After talking with landlords across Lagos, we've gathered practical tips that actually work. Some things they learned the hard way. Others they picked up from each other. Here's what we've found, based on real experience.

These aren't revolutionary insights, most of them are pretty straightforward. But we've seen too many landlords skip the basics and end up with problems that could have been avoided.

1. Screen Tenants Properly

We know it's tempting to skip this when you have a vacant property and someone shows up with cash. But bad tenants cost way more than a few weeks of vacancy.

Here's what landlords check:

Employment and income. Ask where they work and what they do. The important thing is understanding if they have a steady source of income.
References from previous landlords. Ask for references, and if they provide contact details, you might reach out. But honestly, many tenants can't or won't provide references, so don't make it a deal-breaker. If they do provide one and you can verify it, that's a plus.
Valid ID. NIN, Voter's Card, or International Passport. This is basic, but some landlords skip it.
Meet them in person. You can tell a lot from a face-to-face conversation.

Red flags: If someone pressures you to skip the vetting process, that's a red flag. If their story about employment or income doesn't add up, that's a problem. If they're evasive about basic questions, trust your gut.

Landlords have made the mistake of renting to someone who "seemed nice" without proper screening. It cost them months of unpaid rent and damaged properties. Don't do that.

2. Get It in Writing

Verbal agreements don't work. Landlords have tried. It always ends in disputes.

Your lease should cover:

Rent amount and when it's due
Security deposit and when they get it back
How long the lease lasts and what happens when it ends
Who handles what maintenance (this matters a lot in Lagos)
Rules about modifications, subletting, pets
How to end the lease (notice periods, etc.)
Who pays utilities

As a landlord or property manager, you should always have a lawyer review your lease template to make sure it complies with tenancy laws. That costs money upfront, but it will save you from legal issues later.

You can find lease templates online, but get a lawyer to review it. Laws change, and you want to make sure you're protected.

3. Be Consistent About Rent Collection

Set a clear due date and stick to it. Many landlords use the 1st of every month for all their properties. It's simple, and tenants know what to expect.

Accept online payments (bank transfers, mobile money). It's easier for everyone. Some landlords still have tenants who prefer cash, but most pay online.

Send reminders. Many landlords send a reminder 2 weeks before rent is due, on the due date, and 3 days after if the tenant still haven't paid. Most tenants just forget, and a reminder is enough.

Always issue receipts. When someone pays, send them a receipt via WhatsApp or email. It takes 30 seconds and prevents disputes.

Document late payments. If someone pays late, note it. If it becomes a pattern, you'll have a record.

Some landlords use Property Governors to automate reminders and tracking, but you can do this manually if you only have a few properties. The important thing is being consistent.

4. Communicate Regularly

Respond to messages within 24-48 hours. Even if you don't have an answer yet, acknowledge that you received their message and you're working on it.

Address problems before they become big issues. If a tenant mentions a leaky tap, fix it. Don't wait until it becomes a flood.

Give notice before doing work. If you need to do maintenance or inspections, tell tenants in advance. Don't just show up.

Be professional but human. You don't need to be their friend, but you also don't need to be a robot. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Use WhatsApp or email so there's a record. Verbal conversations are fine, but follow up with a message confirming what was discussed.

Good tenants stay longer when you communicate well. And when tenants stay longer, you spend less time finding new ones.

5. Inspect Properties Regularly

Many landlords do bi-annual inspections (twice a year). Some landlords do them more often, some less. Bi-annual works for most.

Check:

Plumbing (leaks, slow drains, water pressure)
Electrical (outlets, switches, fixtures)
Structural issues (cracks, water damage, etc.)
Security (locks, gates, alarms)
Common areas if you have them

The goal isn't to catch tenants doing something wrong. It's to catch maintenance issues early, before they become expensive problems.

Always give proper notice—at least 24-48 hours. And schedule at a time that works for the tenant. Don't just show up unannounced. That's rude and potentially illegal.

6. Build a Good Vendor Network

You can't fix everything yourself. You need reliable plumbers, electricians, AC technicians, generator mechanics, painters, carpenters, pest control, and security services.

Finding good vendors takes time. Ask other landlords for recommendations. Start with small jobs to test reliability. Get multiple quotes for major work.

