You’ve saved up the right amount of money and you’re ready to stay on your own in Lagos. As you can now afford rent, the next step is to find a place, get a cleaning services company to give it a makeover, and move in.
Luckily for you, we just made a list of the things you need to know before starting your apartment search in Lagos. If you’re house hunting or about to start, then this short guide is for you.
Eden Life offers Deep cleaning services and post-construction cleaning services for your new home. Book a cleaning session here
Get the Right Agent
Having the right house agent is critical to finding an apartment that you would enjoy. When it comes to house hunting, agents are the Alpha and Omega.
Every Lagos Agent when you tell them you need a house
Most of them are out to frustrate you and just eat your money in the name of agency and agreement.
After a tumultuous journey with multiple agents and seeing different tool sheds masquerading as houses, it is easy to give up and settle for something below par. Don’t make that mistake. Change your agent and keep your standards, and you will find a good house.
Although, let’s be honest, finding a good agent in Lagos is like finding a shark in the Sahara. It’s basically a miracle.
Old Houses Are Better
The general consensus is that if you’re looking for space and proper ventilation in Lagos, then you should be looking to rent an old house.
It might seem that after 2010, house developers in Lagos have forgotten the need for a bedroom to have two windows and for a sitting room to have space.
Check The Area Properly
Finding a good house is one part of the struggle. Finding a good house in a good area is another thing entirely. Before you pay the agreed rent, ask a lot of questions from the people around the house.
Ask the shops around if the area is safe, ask about the light situation, and ask the current tenants if the house is okay or if your landlord usually displays a little crazy.
You should also check for signs of flooding in your street and even in the house. If a house gets flooded, you’ll see moulds or watermarks on the walls.
Beware of Outstanding Bills
As far as the house isn’t new, it is in your best interest to check if there are any outstanding utility bills like electricity and waste. It is common practice for people to stay in houses and accumulate bills that they don’t pay and leave for the new tenants to inherit.
If you’re inheriting anything, it should be a house in perfect condition, not hundreds of thousands in Nepa Bills.
Review Your Budget
While your budget might be good, it might not be enough to get you your dream apartment. Apartment prices are on the rise and they don’t seem to be going down anytime soon.
If you find an apartment that ticks all your boxes but requires a few more thousands, you should find a way to get it.
P.S. Always spend within your means. Don’t say Eden advised you to splurge on a house. We won’t be out in the cold streets with you💀.
Avoid Crazy Landlords
As we advised earlier, you need to confirm from the present tenants how the owner of the house behaves. Most people would advise you not to rent a house where the landlord also stays. It can lead to a lot of issues.
During your first set of interactions with the house owner, look out for tell-tale signs of uncontrollable anger, tribalism and other things that can make you uncomfortable.
No matter how cheap the house is, a bad landlord will make you hate your stay and fill you with regret.
Proximity To Stores
If you’re a constant snacker or foodie then you might want to consider the closeness of a convenience store to wherever you’re renting.
Trekking 5 kilometres just because you forgot to buy a bar of soap on your way back home doesn’t sound like fun.
Buy Furniture Before Hand
With the constant increase in the prices of everyday items, it is advisable to start buying things like furniture even before you move. It is best to get these things out of the way.
There’s so much you need to know about your housing in Lagos. We hold a Twitter Space on Saturday mornings called Hacking Lagos to talk about Lagos and how you can navigate life in the city that never sleeps.
Also, don’t forget, when you rent your house, Eden Life is there to help you clean, cook and do your laundry. You can find out more here.