Renting an Apartment in Lagos: What to Know Before You Move

Renting in Lagos has its own rhythm — and its own costs beyond the headline rent figure — that catches a lot of first-time renters and people moving from other cities off guard. Here's what to actually expect.

Understand the real cost, not just the annual rent

Lagos rent is almost always quoted and paid annually (sometimes 2 years upfront for newer or higher-end properties), and the advertised rent figure is rarely the full cost of moving in. On top of one year's rent, budget for: agency fee (commonly 10% of annual rent), legal fee (commonly another 10%), caution/security deposit (sometimes 1 month's rent, refundable), and service charge if the property is in an estate or serviced building. Ask every landlord or agent to itemise these separately before you commit — 'all-in' costs can add 20–30% on top of the headline rent.

Know the difference between mainland and island pricing

Lagos Island areas (Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi) command significantly higher rent than mainland areas (Yaba, Surulere, Ikeja, Gbagada) for comparable apartment sizes, largely driven by proximity to business districts and infrastructure quality. If your budget is tight, mainland areas with good road access to your workplace often deliver better value — factor commute time and traffic patterns into the decision, not just the rent figure, since Lagos traffic can turn a 'cheap but far' apartment into a daily multi-hour cost.

Always inspect in person before paying anything

Photos and even video calls can hide real issues — water pressure, noise from neighbouring generators, flooding risk in the compound, network signal strength, and the state of shared facilities. Visit at a different time of day than your first viewing if possible (evening visits reveal noise and lighting issues morning viewings miss), and specifically check: water runs from the tap during your visit, there's a working borehole or reliable water source, the electrical wiring looks safe and not exposed, and the neighbourhood has visible security (gated compound, security post, street lighting).

Ask about power and water directly — don't assume

Confirm whether the property has a functioning generator or inverter system for the estate/building, who pays for diesel or fuel, and whether that cost is included in service charge or billed separately. Ask about the water source (borehole, public supply, tanker delivery) and whether water is genuinely reliable — this varies enormously even between neighbouring buildings in the same area.

Get everything in writing

Insist on a written tenancy agreement stating the rent amount, payment term (1 or 2 years), what's included (service charge, security, waste disposal), notice period for renewal or vacating, and the landlord's or agent's full contact details. Verbal agreements are common in informal deals but leave you with no recourse if a dispute arises later — a simple written agreement protects both sides.

Verify who you're actually dealing with

Confirm the person collecting money is either the landlord or a verifiably authorised agent — ask to see the property's title documents or a letter of authority from the landlord if you're dealing with an agent you don't already know. Fake agents who don't actually control the property are a real and recurring problem in Lagos rental scams; a legitimate agent will not be evasive about proving the connection.

Search with your actual budget and area filters

On 247Market, filter listings by city and browse apartment listings with full photo sets and clear pricing so you can shortlist properties worth an in-person visit before spending a day travelling across Lagos traffic to see them. Message sellers directly through the platform to ask the questions above before booking a viewing — it saves everyone time.

Renting in Lagos rewards patience and due diligence far more than speed. Budget for the full cost upfront, inspect thoroughly, get the agreement in writing, and verify who you're actually paying — the apartment search will go a lot smoother.