Let’s be honest: renting in Lagos—or even Abuja—can be really tough. You might see a house listing online that looks like a palace, with fresh tiles and everything. But by the time you get there? The “swimming pool” is just a big pothole with dirty water, and that “spacious kitchen” can barely fit your stove.
And the physical stress is just one part of it. The real worry comes from the stories we hear every day. Imagine paying ₦3 million for a flat in Surulere, only to find out that 15 other people paid for the exact same flat. It’s scary! Or having a landlord who suddenly decides to increase the rent by 50% just because “the dollar went up.”
At NellyAni Properties, we don’t think it should be that stressful. Finding a home should be exciting, not a battle. Whether you’re looking for a 2-bedroom in Yaba or a nice duplex in Lekki, you just need to know what to look out for.
So, gather round! Let’s walk through how to navigate renting in Lagos in 2025 without getting cheated, how to dodge common traps, and how to sign a lease that actually protects you.
The Real Challenge: Why is Renting So Hard?
If you feel like rent prices have gone through the roof, you aren’t imagining it. In just 2024 alone, prices on the Lagos mainland and island went up by about 40-60%. And 2025? It hasn’t really calmed down yet.
But it’s not just the price that’s frustrating. Here’s what makes renting tricky right now:
- That Crazy Yearly Rent: Nigeria is one of the few places where landlords expect you to pay 1 or 2 years of rent upfront. That is a huge amount of cash to drop at once!
- Agency & Legal Fees: You find a house for ₦2 million, but before you know it, the Agent adds 10%, the Lawyer adds 10%, plus a “Caution Fee.” In the end, you’ve spent almost ₦3 million. It hurts.
- Service Charge Issues: You pay extra specifically for 24/7 light, but the next thing you know, the generator is broken, there’s no diesel, and the service charge has doubled in three months.
- Trust Issues: Is the agent genuine? Is the landlord actually the owner?
“I Paid For Air” – A Quick Story
Let me tell you about Chinedu. He found a sweet mini-flat in Gbagada that was incredibly cheap—₦800k. The agent, a guy named ‘Mr. Fix-It’, rushed him saying, “Three people are coming to pay right now, send the money so I can lock it down for you.” Chinedu panicked and sent the money immediately. Two days later, he went to pick up the keys… and the phone line was dead. He reached the house and met the real landlord, who had no idea who ‘Mr. Fix-It’ was. Chinedu had paid for absolutely nothing.
Please, don’t be like Chinedu. Here is how you can protect yourself.
1. How to Know if a Listing is Fake
Before you even book a ride to go check out a house, do a little detective work.
- Check the Photos: Scammers love stealing beautiful pictures from websites abroad. Use Google Reverse Image Search. If you see that “Surulere flat” listed on a property website in South Africa… run away!
- The Price Test: If you see a 3-bedroom in Ikoyi for ₦2 million… well, you should know that’s a setup. In 2025, a decent 2-bedroom on the Mainland (Yaba/Ikeja) is around ₦3m–₦4m, and the Island can easily be over ₦8m. If it’s too cheap, something is fishy.
- Don’t Pay Before Inspection: This is the Golden Rule. No “registration fee,” no “form fee,” and definitely NO RENT until you have stepped inside the house yourself.
2. The Inspection: Look Past the Paint
Landlords are great at painting a house to cover up problems. When you go for an inspection, ignore the fresh paint and check the real stuff:
- Water Pressure: Turn on the tap and flush the toilet. Does the water rush out? Is it clear or does it look like tea?
- Phone Signal: Pull out your phone. Check the signal in the bedroom and living room. You don’t want to live in a house where you have to hang out the window just to send a text message.
- Flood Marks: Look at the bottom of the gate and fence. Do you see green marks or a water line? That means the area floods when it rains. Ask the neighbors—not the agent—”How is the water situation here?”
- The Electricity: Check the prepaid meter. Is it working? Or are you about to inherit a huge unpaid bill from the previous tenant? Check it!
3. Signing the Paperwork
Many people are scared of this part. They just sign whatever the lawyer gives them. Don’t do that. You are the one paying the money!
- Check the Dates: Make sure the duration of the tenancy is correct.
- Notice Period: In Lagos, a yearly tenant usually has a right to a 6-month “Quit Notice.” Some agreements try to hide a “1 month” clause in there. Read it carefully!
- Repairs: Who fixes the roof if it leaks? Who buys the water pump? Usually, big repairs are the Landlord’s job, and small ones are yours. Make sure it’s written down.
Pro Tip: Ask for a receipt that has the LANDLORD’S full name and signature, not just the Agent’s business name.
4. Should You Rent or Buy in 2025?
This is the big question.
- Rent If: You need freedom, you’re still building up your savings, or you’re new to an area and want to test out the neighborhood first.
- Buy If: You can access a mortgage or a payment plan and you want to lock in the value. With inflation rising, owning property is often better than keeping cash in the bank.
The New Way: Monthly Rent & Technology
There is some good news! The market is changing little by little. Proptech apps are making monthly rent more normal. Even though many landlords still want bulk cash, companies like Rent Small Small are helping to bridge the gap.
At NellyAni Properties, we use technology to verify everything too. We make sure every property we list has a verified owner, so you don’t have to worry about scams.
So, What’s Your “House Hunting” Story?
Has an agent ever asked you for a “damages fee” before you even moved in? Or did you find a great house in an unexpected place?
Tell us in the comments! We want to hear your stories—it helps everyone learn.
Final Word: Don’t Rush, Just Verify
Renting a home is a big financial commitment. Don’t let any agent pressure you by saying “someone else is bringing cash right now.” Calm down. Inspect it properly. Read the paperwork.
If you are looking for verified, scam-free listings in Lagos—whether it’s a nice apartment in Ikeja or a lovely terrace in Lekki—we are here for you.
Ready to move?
👉 Chat with us on WhatsApp and we’ll arrange a viewing for our verified houses.
👉 Sign up for Property Alerts so you can be the first to know when a great deal drops.