Keep records of who you've used and how good their work was. Many landlords keep a simple spreadsheet with vendor names, contact info, and notes about their work quality. It helps them remember who to call and who to avoid.

Good vendors are worth their weight in gold. Bad ones will cost you money and stress.

7. Keep Good Records

Landlords should track:

Rent payments (when, how much, how they paid)
Maintenance requests and when they were fixed
Communication with tenants (important conversations, agreements, etc.)
Expenses and income
Lease agreements and any changes
Property inspections

Why? For taxes, for disputes, for insurance claims, and just to know how your properties are performing. You can't manage what you don't measure.

Many landlords start by keeping everything in their head and a few WhatsApp messages. That works when you have three properties. It doesn't work when you have more. Get organized early, even if it seems like overkill.

8. Know the Law

Familiarize yourself with tenancy law. At minimum, understand:

Notice periods for rent increases
How to legally evict a tenant (you can't just throw them out)
Security deposit rules
Tenant rights
Your obligations as a landlord

Laws change, so stay updated or consult a property lawyer periodically. We're not lawyers, so we don't give legal advice. But we've seen landlords get into trouble because they didn't know the law.

If you're not sure about something, ask a lawyer. It's cheaper than a lawsuit.

9. Price Your Rent Right

Research similar properties in your area. What are they charging? What do they include? How does your property compare?

Consider:

Location (transport, amenities, safety)
Property size and condition
What's included (generator, water, parking, etc.)
Market trends
Demand in your area

Common mistakes: Overpricing leads to long vacancies. Underpricing leaves money on the table and might attract tenants you don't want.

Many landlords review rent annually and adjust based on market conditions. Sometimes they increase it, sometimes they don't. It depends on the market and how good the tenant is. A reliable tenant who pays on time is worth keeping, even if you could get slightly more rent from someone else.

10. Consider Property Management Software

We'll be honest: you don't need software if you only have a few properties. A spreadsheet and WhatsApp work fine.

But if you're managing multiple properties, a good software can save you a lot of time. It helps with:

Tracking all your properties in one place
Automated rent reminders
Managing maintenance requests
Financial reporting
Document storage
Communication with tenants

We built Property Governors because we saw the need for something that worked for rental property management in Nigeria. It's not free, but it saves landlords hours each week on admin tasks.

Whether software is worth it depends on your situation. If you're spending hours each week on property management admin, it might be. If you have a few properties and don't mind manual tracking, you probably don't need it.

A Few Lagos-Specific Things

Power and Water

Lagos infrastructure is what it is. Consider generators, water storage (tanks, boreholes), and clearly state in your lease who pays for what. Don't assume tenants know, put it in writing.

Security

Tenants care about security. Invest in good locks, gates, security lighting. For larger properties, consider guard services or CCTV. It's not just about safety, it's about peace of mind, which helps you keep good tenants.

Weather

Lagos weather is hard on properties. Make sure drainage works (flooding is real here). Inspect roofs regularly, especially before rainy season. Treat for pests, they're a constant battle.

Common Mistakes Landlords Make

Skipping tenant screening - "They seemed nice" isn't enough. Screen properly.
No written agreements - Verbal deals always lead to disputes. Get it in writing.
Ignoring maintenance - That small leak becomes a flood. Fix things early.
Poor record keeping - You'll need records for taxes, disputes, insurance. Keep them.
Inconsistent rent collection - If you let people pay late, they'll keep paying late.
Not knowing the law - Ignorance isn't an excuse. Know your rights and obligations.
Overreacting to minor issues - Not everything is a crisis. Stay calm.
Underreacting to major issues - Some things are crises. Deal with them quickly.

Getting Started

You don't need to do everything at once. Start with:

This week: Review your lease agreements. Are they clear? Do they comply with the law?
This month: Set up a record-keeping system. Even a simple spreadsheet helps.
This quarter: Build your vendor network. Find reliable plumbers, electricians, etc.
Ongoing: Improve your processes. What's working? What's not? Adjust.

Property management in Lagos isn't easy, but it's manageable if you're organized and consistent. These tips aren't revolutionary, but they work.

If you're managing multiple rental properties and want to see how Property Governors works, you can check it out here. Or keep using spreadsheets and WhatsApp. Whatever works for your situation.

Property Management Tips for Lagos Landlords