It might be exciting to move to a new apartment. You get to socialize and establish new relationships. It's practically a dream come true for most individuals. Particularly if you're relocating to a larger, nicer, wealthier city like Lagos - ‘greener pastures’ like some will call it. However, most people may find it difficult to locate an apartment for rent in this city. Lagosians take their time before renting an apartment because they want to prevent con artists who could take advantage of their inexperience. > Hence, Here are 8 red flags to consider when renting an apartment in Lagos: ## 1. Availability of Social Amenities Social amenities such as security, water, electricity supply, and good transport networks are among the most crucial facilities to consider when renting an apartment in Lagos. Inquire about the neighborhood: How many hours does the electricity supply last? How many days per week is electricity supplied? Is there a reliable borehole structure? How clean is the water? Asking pertinent questions will keep you informed about the availability of functional amenities. Conversely, proceeding without adequate information may result in renting an apartment where electricity is supplied only once a month or where clean water requires traveling long distances. Therefore, it is essential to ascertain the availability of social amenities. If at least three to four of these amenities are not provided, it is advisable to reconsider your choice of apartment rental. ## 2. Property Maintenance Culture As insignificant as it may sound, taking into consideration how well previous tenants have handled the space will save you a lot of stress and expenses when refurbishing the space to suit your taste. It’s important to consider the condition of the apartment so that you don’t end up rebuilding the apartment due to mismanagement, while trying to refurbish it to suit your taste. Inspect for leaking roofs, rodent exposed cracks and holes, ventilation structures etc. If the property exhibits a lack of maintenance, this could raise concerns for you, unless you are prepared to incur additional costs for renovation. ## 3. Watch out for the neighborhood Watching out for the neighborhood is as crucial as it sounds. It’s very important to know why the last tenant left. Most importantly, it is very important to know the kind of tenants that live in the compound. Avoid renting apartments where individuals with fraudulent intentions such as cybercriminals and ‘yahoo boys’ reside as you might be putting your life and property at risk. An unsafe environment could result in the loss of either your residence or even your life, risks that no one should willingly undertake. ## 4. Drainage Systems The rainy season is the ideal time to choose which house to rent. This is a result of the high number of flood-prone homes or regions. In Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, the rainy season can be one of the most unattractive seasons of the year for locals. Floods are a serious risk since they frequently result in the loss of life and property. Therefore, you should carefully consider how the area you have selected will handle flooding risk. ## 5. Meeting the Landlord Scammers have taken advantage of some people since they were unable to meet the landlords. When renting an apartment in Lagos, it's crucial to have a meeting with the property's legal owner. It is important to keep in mind that some landlords reside in the same complex as their occupants. Many people have experienced problems with ignorant, irrational landlords that either cause needless stress on their renters. Meeting with the landlord will assist you prevent this. Agents also prefer to exaggerate prices for their own benefits. ## 6. Hidden Utility Charges Do you remember that thing called VAT when you’ve seen a product on an online store and while you were trying to purchase it you realized there are some extra charges added to the products original price? Well, in apartment rentals there’s something similar called “Hidden Utility Charges”. The term "hidden utility charges" describes any fees or expenses related to utilities that are not made clear or revealed up front in a lease or rental agreement. These charges may include additional fees for services such as water, electricity, gas, sewage, trash removal, or other utilities that are typically covered by the landlord or property owner. These expenses may occasionally be passed on to tenants by landlords or property managers without being outlined in the rental agreement causing tenants to incur unexpected costs as a result of this lack of transparency since they may not be fully aware of the financial responsibilities associated with renting a property. ## 7. Tenancy Agreement/Authentic receipt collection A tenancy agreement is a legally binding, written agreement between a landlord and a tenant specifying the terms and conditions of their rental agreement. It is also known as a lease. Tenancy agreements are usually put in place before letting out property You must sign this legal paperwork in order to rent a property. A few individuals are guilty of failing to properly read and comprehend the tenancy agreement prior to signing. Before you sign any paperwork, make sure you read it through again, ask questions as needed, and comprehend it because some agreements can be absurd. Also, just as just as significant as the other eight, once money has been received, make sure to get a receipt. The receipt, which includes your name, the landlord's name, the date and amount of the payment, the address of the property, and the duration of the payment, is evidence that you are allowed to remain in your apartment. If these protocols are not in place or considered while undergoing the renting process, then you should reconsider the authenticity of your rentals and ensure to ask for these things before making any payments. ## 8. Network Availability Network availability is a critical consideration for remote workers searching for an apartment in Lagos. In today's digital age, where remote work is increasingly prevalent, a reliable internet connection is essential for productivity and communication. Lagos, as a bustling metropolis, boasts a vibrant economy and a growing number of professionals opting for remote work arrangements. However, the city's infrastructure may not always guarantee consistent network coverage. Therefore, when searching for an apartment in Lagos, prioritizing areas with reliable network infrastructure ensures that remote workers can fulfill both their professional and personal needs efficiently. Also read: [7 TOP RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN LAGOS IN 2024](Habeep | Blog - 7 TOP RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN LAGOS IN 2024)