Shortlet mistakes usually don’t happen because people are careless. They happen because bookings are rushed, assumptions are made, and verification is skipped. This guide breaks down the most common shortlet booking mistakes people make in Nigeria and how to avoid them.
Shortlets have become the go-to option for many Nigerians and visitors who want comfort, flexibility, and a bit of privacy while travelling. Whether it’s for a work trip, a wedding weekend, a staycation, or a quick getaway, booking a shortlet often feels easier, more homely, and faster than hotels. You see nice pictures, the price looks reasonable, and you just want to lock it down and move on.
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Unfortunately, this is exactly how many people end up regretting their booking. By the time the issues show up, power problems, double bookings, poor location, or strange house rules, you’re already in the city, tired, and stuck with the apartment.
If you verify properly and book smart, shortlets can create the most wonderful, smooth and stress-free travel experience for you. And when you book through platforms like Krent, where listings and hosts are verified, many of these risks are reduced from the start.
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.
Booking Without Proper Verification
One of the biggest mistakes people make is booking a shortlet based solely on pictures found on a website, Instagram, or WhatsApp. The apartment looks clean, modern, and well-lit in the photos, so it feels safe to assume everything is fine. The furniture looks stylish, the walls are spotless, and the lighting gives the space a warm, inviting feel. In reality, pictures can be outdated, heavily filtered, borrowed from another property, or completely unrelated to the actual apartment being offered. What you see online is often the best version, not the most accurate one.
Many people don’t ask for a proper video walkthrough before making a payment. A real-time or recently recorded video shows details that pictures often hide, such as cramped rooms, poor ventilation, low water pressure, noisy surroundings, or unfinished fittings. It also helps confirm that the apartment truly exists and matches the description. When a host or agent avoids sending videos, delays repeatedly or keeps making excuses, that hesitation is already a warning sign that something may be wrong.
Another major issue is the absence of reviews or proof anywhere. If you cannot find a single review from other guests who have stayed there before, no visible booking history, no testimonials, no tagged guests, and no third-party confirmation, that is a risky apartment. Without feedback from previous guests, it becomes difficult to judge the reliability, comfort, or honesty. Once payment is made, there is often little leverage if the apartment turns out to be very different from what was promised.
Verification matters because shortlet scams are rarely obvious at the beginning. They rely on speed, excitement, urgency, and the assumption that “it will be fine.” In many cases, it isn’t. Taking extra time to verify can be the difference between a smooth stay and a costly disappointment.
Last-Minute Bookings and Rushed Decisions
Booking a shortlet at the last minute immediately puts you at a disadvantage. Prices are often higher, available options are fewer, and you are more likely to settle for something you would normally reject. When travel dates are very close, people become impatient and pressured by time. That pressure makes it easier to compromise on factors that you wouldn’t usually do, like quality, location, personal preference, safety, and overall comfort, just to secure a place to stay.
In busy cities like Lagos and Abuja, last-minute bookings increase the risk of a bad trip even more. The best apartments are usually booked days or weeks in advance by people who planned ahead. What remains closer to the date are often listings with unresolved maintenance issues, poor management, misleading descriptions, or unreliable hosts. At that point, you are not choosing the best option available; you are simply choosing from what is left.
Rushed decisions also reduce your ability to verify properly. When you are booking the night before arrival or on the same day, there is little time to request proper video walkthroughs, confirm amenities, check reviews, or ask detailed questions about the apartment. Small red flags are easier to ignore because the priority becomes closing out on the accommodation, not comfort and preference. That urgency is exactly what scammers and careless hosts rely on to push through questionable apartments.
Planning ahead gives you control. It gives you time to compare multiple listings, verify information, confirm details, and assess whether the apartment truly meets your needs. It also gives you the freedom to walk away if something does not add up, without panic or pressure. In shortlet bookings, time is both convenient and protective.
Not Checking Amenities Properly
Many shortlet disappointments come down to simple assumptions about amenities. People assume every shortlet has a 24/7 power policy, the internet will be fast, hot water will be available, game boards, Netflix, Prime, and parking will be available. Because these things feel basic, they are rarely questioned in detail. Unfortunately, assumptions are expensive, and they often turn what should be a comfortable trip into a frustrating one.
One of the most common issues is the power supply. Some apartments advertise “24/7 light,” but in reality, there is no reliable inverter or generator backup. Once public power goes off, the apartment goes dark. The issue might not be from the host; an area which usually has 24/7 power might have a National grid issue that day, and since it was never planned, you are left sweating, unable to charge devices, and sometimes forced to step out just to find electricity. What was promised as nonstop power turns out to be conditional and unreliable.
The Internet is another major problem. Hosts may say “WiFi available,” but that could mean slow, unstable, or shared internet that barely works. It might be strong enough for basic browsing but useless for remote work, video calls, or streaming. If your trip depends on staying connected, this is not something to gloss over or assume will be fine.
Parking is often overlooked until arrival. In some apartments, there is no dedicated parking space at all. In others, parking is first-come, first-serve, on the street or shared with neighbouring buildings. This quickly becomes stressful in busy or high-security areas where parking rules are strict or space is limited.
Faulty air conditioners and water heaters are also common complaints. These issues rarely show up in pictures but immediately affect comfort once you settle in. A room can look perfect and still be uncomfortable.
