Shortlet scams and misrepresented listings are among the most common complaints in Nigeria’s short-stay rental market. A little due diligence before you pay saves you from arriving at a property that looks nothing like its photos, or worse, not existing at all. Here is what to verify before confirming any booking.
1. Request a live video tour of the apartment: Photos can be old, edited, or completely unrelated to the property being offered. Ask the host to do a real-time video call walkthrough showing every room, the bathroom, kitchen, and the compound. Any legitimate host will have no objection to this.
2. Verify the exact address independently: A significant number of shortlet scams in Nigeria originate from unverified WhatsApp listings and fake social media profiles. Once you have the address, confirm it exists using Google Maps and cross-reference it against the images shared with you.
3. Check power supply arrangements in detail: Ask specifically whether the apartment has an inverter, generator, or relies on grid supply alone. Find out whether generator costs are included in the rate or billed separately. This single factor significantly affects your actual cost and comfort during the stay.
4. Confirm the security features of the building: Before making any shortlet booking, verify the safety features including gated entrances, security guards, and CCTV coverage. A property that looks beautiful inside but sits in an unsecured compound is a genuine risk.
5. Never pay the full amount to an unverified contact: No legitimate agent or host asks for full upfront payment before you have verified the property. Pay a deposit where possible and settle the balance on arrival or after confirmation of check-in details. Where full payment is required, use traceable bank transfers only and insist on a receipt.
6. Book through platforms with verified listings where possible: Platforms with a formal verification process confirm listings before they go live, significantly reducing the risk of paying for a property that does not match its description.
7. Read previous guest reviews carefully: Look specifically for comments about cleanliness, power supply, host responsiveness, and whether the apartment matched its listing. Recent reviews carry more weight than older ones.
Your money deserves verification before it moves.
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