Renting your first apartment is a major milestone, especially in Nigeria, where the rental market is constantly changing and challenging. Whether you’re moving out for work, school, marriage, or simply to gain independence, the excitement of having your own space often comes with pressure, uncertainty, and the fear of launching out.
For many first-time renters, the Nigerian market can feel overwhelming and annoying, because the renting space is made up of so many informal and non-standardised ways, not to mention the fear of scam, overpaying, or renting the wrong properties, which causes people to waste so much time and experience decision fatigue.
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If you’re renting for the first time in Nigeria, it is easy to feel a bit lost. Most first-time renters simply don’t have the experience and guidance needed to navigate the market safely. Unlike in countries where renting is more structured, Nigeria’s rental scene can feel like the wild west; listings are scattered across social media, agents working and pressuring renters without supervision, and reliable information can be hard to come by. With details sometimes missing, outdated, or even misleading, it’s no wonder many first-time renters end up making costly mistakes.
This article lists the most common mistakes first-time renters make in Nigeria, why these mistakes happen, and how to avoid them. We also explore how Krent, a verified rental platform, is helping to simplify the rental process by offering verified listings through its mobile app, now available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store (iOS).
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.
1. Paying Before Inspecting the Property
One of the most dangerous mistakes first-time renters make in Nigeria is paying for a property before seeing it in person. Many renters feel pressured to act quickly and secure a property, especially when agents or landlords are putting pressure on them to commit as the property is closing out. Phrases like “Someone else is ready to pay today,” or “If you don’t pay now, you’ll lose it,” are common tactics used to rush decision-making and make renters commit to properties they have not visited. For someone new to renting, this kind of pressure may feel normal, even expected, but it is one of the biggest red flags in the rental process.
Paying before inspecting a property is almost guaranteed to put you in a lot of problems. The apartments may look nothing like it did in the picture or online listing. There might be defects, environmental issues, and lots more not clearly stated in the description. There are cases of the property being a scam, the property is already rented out, does not exist, and now a bank and police case is causing you more problems.
Never make any payment until you are fully comfortable with the property, after inspecting it. If you cannot go yourself, send a trusted friend if the property is in a different city. Always confirm that the agent is authorised to rent the property. Platforms like Krent significantly reduce these risks by allowing renters to book inspections securely through the app, ensuring that you see exactly what you are paying for before transferring any money.
2. Trusting Pictures Alone
Pictures are often the first thing you’ll see when browsing properties, from the internet to group chats and friend listings, but relying solely on images can be misleading. In Nigeria, many listings you see are often old photographs taken years ago, edited images with enhanced lighting, AI-generated images, or even pictures of a different house in the same building. Some agents are very crafty and snap strategic areas that don’t show defects, giving the impression that a property is more attractive than it actually is.
This means renters will be disappointed when they come for physical inspections. The first scam of images will be that the rooms are smaller than they appear, the finishing quality is poor, the fittings are broken, or common areas like staircases and compounds are untidy. Beyond that, it makes you, the renter, frustrated, and time is wasted. First-time renters are the cajoled to make a rushed decision to move into a property simply because of frustration.
To prevent this, treat pictures as a preview rather than proof of the property’s current state. Always ask for video walkthroughs so you can see the apartment from all angles, and pay close attention to key areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and plumbing. Don’t forget to check shared spaces too, staircases, corridors, and compounds can say a lot about the property’s repair. Using verified platforms like Krent can make this easier, as they provide reliable and accurate descriptions and realistic pictures or videos, helping you make a confident decision before committing to a rental. And if you can, always go for a physical inspection, which can also be booked on the Krent platform.
3) Ignoring Location Realities
Another frequent mistake first-time renters make is overlooking the importance of location. The property looks beautiful, a video walkthrough and live call have been done, and it seems all perfect, but the location hasn’t been considered. If the location does not suit your habits and lifestyle, the perfect apartment starts becoming a problem and can slowly become a burden.
In popular locations like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, traffic is a major consideration for any location being chosen; even short distances in certain locations can take hours during peak hours, resulting in high transportation costs. A long, tiring commute can affect various aspects of a person’s productivity, mental well-being, and work-life balance. Testing your commute at peak hours before renting a property is a simple yet often ignored step that can save months of frustration.
Flooding is another major concern in certain Nigerian neighbourhoods. During raining season, certain areas are uninhabitable, rain causes damage to belongings, poses health hazards, and restricts movement during the rainy season. It is often good to ask neighbours about raining season, check online for reviews of the area if you can find such.
Areas near bars, religious centres, and event centres are often noisy, and most renters don’t consider it when renting, especially as visitations are not normally during those businesses and religious areas operating hours. Active hours for these places can affect your rest period and comfort. Visiting the area at different times of day, morning, evening, and weekends can provide an accurate sense of noise levels and activity patterns.
