Renting an apartment is one of the biggest financial decisions many Nigerians make. Whether you’re a student, a young professional, a growing family, or a business owner, paying rent often requires parting with your hard-earned money.
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Some problems require extra money to fix, while others cannot be fixed at all. Issues like leaking roofs, unstable electricity, noisy surroundings, poor water supply, or unexpected charges can quickly turn what felt like a dream apartment into a daily source of frustration. This is why inspection before paying rent is necessary.
The truth is that most people don’t intentionally skip checks. Many problems simply don’t come to mind during apartment hunting, especially when an agent is rushing the process or assuring you that everything works. Some only become obvious when you test things yourself or start living there. That is why inspecting an apartment before paying rent is not optional. It is necessary. Pictures and brief conversations with agents rarely tell the full story.
Krent is a real estate platform in Nigeria. Whether you're looking to buy, rent, or short let a house, apartment, land, or commercial space, check out our listings. You can also request specific properties.
This apartment inspection checklist is designed to help you avoid regret, ensure all details are confirmed, protect your money, and allow you to rent with confidence.
To make apartment hunting easier, Krent App Limited has created a seamless and easy way to do this. Krent empowers tenants to book comprehensive physical or virtual inspections directly through their app, which has a seamless interface, ensuring that what you see is what you get. By providing verified listings and transparent property details, Krent eliminates the guesswork and the agent-related anxiety common in house hunting.
Protect your peace of mind and your hard-earned money. Download Krent today on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store (iOS).
Before you pay rent anywhere in Nigeria, use this Krent Safety checklist.
1. Safety & Building Condition
The first thing to assess during any inspection is the overall safety and physical condition of the building. An apartment may look beautiful, but still have serious structural and safety problems that can be overlooked.
Start your inspection by carefully examining the walls, ceilings, and floors. Look for cracks, especially around doors, windows, and corners. While small hairline cracks are common, wide or spreading cracks may indicate a bigger structural problem that could later become a safety issue. Beyond the structure, check for damp patches, peeling paint, or mould. These are red flags often pointing to water issues such as poor waterproofing, a bad drainage system, or leaking pipes.
Since leaking roofs can be difficult to identify during the dry season, inspect the ceiling for water stains or sagging areas, as these can serve as indicators. This step is important if the apartment is on the top floor, as it ensures you won’t be caught off guard by a flooded living room when rain arrives.
In Nigeria’s rainy season, leaking roofs can quickly destroy furniture, electronics, and personal belongings. Ask the landlord or agent directly if the roof has ever leaked and who is responsible for fixing it if that happens.
With the increasing cases of fire outbreaks and other emergencies across Nigeria, emergency exit is just as important. During your inspection, ensure that staircases are clear and not blocked by personal belongings, inverters, and generators; these are mostly for flats and apartment buildings.
Pay close attention to the staircase; it should be firm, stable, and securely fixed, not loose or shaky. In apartment buildings and blocks of flats, confirm that the emergency exits are clearly defined and accessible to residents in the event of a fire or emergency.
Security is a major concern for tenants across Nigeria and should never be overlooked during apartment hunting, even if there is a security man and a gate. Start by checking that the main entrance door is solid and well-built, with no shaky hinges, squeaky sounds, or signs of weakness.
Confirm that all door locks are good, both from inside and outside the apartment, and that keys turn without force. Bad locks can compromise your safety.
Windows should also be checked, especially in ground-floor apartments or units close to staircases or balconies. Ensure they are burglar-proofed.
Ask the landlord or agent whether tenants are allowed to change the locks or add extra security measures. While a building may be located in a good neighbourhood, poor security can still expose tenants to significant risks.
2. Plumbing Checks
Plumbing problems are arguably among the most common and most frustrating issues tenants face after moving in.
It is important that you test all taps and toilets. Do not rely on assurances from agents. If there is no running water, ask them to come back another day when they can guarantee water in the apartment. Certain water taps to check include: Kitchen taps, Bathroom taps, Shower heads, Toilets (flush multiple times)
Look out for leaks, weak water flow, slow drainage, and strange noises.
Look out for the water pressure of the apartment. Low water pressure can make daily activities stressful. An easy way to test this would be to turn on multiple taps at once to see if the pressure drops drastically, ask whether water runs constantly or only during certain hours, if water reaches the apartment, and ask about the pumping machine: is it shared or per apartment and what is the pumping situation like?
There are cases where those on the upper floors suffer poor water pressure due to the pumping systems.
Inspect areas under sinks, behind toilets, and around exposed pipes for Rust, mould, damp cabinets, and swollen wood. These signs might indicate past or existing leaks.
One crucial question many tenants forget to ask is: Who pays for plumbing issues? Clarify whether tenants are responsible for minor leaks, if the landlord replaces damaged pipes, and whether any maintenance fees cover plumbing issues.
3) Electrical Checks
Electricity problems can disrupt daily life, damage appliances, and increase living costs. Test All Sockets and Switches
Carry a small appliance like your phone charger and test all wall sockets, light switches, fans, and outdoor lighting, if applicable.
The electricity bill is a major issue in Nigeria. Confirm if the apartment has a dedicated prepaid meter or if electricity is shared. Shared meters can often lead to disputes and exploitation. If need be, speak to existing tenants to get more insight on how the electricity bill is handled.
