7 Things to Check Before Booking a Short-Let Apartment in Nigeria

The short-let apartment market in Nigeria has genuinely excellent options — and genuinely poor ones. The problem is they often look identical in the photos. Most bad short-let experiences aren't the result of outright scams; they're the result of things that weren't asked and weren't checked before money changed hands. Here are the seven questions that separate a great stay from a frustrating one.

1. What Is the Actual Power Backup Situation?

This is the number one thing to clarify before booking any apartment in Nigeria, full stop. "We have light" and "24/7 power" mean very different things depending on who's saying them.

Ask specifically: Do you have an inverter? What is its capacity? How long does it run without NEPA supply? A small inverter might power lights and fans but not air conditioning or a washing machine. Ask whether the apartment has a generator as backup to the inverter, and how long the generator runs per day (and whether fuel is included in your rate).

For work-from-home stays or anyone who needs to be on their laptop reliably, a 24-hour inverter is non-negotiable. For holiday stays where power cuts are inconvenient but not disruptive, a generator that runs 8–10 hours should be acceptable — as long as you know upfront.

2. Can You See a Live Video of the Apartment Right Now?

Photos lie. Or more accurately, photos are carefully curated, professionally lit, and sometimes taken years before the apartment's current state. Before committing to any deposit, ask the operator to send you a short WhatsApp video walking through the apartment right now.

A legitimate operator will do this without hesitation. They're proud of their property and want you to see it. If someone pushes back, makes excuses, or says they'll send photos later — treat that as a red flag. You're about to spend ₦80,000–₦200,000 per night or more. A 2-minute video tour is a completely reasonable request.

Pay attention to: the actual cleanliness of the space, whether the furniture shown in photos matches reality, the condition of the kitchen and bathroom, and whether there's natural light or it's a dark, windowless flat dressed up for photos.

3. What Is the WiFi Speed?

Every apartment in Nigeria lists WiFi as an amenity. Almost none specify the speed. For leisure travellers this may not matter — but for remote workers, executives on video calls, or anyone streaming, the difference between a 5Mbps connection and a 50Mbps fibre connection is the difference between working comfortably and being constantly frustrated.

Ask: "What is the WiFi speed, and is it fibre-connected?" Many apartments in premium areas (Maitama, Asokoro, VI) now have fibre connections — if yours doesn't, ask whether mobile data coverage is strong enough to use as a hotspot backup. Also ask whether the WiFi is shared with the whole building or dedicated to your unit.

4. What Exactly Is Included in the Price?

Short-let pricing in Nigeria is inconsistently packaged. Some operators include everything — utilities, cleaning, WiFi, water, generator — in one daily or monthly rate. Others build on extras that only emerge after you agree to the headline price. Before you say yes to anything, ask for a complete breakdown:

• Is electricity/generator fuel included?
• Is water (estate water or tanker water) included?
• Is housekeeping included? How often?
• Is there a caution/security deposit? How much, and when is it returned?
• Are there any extra guest charges?
• Is parking included?
• Are there checkout cleaning fees?

Get all of this confirmed in writing before you pay. A WhatsApp message confirming the full price and what it includes is sufficient and creates a record.

5. What Is the Security Setup?

Security is not uniform across Nigerian apartment estates. Some buildings have 24/7 security personnel, CCTV coverage, and controlled-entry gates. Others have a gate that's often left open and a security guard who doubles as a maintenance person and isn't always present.

For solo travellers — especially women travelling alone — this question deserves a direct answer. Ask: Is the building in a gated estate? Are there security cameras? Is there a security guard on duty at night? Is there a controlled entry system (intercom, key fob, security desk)?

In cities like Abuja and Lagos, premium neighbourhood apartments (Maitama, Asokoro, Victoria Island, Lekki Phase 1) generally have strong estate-level security. Apartments in less-managed locations may not. Don't assume — ask.

6. What Is the Cancellation Policy?

Life changes. Flights get cancelled. Work trips move. Business deals fall through. Before you pay, understand exactly what happens if you need to cancel or change your dates.

Ask: What is the cancellation policy? How many days' notice do you need to cancel without penalty? Is any deposit refundable if I cancel before check-in? What happens if I need to cut my stay short — do I get a partial refund for unused nights?

A reputable operator will have a clear, consistent policy they're willing to share in advance. Vague or dismissive answers to this question are a warning sign — it suggests disputes will be handled informally and not in your favour.

7. What Are Previous Guests Saying?

Google reviews, Airbnb reviews, social media comments — any genuine record of other people's experiences is worth reading before you book. Look for patterns: multiple people mentioning the same problem (noisy generator, unreliable WiFi, unresponsive host) is far more informative than a single complaint.

If the operator has no reviews anywhere — no Google listing, no social proof of any kind — that's not necessarily a scam, but it does mean you're taking a risk with no track record to judge. In that case, the video walk-through and written confirmation of terms become even more important before you pay anything.

The best operators will offer to connect you directly with a recent guest. If they do, take them up on it — a 5-minute call with someone who just stayed there is worth more than any amount of photos.