Free Tenant Screening Checklist for Nigerian Landlords (Downloadable PDF)
Tenant Screening Checklist PDF in Nigerian housing market is one of the busiest in Africa. Every day, millions of Nigerians move from one state to another for work, school, or family. From Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt to Kano, tenants are constantly looking for houses. Yet, many landlords complain that their houses stay empty for months.
The truth is simple: having a good property is not enough. If you don’t know how to advertise it effectively, tenants won’t find it. In Nigeria, the way you advertise depends on location, tenant type, and local culture.
This guide will break down practical, locally tested strategies for landlords across Nigeria. We’ll use real-life examples so you can see what works in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Kano, and other parts of the country.
Before you even think of advertising, make sure your house is in top condition. Nigerians value neatness, water supply, and electricity.
Checklist for Preparation:
Paint the house inside and outside.
Fix water issues (borehole, well, or tank).
Ensure prepaid meter is working.
Clear the compound and gutters.
Repair leaking roofs or broken doors.
Example: In Ibadan, a landlord had a self-contained that stayed empty for 6 months. The bathroom had broken tiles and no running water. After fixing the bathroom and repainting, students from the Polytechnic Ibadan rushed to rent it.
Moral:No matter how cheap, Nigerians don’t want a house that looks abandoned.
Step 2: Work With Trusted Local Agents
In almost every Nigerian city, house agents control the flow of rentals. But you must be careful — some are reliable, some are not.
Tips for Using Agents:
Register your property with multiple agents (not just one).
Always use agents based in the property’s location.
Agree on commission upfront (usually 10% or 1 month’s rent).
Avoid giving your keys to untrusted agents.
Example: In Port Harcourt, a landlord trusted one agent who kept delaying. The property stayed empty for 4 months. When he gave the house to 3 agents in the same area, two tenants came to inspect within one week.
Moral:Don’t put all your eggs in one agent’s basket.
Step 3: Word of Mouth and Community Networks
In Nigeria, community ties are strong. Word of mouth remains one of the fastest ways to fill a rental.
Ways to spread the word:
Tell church and mosque leaders.
Inform family, friends, and colleagues.
Ask shop owners, mechanics, and barbers near the property to recommend it.
Ask outgoing tenants to help find replacements.
Example: In Kano, a landlord mentioned in his mosque that his 2-bedroom was vacant. Within days, two families came through the mosque network. One paid immediately.
Step 4: Use Online Property Platforms
Nigeria’s property search has gone digital. Many tenants check online before stepping out.
Popular Platforms:
Afrolease.com: Widely used in Lagos and Abuja.
NigeriaPropertyCentre.com: Trusted across cities.
Jiji.ng: Popular for affordable self-contained and mini-flats.
Add nearby landmarks (“5 mins from University of Benin main gate”).
Be honest about facilities.
Example: A landlord in Enugu listed his flat on Jiji with poor photos. No response. He later uploaded better photos, stating “close to UNN campus.” Within 2 weeks, he rented it out to students.
Step 5: Leverage Social Media & WhatsApp
Nigeria is one of the most active social media countries in Africa. Tenants actively search on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok.
Ways to use social media:
Join Facebook groups like “Houses for Rent in Lagos/Abuja/PH”.
Share short video tours on TikTok and Instagram reels.
Post in estate WhatsApp groups (very effective for fast turnover).
Example: In Abuja, a landlord’s son shared a TikTok video tour of their vacant apartment in Gwarinpa. It got 4,000 views, and two tenants came through that video.
Step 6: Use “TO LET” Signboards
The traditional TO LET signboard still works wonders in Nigeria.
Tips:
Use bold lettering.
Place the sign at the gate and nearest busy junction.
Add a phone number that is always reachable.
Example: In Benin City, a landlord pasted a small sign that wasn’t visible. Nobody called. When he placed a big bold TO LET board at the street junction, a bank staff saw it and rented the house within days.
Step 7: Price the Rent Correctly
One of the biggest mistakes landlords make in Nigeria is overpricing. Nigerians compare houses carefully before paying.
How to Price Well:
Compare with similar houses in your area.
Be flexible with payment terms (some tenants prefer 6 months or quarterly in low-income areas).
Don’t overcharge just because you made renovations.
