Beyond Aesthetics: What I Consider Before Renting an Apartment in Lagos
Looking for an apartment to rent is one of the most stressful tasks I know, especially here in Lagos State. As someone in the real estate business, I can tell you the hunt for an apartment to rent is tedious and super energy draining and can also be frustrating, especially when you meet wrong agents who are only after their pockets. One of the reasons why I don't deal with renting in the real estate business is due to how stressful it can be. Call me for buying land or a house, but not for renting, please; it's never so easy peasy.
You see the above picture and the building behind me; obviously it looks beautiful, but they have black water coming from their borehole. I visited a friend and discovered that for them to bathe or cook or wash clothes, they must buy water outside, even though they have a borehole. It becomes another extra expense and stressful for them. At times, they pause cooking due to disappointment from the guy supplying them water. Using their restroom,guys, their WC (water system) has turned to black or brown. Who would see this fine house inside a fine estate and believe that they suffer water amongst other issues I heard of?
What I am trying to point out is that searching for a house to rent for me is beyond esthetics. Yes, beautiful houses are good taste, but basic needs like water and light must pass my test before I pay for such an apartment. I wouldn't be carried away by the finishings of the house and then pack in and silently suffer important needs that make a home comfortable.
Having said that, one other important thing I look out for is the location. How is the proximity of the house to my workplace, to the hospital, school, market, and church? It matters a lot to me. I do not like all these houses that are inside and very inside to the point that accessing the main road is a hassle, at least in case of emergency cases, as life is unpredictable, proximity matters, so I would look out for a good location.
Very important: I don't look for a house to rent during the dry season here in Lagos. I would rather do that during the rainy season because floods are real. I need to know a better location that, even with too much rain, I will still have access to movements. Some fine houses have drainage issues, causing tenants to get stuck once a heavy downpour kisses the earth. So it's a factor I look out for, a vital one through my experience.
Overall, making the right choice for a house is not too easy, but one measure I use is asking those living around the vicinity important questions that will guide my decision-making toward the apartment. Remember, experience they say is the best teacher.
Again, If I happen to be a house owner tomorrow, the kind of tenants I would prefer are responsible tenants. Tenants that are peaceful and neat, pay their rent as at when due without stressing me, and are not the type that would misuse my asset anyhow. Regardless of their tribe, as long as they are responsible, then they are good to go.
Finally, the rental journey is not easy, but when we take our time and put some factors into consideration, we might get things right.