How to avoid rental scams in Nigeria

Most Nigerians house-hunting today have either been scammed or know someone who has. The pattern is familiar: a too-good-to-be-true listing, an “agent” who insists on an inspection fee before you see anything, or a “landlord” who wants the full year's rent in cash before you sign a thing. Here is how to spot the traps and rent safely.

Common rental scams to watch for

• The inspection-fee farm. An agent collects a small “inspection fee” from dozens of people for a property that isn't really available, then disappears.
• The fake landlord. Someone who doesn't own the property collects a deposit and vanishes before you can move in.
• The double-let. The same unit is “rented” to several people, each paying a deposit.
• Cash-only pressure. You're rushed to pay cash or transfer to a personal account “today, before someone else takes it.”

Warning signs

• The rent is far below market for the area.
• You're asked to pay before you've seen the unit in person.
• The agent avoids putting anything in writing.
• There is no tenancy agreement, or it's a vague one-pager.
• You can't confirm who actually owns the property.

How to verify a landlord or agent

• Ask for identification and confirm it matches the person showing you the property.
• Ask to see proof of ownership or the agent's authority to let the unit.
• Visit the property in person and speak to existing tenants or neighbours.
• Never pay into a personal account on the spot. Insist on a traceable payment and a receipt.

The safest way: rent through a verified platform

The single biggest protection is to deal with landlords whose identity has been checked and to pay through a channel that leaves a record. On Property360, every unit is tied to a real landlord or agent, identity-verified landlords carry a Verified badge, and you pay through Paystack, never cash to a stranger. You can browse homes without signing in and only reserve when you're ready. See how it works for tenants.

Your quick safety checklist

• See the property in person before paying anything.
• Confirm who owns it and who you're paying.
• Pay traceably (card, bank transfer, USSD), never untraceable cash.
• Get a written tenancy agreement and a receipt for every payment.
• Prefer verified landlords and platforms that hold you both accountable.

This article is general guidance, not legal advice. If you suspect fraud, report it to the police and your bank immediately.