It is important to confirm that these amenities work in writing. Ask these questions in details what amenities work based on the listing, other amenities you are concerned about that might make your stay more comfortable, and leave no room for assumptions. Confirming these amenities in detail before booking saves you from frustration later.
Ignoring House Rules
House rules are not just formalities or fine print meant to be ignored. At the end of the day, the property is not yours, and you don’t want a vacation that ends in legal trouble. House Rules directly affect how comfortable, flexible, and stress-free your stay will be.
Some shortlets do not allow parties or gatherings of any kind, even small get-togethers. Others restrict visitors entirely or place strict limits on the number of people who can stay, or who can come in at any time. Noise restrictions are also very common, especially in serviced apartments and residential estates. Music, conversations, or movement after a certain hour may be monitored, and curfews may be enforced more strictly than expected. These rules can significantly affect your plans if you are travelling for celebrations, work meetings, or social events.
Many guests only discover these restrictions after checking in. At that point, it is often security personnel or estate management enforcing the rules, not the host. Warnings, complaints from neighbours, or penalties can come quickly. In more serious cases, violations lead to immediate eviction, sometimes without any refund. What started as a simple oversight can turn into a stressful and costly situation.
There are also hidden charges tied directly to house rules. Extra cleaning fees, penalties for damages, fines for overstaying checkout time, or charges for bringing in unauthorised guests can add up fast. If you were not aware of these rules beforehand, these fees feel unfair, even though they were technically disclosed.
Ignoring house rules does not make them disappear. It only increases the chances of conflict and disappointment. It is important to ask if there are any house rules before agreeing to the booking, so you know exactly what to expect. It prevents awkward confrontations, protects your money, and ensures that the apartment truly fits your plans and lifestyle during your stay.
Double-Booking from Agents
Double-booking is a serious issue in the shortlet space. This happens when the same apartment is promised to multiple people for the same dates, usually by agents trying to secure deposits quickly.
Victims often arrive to find someone else already checked in, or they are told to wait while the agent “sorts it out.” At that point, refunds become difficult, and alternative accommodation is usually more expensive.
Fake reservation deposits are another common tactic. An agent may claim the apartment is reserved once a deposit is paid, but there is no real booking record or confirmation.
This is why receipts and clear booking confirmations matter. Without written proof of reservation, payment alone does not guarantee anything. Insist on proper documentation to protect you if an issue arises.
Not checking location realities
Location issues don’t always show up online. An apartment may look perfect, but the surrounding area can ruin the experience.
Traffic is a major factor, especially in cities like Lagos. A shortlet that looks close on the map may take hours to reach during peak periods. This affects work, events, hangouts, and overall convenience.
Security is another concern. Some areas may be quiet during the day but unsafe at night. Without proper research, you may find yourself uncomfortable leaving or returning late.
Distance also matters. Being far from places you need to visit regularly can increase transport costs, Uber fees, and stress throughout your stay.
Why Booking Through Krent Matters
Krent exists to reduce the common risks people face when booking shortlets in Nigeria. Instead of relying on random social media listings or informal agents, Krent provides a more structured and transparent booking experience.
Hosts and apartments on Krent are verified, which reduces the risk of fake listings and double-booking. Amenities are listed clearly, ensuring guests understand exactly what they’re getting.
Where available, real pictures and videos are provided, making it easier to assess the apartment before booking. Payments are handled securely within the platform, removing the need for random transfers to personal accounts.
Krent also offers support, giving guests a way to report issues and get help when something goes wrong. While no system is perfect, booking through a verified platform significantly reduces stress and uncertainty.
Download the Krent App today on Google Playstore and Appstore.
Conclusion
Shortlet booking should be simple and stress-free, not a source of anxiety. Most problems arise when people rush, assume, or skip the verification process. By taking time to confirm details, understand rules, and choose verified platforms, you protect your money, your comfort, and your peace of mind. Shortlets can be a great experience when booked properly. Verification is what makes the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
(1 )What common mistakes do people make when booking shortlets in Nigeria?
Most people book too quickly, rely on pictures alone, skip verification, and fail to confirm amenities, rules, or ask for booking confirmation.
(2) Is it risky to book a shortlet at the last minute?
Yes. Last-minute bookings often come with all sorts of risks, from higher prices to fewer options, and a greater risk of poor-quality stays or scams.
(3) What amenities should I always confirm before booking a shortlet?
Light, internet, parking availability, air conditioning, and water supply should always be confirmed clearly.
(4) How can I avoid getting scammed or double-booked when booking a shortlet?
Book through verified platforms, like Krent, which ensures you get your Booking confirmation, allows for secure payments, and only gives you pre-vetted and verified listings.
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Renting your first home in Nigeria doesn’t have to be stressful or risky. First-time renters can protect themselves by avoiding common mistakes such as paying before inspection, ignoring total costs, relying solely on pictures, skipping written agreements, and using unverified agents.
Platforms like Krent simplify the renting journey by offering verified listings, transparent information, and secure inspection processes. By using Krent, renters can make smarter, safer, and more confident decisions, ensuring that their first rental experience is a positive one.
Visit www.krent.space or Download Krent App Limited on Google Playstore or Appstore.