Finally, proximity to daily needs should greatly influence your renting decision. Access to supermarkets, hospitals, fuel stations, pharmacies, and public transport is very important for your overall quality of life, especially when moving into a new area. While properties in less expensive areas may seem attractive due to lower rent, hidden lifestyle considerations can cost more, if you are an active outgoing person, distance from hotspots to home can cost you more in commute.
4) Not Checking the Total Cost
Many first-time renters focus solely on the advertised rent price and ignore additional costs that can significantly increase their overall cost. While the rent itself is the most important, other fees such as agency fees, caution fees, legal fees, and recurring service charges can add up to 30–40% to the posted rent rate.
Agency fees, which typically range from 5–10% of annual rent, are almost a common occurrence and compulsory in Nigeria. Caution fees, though refundable in theory, may not always be returned promptly or in full. Legal fees cover the preparation of tenancy agreements and documentation, while service charges often include contributions for security, generator fuel, water, waste management, and maintenance.
To avoid all these surprises, always request a full breakdown of all costs before committing to a property. Clarify which fees are refundable, ask about recurring service charges, caution fee timelines, and ensure all agreements are documented in writing. Platforms like Krent promote transparency by providing complete pricing information upfront, helping renters understand the total cost of renting before making any payments.
5) Renting Without a Written Tenancy Agreement
Verbal agreements are common in Nigeria, but they carry huge risks. Relying on verbal promises and word of mouth alone exposes renters to sudden rent increases, unclear renewal terms, forced evictions, and issues that cannot be resolved legally because of no proof. A written tenancy agreement protects both the landlord and tenant by clearly outlining the terms of the rental.
A proper tenancy agreement should include details such as the rent amount and payment schedule, duration of the lease, renewal and termination procedures, notice periods, and the rights and responsibilities of both landlord and renters. First-time renters should never sign a tenancy agreement without thoroughly reading and understanding every clause; ask a lawyer to help you go through it. Always ask questions about unclear points and ensure you retain a signed copy for your records. Proper documentation prevents misunderstandings, allows for legal protection, and fosters a smoother rental experience.
6) Not Confirming Landlord Rules
Many disputes between landlords and tenants arise from unspoken expectations. First-time renters often discover restrictions after moving in, which can lead to conflicts.
It is important to clarify rules regarding visitors, overnight stay, and gate closing time, especially if you anticipate overnight guests. Generator usage is another area to confirm. If the property uses a shared generator, it is important to understand the hours of operation, fuel contributions, and noise policies.
Parking limits should also be discussed if you own a car or expect regular visitors. Additionally, confirm whether renovations are permitted, such as painting walls, drilling, or installing fixtures. Clarifying these rules before signing your rental agreement prevents unnecessary issues and ensures that expectations are aligned.
7). Not Using Verified Platforms
Many first-time renters rely on social media or random online listings, which often lack verification, accountability, or trusted information. Since anyone can post a listing, scammers are everywhere, and renters may be susceptible to such a scam.
Using verified rental platforms provides several advantages. They vet listings and agents, reduce the risk of scams, offer structured processes, and improve transparency. Krent, for instance, provides verified and vetted properties with clear, honest descriptions and media. The platform allows renters to securely book inspections, compare multiple homes, and avoid the risks associated with scam listings. By using a trusted platform like Krent, first-time renters can enjoy peace of mind and confidence in their rental decisions.
How Krent Helps First-Time Renters
Krent was created to address these challenges that first-time renters face in Nigeria.
The app provides verified and vetted property listings, clear descriptions, and realistic images to help renters make informed decisions. Users can easily compare multiple houses, book secure inspections, and reduce the risk of scams or misinformation.
By structuring the rental process, Krent removes the fear of scams, uncertainty, saves time, and ensures a stress-free renting experience.
The Krent app is available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store (iOS).
Frequently Asked Questions
(1) What are common mistakes first-time renters make in Nigeria?
Paying before inspection, trusting photos alone, ignoring location realities, underestimating total costs, skipping written agreements, and using unverified agents are the most common mistakes.
(2) Should I pay rent before signing an agreement?
No. Rent should only be paid after inspecting the property and reviewing a signed written tenancy agreement.
(3) How do I avoid rental scams in Nigeria?
Inspect properties, verify agents, avoid rushed payments, request proper documentation, and use trusted platforms like Krent.
(4) Is it better to use a rental app or an agent in Nigeria?
Verified rental platforms offer better transparency, security, and convenience, especially for first-time renters.
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Conclusion:
Renting your first home in Nigeria doesn’t have to be stressful or risky. Many rental challenges arise from rushed decisions, a lack of information, and unverified listings. 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.