

4. Know Your Budget

If you must get a new apartment, you must have a budget and be willing to work with it. After you must have known your location and decided on the kind of house you want to rent (e.g mini flat, duplex, e.t.c), you must fix a budget and stick with it. While preparing your budget, there are a few things to put into consideration. These necessities include: Cost of renting, agency fee (where applicable), repainting, repair and furnishing costs, tenancy agreements, e.t.c.

It can be financially tasking to rent a house in Lagos. However, with the right budget and with the right knowledge of your location, you’re good to go. It is important to note however that you may need to exceed your budget in cases where you have put every factor into consideration and you have no choice.

5. Know Your Rights

This may be coming as a fifth point, but it is safe to say it is the most important. It is good to know your essential rights as a tenant under the law of Lagos State. The law stipulates, for example that the landlord has no right to interfere with the activities of the tenant inside the rented apartment.

The landlord also has responsibilities to perform as much as the tenant does. The rights of the landlord must also be protected as much as the rights of the tenant. Before renting a house in Lagos, you need to get yourself acquainted with the Tenancy act/law and the Constitution for Lagos state. This is because the laws guiding tenancy in Lagos, supersedes some of the clauses stated in the tenancy agreement.

Regrettably, most tenants are totally ignorant or unaware of their rights.

6. Know Your Prospective Neighbourhood

It may be difficult to believe that there is a need to understand your neighbourhood no matter how good the house may seem. However, it remains a valid fact. When renting a house in Lagos, you’ll want to know the kind of neighbourhood you’re about to move into.

Some neighbourhoods are extremely noisy. Some houses are built near bars and clubhouses that are make it almost impossible to have quiet moments in your house. You also want to know if the neighbourhood is a gated estate or an open area. In getting a new apartment, you must know the kind of neighbourhood you’ll like to live in. This is way different from the kind of house you want.

7. Know Your Landlord

This is one important step that should not be missed. In Lagos, there are cases of agents inflating prices of houses without the knowledge of the landlords. Knowing your landlord/meeting him one on one especially before making payment, will help you avoid the schemes of these dubious agents.

You may also want to check around the house and ask current tenants about your prospective landlord. If you have the opportunity to meet your landlord and have a good conversation with him, do so.

8. Know the Tenancy Agreement Thoroughly

As expected when signing a document, it is important to take time to read through the document. The process of renting a house should not be rushed. This is why you shouldn’t wait to be homeless before getting an apartment; such apartments will be gotten in a haste and may turn out to be a terrible decision.

Take out time to go through the Tenancy Agreement thoroughly before signing that document. Whatever you put a signature on means that you accept it and can be used against you at any given time.

9. A Receipt is Non-negotiable

This is as important as every other aforementioned factor. This must not be ignored. After making the necessary payment required to rent your new property, ensure you collect your receipt. A receipt serves as proof that you paid for the property and you are permitted to stay for as long as your payment lasts.

Your receipt should include your name as well as that of the landlord, the date of payment, amount paid, the location of the property and length of time the payment should last.


You must have heard that “Information is key” and “knowledge is power”; indeed it cannot be overemphasized. Irrespective of whether you are involving an agent or not, when you go house-hunting, you must know all of the above if you seek to have a great experience in your new home.