Dear Nairalanders,

Please I need clarifications. I was shown a house I liked over the weekend somewhere in Iyana Oworo where the Landlord asked for just 1 YEAR RENT of =N=500K.


But to my surprise the Agent in charge told me His commission & Agency charges are calculated on 2 years rent even though I actually am to pay for 1 year!

That means he wants 500K * 2yrs * 10% = 100k as Agency

And another 500k *2yrs * 10% = 100k as Commission


That's 200k together. I am confused and surprised because I thought if at all it should be based on the number years rent I am paying for which is 1 year and not 2 years.

Guys please help clarify if this is the practice!

There is nothing to clarify.
He is simply dubious.

Get another agent and find another house.

If you however love the particular house and you can't let go, then report him to their association thats if he belongs to one anyway.

It's not an unusual practice among quacks. You can negotiate the fees. If he still wouldn't bulge, find something you can afford to close.

to be honest with you .im a lawyer and I didn't want to pay the 2years agency or legal as you are been asking to pay but when you discover that almost every agents is asking for same and you are tired of the house hunting project and you really like what you are offered ,you may wish to just end it and pay the so called illegal fees so you can rest. I paid it .Paying it really has an advantage if you decides to spend another year in the premises because you can show the court that the lease is for 2 years an therefore all you are expected to pay is the 2nd year rent. If the house is perfect for you ,please pay and insist on getting the receipt which they might be reluctant to give you.my landlord and his agent connived not to give me the receipt for the 2 year agency/commission they took from me and had to confront both of them before I was issued one.