Example: In Lagos, a landlord priced his 3-bedroom flat at ₦2M yearly. Tenants in that area were paying ₦1.5M. The house stayed empty for 7 months. He later reduced it to ₦1.6M and got a tenant in one week.
Step 8: Add Incentives
Nigerian tenants love small bonuses that make life easier.
Ideas:
Offer free DSTV dish.
Waive caution fee.
Provide borehole water or solar panels.
Give one free month rent to early payers.
Example: In Jos, a landlord included free solar lights in his compound. Tenants rushed because power supply was poor in that area.
Step 9: Target the Right Tenant Market
Not every tenant is right for your house. Learn who your property suits.
Self-contained / mini-flat: Students, young workers.
Example: In Abuja, a landlord tried marketing a serviced flat to families. It stayed empty. When he switched to target NGOs and embassies, it was rented within days.
Step 10: Be Professional and Available
In Nigeria, tenants often complain about landlords’ attitudes. If you sound rude or delay inspections, they will walk away.
Tips:
Answer calls politely.
Be flexible with inspection times.
Don’t scare tenants with aggressive rules.
Example: In Port Harcourt, a tenant left a house inspection because the landlord shouted, “Don’t touch my wall o!” before they even entered.
Advertising a rental property in Nigeria is not just about saying “House to Let.” It requires a balance of clean property, right pricing, local marketing, and professionalism. Whether you’re in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu, Port Harcourt, or Ibadan, the rules are the same:
Keep your property neat.
Spread the word offline and online.
Price reasonably.
Use agents wisely.
Be approachable.
Local moral:In Nigeria, a clean, well-priced house with smart advertisement never stays empty for long.
📢 Call to Action
Want more landlord resources? Visit Afrolease.com for practical guides:
Free Tenant Screening Checklist for Nigerian Landlords (Downloadable PDF)
Tenant Screening Checklist PDF in Nigerian housing market is one of the busiest in Africa. Every day, millions of Nigerians move from one state to another for work, school, or family. From Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt to Kano, tenants are constantly looking for houses. Yet, many landlords complain that their houses stay empty for months.
The truth is simple: having a good property is not enough. If you don’t know how to advertise it effectively, tenants won’t find it. In Nigeria, the way you advertise depends on location, tenant type, and local culture.
This guide will break down practical, locally tested strategies for landlords across Nigeria. We’ll use real-life examples so you can see what works in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Kano, and other parts of the country.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Prepare the House Before Advertising
Before you even think of advertising, make sure your house is in top condition. Nigerians value neatness, water supply, and electricity.
Checklist for Preparation:
Paint the house inside and outside.
Fix water issues (borehole, well, or tank).
Ensure prepaid meter is working.
Clear the compound and gutters.
Repair leaking roofs or broken doors.
Example: In Ibadan, a landlord had a self-contained that stayed empty for 6 months. The bathroom had broken tiles and no running water. After fixing the bathroom and repainting, students from the Polytechnic Ibadan rushed to rent it.
Moral: No matter how cheap, Nigerians don’t want a house that looks abandoned.
Step 2: Work With Trusted Local Agents
In almost every Nigerian city, house agents control the flow of rentals. But you must be careful — some are reliable, some are not.
Tips for Using Agents:
Register your property with multiple agents (not just one).
Always use agents based in the property’s location.
Agree on commission upfront (usually 10% or 1 month’s rent).
Avoid giving your keys to untrusted agents.
Example: In Port Harcourt, a landlord trusted one agent who kept delaying. The property stayed empty for 4 months. When he gave the house to 3 agents in the same area, two tenants came to inspect within one week.
Moral: Don’t put all your eggs in one agent’s basket.
Step 3: Word of Mouth and Community Networks
In Nigeria, community ties are strong. Word of mouth remains one of the fastest ways to fill a rental.
Ways to spread the word:
Tell church and mosque leaders.
Inform family, friends, and colleagues.
Ask shop owners, mechanics, and barbers near the property to recommend it.
Ask outgoing tenants to help find replacements.
Example: In Kano, a landlord mentioned in his mosque that his 2-bedroom was vacant. Within days, two families came through the mosque network. One paid immediately.
Step 4: Use Online Property Platforms
Nigeria’s property search has gone digital. Many tenants check online before stepping out.
