Finding houses for rent in Abuja is not always easy, especially if you are new in the city. This is because the information online can be misleading, and it’s hard knowing which to trust. The house hunting process is not as simple as searching for available houses within your budget, as there are several other factors to consider such as location, security, maintenance, legal implications, etc and it can feel quite overwhelming.
Regardless, finding the right house is very rewarding, and everyone deserves to feel that way. That’s why we have put together a list of things you should know about how to find houses for rent in Abuja.
- Give yourself time to find the right house
Yes, desperate times call for desperate measures, but desperate measures are not the best, so let’s avoid being desperate altogether. If you are racing to get the next available option, you become vulnerable to scammers and other ill-intentioned people, so it’s better to set a realistic timeline for house hunting in Abuja. It is advisable to physically see the houses you are interested in, so that you can take note of things that may not be shown in pictures, like the road leading up to the house. If you are relocating to Abuja, we advise that you find a temporary accommodation to stay in while you are house hunting, like a friend’s or a short-let apartment. This also gives you time to get to know the city before you commit to a house. Another option would be to get a friend to inspect the houses for you before you get to Abuja – you need eyes on the ground before you make any decision even if those eyes aren’t yours.
- Go through a trusted real estate company rather than lone realtors
Independent realtors, popularly known as “agents” are a common option for people looking to rent houses in Nigeria. However, they are likely to be unregulated and unaccountable to any professional body, which means that you can easily get scammed. These agents have limited access to available houses on the market, and most of them in Abuja will even charge you a token for every house they show you. On the other hand, real estate firms are more reliable, as they are registered and licensed with the appropriate authorities and in the event that anything goes wrong with your transaction, they can be held accountable. They have access to more properties as they work directly with the property owners, and will assign to you a realtor with local expertise of the locations you are interested in.
- Do your research
Most times during your house hunting, you will be presented with several options, and it is important that you do your research before making a final decision. Starting from the house itself, ask about the facility management, because at some point in your new home, you might need to lay a complaint, and you want to know how to do that. Find out about the neighbourhood, and what the security situation is like. Is there a police station close by? Has there been any reported crimes recently in that area? etc. You can go digging on the internet or even ask around from friends and colleagues. Find about the road network, your daily commute, and the traffic situation.
If you have kids, you should find out if there are other kids in the neighbourhood and available schools. If you are religious, find out what the religious atmosphere is like, make sure you are comfortable with it and that you have access to your place of worship. Take your time with this research process, and leave no stone unturned, because the things that may seem like small inconveniences at the moment can make or break your experience in your new home.
- Make sure all the paperwork is in order
Before you sign a lease, make sure that all the paperwork is in order. Ideally, you will be asked to pay the rent into the account of the real estate firm you have worked with, or the legal representative of the landlord. Avoid paying money into suspicious bank accounts, and always ask for a breakdown of the total rent. Make sure that your contract clearly states all the conditions of your lease before paying, and request for a copy after all parties have signed.
If you are looking for a house to rent in Abuja, we hope this article has given you a good idea of what to expect. House Hunting can be an exciting but complicated process, but the right home makes it all worth it. We believe that there is a perfect home out there for everyone, and we are committed to helping you find yours without stress. We have an exhaustive compilation of houses for rent in Abuja and local experts ready to help you throughout this process. Leave us a message and let’s talk about your next home!