Tenant Rights in Nigeria
Understanding your rights as a tenant helps you navigate disputes, protect your deposit, and ensure fair treatment throughout your tenancy.
1. Your rights as a tenant
- Right to a written tenancy agreement
- Right to a condition report before move-in
- Right to know all charges upfront
- Right to a receipt for every payment
- Right to privacy: your landlord must give 24-hour notice before an inspection
- Right to a fair deposit return process
2. What landlords can deduct from your deposit
- Only tenant-caused damage, not normal wear and tear
- Must provide photo evidence
- Cannot deduct for pre-existing damage, which is why the move-in report matters
- Must return the balance within 14 days
3. How to raise a maintenance dispute
- Report the issue via the RentShield maintenance system
- Keep records of all communication
- Understand the responsibility matrix in your agreement
- Escalation routes: the Lagos State Tenancy Tribunal, or a Magistrate Court
4. The move-out process
- Give proper written notice, one full rental period
- Request a move-out inspection
- Compare the move-out condition to your move-in condition report
- Dispute any deductions via RentShield
5. Frequently asked questions
Can my landlord increase rent mid-tenancy? No. Rent for a fixed-term tenancy cannot be increased until the term ends and a new tenancy or renewal is agreed.
What if my landlord ignores maintenance? Report the issue through RentShield so it is timestamped. If the issue is a landlord responsibility and remains unresolved, escalate to the Lagos State Tenancy Tribunal or a Magistrate Court.
Can I sublet my apartment? Only with your landlord's written approval. Subletting without permission is usually a breach of your tenancy agreement.
What happens if I need to leave early? Check the early termination terms in your agreement. In most cases you will need to give written notice and may forfeit part of your deposit, depending on what you agreed.
Need help? Contact hello@rentshield.ng