Popular Platforms:
Afrolease.com: Widely used in Lagos and Abuja.
NigeriaPropertyCentre.com: Trusted across cities.
Jiji.ng: Popular for affordable self-contained and mini-flats.
Konga.com: Strong for mid-to-high income areas.
Tips:
Upload clear photos (bedroom, kitchen, toilet, compound, gate).
Add nearby landmarks (“5 mins from University of Benin main gate”).
Be honest about facilities.
Example: A landlord in Enugu listed his flat on Jiji with poor photos. No response. He later uploaded better photos, stating “close to UNN campus.” Within 2 weeks, he rented it out to students.
Step 5: Leverage Social Media & WhatsApp
Nigeria is one of the most active social media countries in Africa. Tenants actively search on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok.
Ways to use social media:
Join Facebook groups like “Houses for Rent in Lagos/Abuja/PH”.
Share short video tours on TikTok and Instagram reels.
Post in estate WhatsApp groups (very effective for fast turnover).
Example: In Abuja, a landlord’s son shared a TikTok video tour of their vacant apartment in Gwarinpa. It got 4,000 views, and two tenants came through that video.
Step 6: Use “TO LET” Signboards
The traditional TO LET signboard still works wonders in Nigeria.
Tips:
Use bold lettering.
Place the sign at the gate and nearest busy junction.
Add a phone number that is always reachable.
Example: In Benin City, a landlord pasted a small sign that wasn’t visible. Nobody called. When he placed a big bold TO LET board at the street junction, a bank staff saw it and rented the house within days.
Step 7: Price the Rent Correctly
One of the biggest mistakes landlords make in Nigeria is overpricing. Nigerians compare houses carefully before paying.
How to Price Well:
Compare with similar houses in your area.
Be flexible with payment terms (some tenants prefer 6 months or quarterly in low-income areas).
Don’t overcharge just because you made renovations.
Example: In Lagos, a landlord priced his 3-bedroom flat at ₦2M yearly. Tenants in that area were paying ₦1.5M. The house stayed empty for 7 months. He later reduced it to ₦1.6M and got a tenant in one week.
Step 8: Add Incentives
Nigerian tenants love small bonuses that make life easier.
Ideas:
Offer free DSTV dish.
Waive caution fee.
Provide borehole water or solar panels.
Give one free month rent to early payers.
Example: In Jos, a landlord included free solar lights in his compound. Tenants rushed because power supply was poor in that area.
Step 9: Target the Right Tenant Market
Not every tenant is right for your house. Learn who your property suits.
Self-contained / mini-flat: Students, young workers.
2–3 bedroom flats: Families.
Luxury duplexes: Politicians, expatriates, corporate workers.
Short lets: Tourists, business visitors.
Example: In Abuja, a landlord tried marketing a serviced flat to families. It stayed empty. When he switched to target NGOs and embassies, it was rented within days.
Step 10: Be Professional and Available
In Nigeria, tenants often complain about landlords’ attitudes. If you sound rude or delay inspections, they will walk away.
Tips:
Answer calls politely.
Be flexible with inspection times.
Don’t scare tenants with aggressive rules.
Example: In Port Harcourt, a tenant left a house inspection because the landlord shouted, “Don’t touch my wall o!” before they even entered.
Common Mistakes Nigerian Landlords Make
Overpricing rent.
Depending on only one agent.
Advertising without photos.
Not repairing houses before inspection.
Being rude to tenants.
Download Tenant_Screening_Checklist in Afrolease.com Here!!!
Conclusion
Advertising a rental property in Nigeria is not just about saying “House to Let.” It requires a balance of clean property, right pricing, local marketing, and professionalism. Whether you’re in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu, Port Harcourt, or Ibadan, the rules are the same:
Keep your property neat.
Spread the word offline and online.
Price reasonably.
Use agents wisely.
Be approachable.
Local moral: In Nigeria, a clean, well-priced house with smart advertisement never stays empty for long.
📢 Call to Action
Want more landlord resources? Visit Afrolease.com for practical guides:
10 Common Landlord Mistakes to Avoid in Nigeria
Property Maintenance Checklist for Nigerian Landlords
Tenant FAQs for Nigerian Landlords
With the right strategy, your next tenant may already be calling!
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