Lekki is marketed as Lagos’s modern waterfront district. Gated estates, new apartments, restaurants and rapid development. But Lekki is not a rental market. Lekki Phase 1, Ikate, Chevron, Ajah and Sangotedo are worlds apart in terms of price, infrastructure, commute times and flood exposure. Before you sign, find out exactly where the property is, and what it will cost to live there.
Rent is just the beginning
Quoted rent is exclusive of service charge, legal and agency fees, caution deposit, estate dues, security, waste disposal, water and power. Get a written breakdown. In many estates, service charges cover security, cleaning, landscaping, water treatment and shared electricity, and can also rise when diesel prices go up.
Ask for the statement of service-charge for the last year and how often it is reviewed. Find out if the apartment has a prepaid meter and how the electricity is charged. Does the estate have generators for common areas or for individual homes? A bad apartment with unreliable water and costly diesel may be more expensive than a better run property.
Flooding is a primary due diligence issue
Drainage is a significant issue in Lekki due to its low-lying coastal geography and rapid construction. Don’t check on a sunny afternoon. Visit in or immediately after heavy rain, check access roads, parking areas and ground floor walls and ask residents whether water gets into the compound.
Check estate drainage outfall & pumping arrangements. “The area does not flood” is a hollow guaranty: flooding can be street-specific, and blocked drains can turn a passable road into a hazard within hours. If you can, speak to neighbors, security guards and nearby shop owners and don’t just rely on the agent.
Check the person and property
If possible, use a registered estate agent and verify the agent through Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA). Ask to see the landlord’s ID and proof of ownership/letting power. Your solicitor should make a search at the Lagos State Lands Bureau and examine the relevant title documents, survey plan and any mortgage or dispute affecting the property.
Never pay into a personal account solely because an agent sends a social-media listing. Insist on a formal agreement, receipts and a clear refund procedure for deposits.
Know your legal position
The Lagos State Tenancy Law 2011 generally regulates residential tenancies in Lagos, including notice requirements, receipts and certain limits on advance rent. However, application can depend on the property and tenancy structure, while private estate rules may add contractual obligations. Have a lawyer review clauses on renewal, termination, repairs, subletting and service charges. Do not assume a year’s advance is automatically lawful, or automatically avoidable.
Test the commute, not the brochure
Travel from the property to work or school at your actual peak hours. The Lekki–Epe corridor can impose a substantial time cost, especially during rain or road incidents. Check mobile reception, internet availability, parking, security procedures, and emergency access.
In Lekki, the best rental is not necessarily the newest building. It is the one whose total cost, legal status, drainage, utilities, and daily commute remain tolerable after the excitement of moving in has passed.