When inspecting a potential apartment, the voltage stability is another item not on many tenants’ checklists until it is too late. It is highly recommended to speak with existing tenants or neighbours to determine if the local transformer suffers from fluctuations or if there is a history of electricity surges damaging household appliances. Understanding whether a stabiliser is essential for daily living can save you from the high unexpected costs of repairing or replacing sensitive electronics, such as refrigerators and televisions, which are often the first victims of unstable power supply.
Exposed wires, overloaded distribution boards, or suspicious connections may indicate illegal wiring or bypassing.
4).Power & Water Realities
Beyond technical checks, it is important to understand the living situation in the area, as this also impacts your comfort and cost of living. Ask whether there is a borehole, how often water runs, if water is rationed among tenants, if it is drinkable, and whether there is a proper water storage, such as tanks. In some apartments, water is only available a few days each week, which can be extremely inconvenient and may significantly increase living costs.
Power supply is another critical factor to consider. Since electricity is inconsistent in many parts of Nigeria, find out if the building has a generator, ask how many hours the generator is allowed to run daily, whether generator usage is included in the service charge or paid for separately, and if there are specific quiet hours.
It is also wise to understand the general power supply pattern in the area. Rather than relying only on the agent’s assurances, speak with neighbours or nearby shop owners to learn how the light is in the area, and if the area is on a relatively stable power supply. Having a clear picture of the power situation helps you plan realistically.
5). Environment and Noise Levels
The location and environment can have a major impact on your comfort and quality of life, so they should also be taken into consideration. Try to visit the apartment at different times of the day, morning, afternoon, evening, and night, to get a true sense of the environment. Pay attention to noise from nearby nightclubs or bars, mosques or churches, busy roads, and generators within or around the building. An area that feels calm during the day may become noisy and uncomfortable at night.
Flood risk is another important environmental factor to consider. During the rainy season, some areas become difficult or completely inaccessible due to poor drainage and flooding. It is ok to ask if the area experiences flooding, and check the condition of drainage systems around the building to see if they have gutters. Flooding can damage vehicles and household items, disrupt daily movement, and even pose serious health risks.
You should also think about how the apartment’s location fits into your daily routine. Consider your commute time, traffic during peak hours, and how close the property is to essential services such as schools, markets, hospitals, and public transportation. While a cheaper apartment may seem attractive at first, long distances and heavy traffic can lead to higher transport costs, lost time, and increased stress over time.
6). Landlord and Tenant Rules
Every landlord has different rules, and ignoring them can lead to problems later.
Some apartments have a visitor limit, which can be the number of visitors allowed, overnight stay, parking accommodations for guests, and having parties in the building; others have a closing time for their gate. Knowing the rules beforehand allows you to decide if you can live with them and if they align with your lifestyle.
You also need to ask if you can repaint the walls, install shelves, mount TVs or air conditioners, and if there are cost implications for adjusting and tampering, so you don’t lose your caution fee. Some landlords require you to restore the apartment to its original state.
It is important to request a service charge breakdown. Hidden costs are one of the most annoying things any new tenant can face; request a detailed breakdown of service charges, including Security, Cleaning, Waste disposal, Generator maintenance, Water supply and others.
Avoid vague “all-inclusive” charges without explanation.
7). Documents to Confirm
Never pay rent without receiving proper documentation. Your tenancy agreement should state your rent amount, duration of stay, renewal agreement, notice period, and responsibilities of both parties to each other. Read everything carefully before signing.
Collect all your receipts and ensure that they show the amount paid, the period, and the date payment was received. This protects you legally.
Once again, ask about all hidden charges, what the total package involves, rent, renewal amount, agency fee, caution, legal, maintenance and others. So after paying, no surprises creep up and affect your budgeting.
How Krent Helps Tenants Inspect Apartments
Apartment hunting doesn’t have to be stressful.
Krent App Limited is transforming how Nigerians rent homes. You can book an inspection through the Krent App, opt for a virtual tour of the apartment, schedule a physical inspection, and coordinate with verified agents who have verified listings confirmed by the Krent team. This eliminates high agency fees, minimizes scams, and saves time.
Krent provides clarity around rent breakdowns, utilities, and property details so tenants can make informed decisions. For a safer and smarter renting experience, use Krent to browse verified apartments, book inspections, and explore virtual tours where available.
The Krent App is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store (iOS), making apartment search and inspection safer and more efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
(1) What should I check before paying rent in Nigeria?
Victoria Island has a number of nightlife spots including upscale clubs like Quilox, Vaniti, The Library Lagos and many more, all within a short distance in Victoria Island.
(2) How do I know if an apartment has good water and electricity?
Test taps and toilets during inspection, ask about boreholes, confirm if there is a prepaid meter, and speak with existing tenants about it.
(3) Is virtual inspection enough before renting a house?
Virtual inspection is helpful. However, a physical inspection is recommended before final payment. Krent supports both options.
(4) Can I book apartment inspections online in Nigeria?
Yes. With Krent App Limited, you can book apartment inspections online. The app is live on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store (iOS).
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Conclusion:
Paying rent without proper inspection is one of the costliest mistakes a tenant can make. Many rental problems, such as poor water supply, unstable electricity, noise, or hidden charges, can be avoided simply by checking the right things before payment. Use this apartment inspection checklist as your protection against regret. Take your time, ask questions, and never feel pressured to rush into a decision.
Browse apartments today on the Krent App, available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store (iOS).