When you talk about extreme sports in most countries, you mention things like skydiving, surfing, scuba diving, ziplining, kayaking and so on. But in Nigeria, househunting leads the pile – from chasing agents to never ending subpar house viewings and praying your “final final” payment doesn’t disappear with your agent’s number, searching for a house to rent in Nigeria, especially in cities like Lagos, will humble you. And I’m not even trying to be dramatic.
Househunting will drain your energy, mess with your self-worth, and make you question all your life choices. You’ll just be looking at yourself like, “So na me be this?”
The truth is, most people just want a decent place to call home. Nothing too fancy, just somewhere spacious enough to breathe, cook, sleep, and live like a human. But somehow, that simple dream now feels like asking for too much. And it’s not just about the cost, it’s the whole process that makes you feel like the system is intentionally designed to frustrate you. Landlord wey no build heaven but wan dey collect like God.
Speaking of the cost of renting
House rent in Lagos and other major cities is on another level. You’ll see a self-contained apartment – one small room with a kitchen that’s barely the size of a wardrobe, and a bathroom that looks like it was made for primary school children – and they’ll tell you it’s ₦900,000 per annum.
Related: Barber, Graduate, Tech Bro—Yet, Life Still Dey Show Me Shege
Then the house agent will confidently add agreement and commission fees, inspection fees, and sometimes even “caution fee”, like say na bomb you wan rent.
By the time you calculate everything, you’re looking at ₦1.2M or more for a space that doesn’t even have running water, a proper compound, or stable electricity. And somehow, people are paying. Because what’s the alternative? Sleep under the bridge?
And this is where Lagos agents come in, with their smooth mouths and sharp tactics.
Most of these house agents are not just middlemen anymore; they’re becoming legal extortionists. They know you’re desperate. They can see the urgency in your eyes. And they use it against you.
They’ll promise you the perfect apartment that “just got vacant,” and when you finally follow them (after paying inspection fee of course), it turns out the house is either still occupied, under renovation, or something nobody in their right mind would consider.
But because you’ve already spent time, money, and hope, you keep going, from one viewing to another, trekking under the sun, and paying even more ‘inspection fees’ just to see houses that don’t even meet the basic standard of decency. And then, if by luck you find something that’s somewhat okay, they inflate the price. Why? Because demand is high, and they know someone else will take it if you don’t.
It’s a vicious cycle.
What’s worse? The majority enable it. Desperate people keep paying these ridiculous fees without asking questions or challenging the system. Sometimes, renters even meet agents who openly admit that they added extra money on top of the landlord’s rent just to “settle themselves.” And somehow, we all just accept it. Helplessly.
I get it, people need houses, and there’s not always enough time or patience to argue. But at what cost?
As a young person trying to start life, it’s honestly discouraging. You’ve finally gotten a job or saved up a little money. You’re excited to leave your parents’ house or move closer to work. But once you start house-hunting, reality hits you hard. That excitement disappears. You begin to realise how unfair the housing system is, especially for potential renters without ‘connections’ or endless money.
ICYMI: Kene is Baking His Way Through Adversity & Smashing Stereotypes
And no, I’m not saying all house agents are bad. Some are genuinely trying to help people find homes and earn a living. But the bad ones are loud, greedy, and everywhere. And if we’re being honest, they are winning.
So, what’s the way forward?
We need more of this kind of investigation into the housing sector. Landlords also need to be more involved and stop leaving everything in the hands of unscrupulous agents. Tenants need to start asking questions: Why are we paying all these extra fees? What exactly are we paying for? If enough people speak up, maybe the system will shift.
Also, let’s normalise sharing information. If you find a decent house or a trustworthy agent, share it. Help someone else avoid the stress you went through. Because right now, the housing situation in this country is nothing short of a scam. And for some of us, all we want is a small apartment with water, light, and peace of mind.
Is that too much to ask? Apparently, in Nigeria, it is.
Enjoyed reading this? Subscribe to our newsletter here so you can be the first to access fresh stories like this.
