dipset01:
This is an issue that has been on my mind for a while now, and i want to share tonight, service estate.

I have realized many of the Lagos developers are scams, firstly they prices of houses being sold are over inflated, while i give it to them that the quality of finishing for most of the houses on the island are nice, the prices for many of them are outrageous.

However what is most annoying is the new scam, where even after buying the said property for ten of millions the developer will make themselves the appointed estate managers for the said facilities. They begin to charge services charges of almost 500k per annum. My sister lives in one of these so called estate and i can tell you it a scam. They collect all form of monies in the name of service charges. How can i be paying 500k for maintenance fees, is that not almost another house rent in disguise. After paying 40m to buy the house. When you look into the breakdown, you begin to see things like salary for facilities managers, gardeners, generator maintenance etc They tell you, you cant use generator in the estate the estate has a central gen which you pay for maintenance monthly. You can not drill your borehole. Same goes to electricity and water. You cant buy unit from phcn directly but from the estate who sell at a higher rate. Please dont get me wrong for many of these estate they looked well maintained with the flowers trimed but the cost is just too much and are always subjected to upward review.

This is a departure from the past where an estate company develops an estate, puts in the required infrastructure and then compel you to pay the infrastructure fee at time of purchase usually 1m-3m. After paying for your apartment. Then those within the estate can form an association and then the association is responsible for the maintenance and up keep of the estate. Funds these way are properly monitored and accounted for.

Those who own estate need to wake up and fight against this new scam. When you sell something to me, i should own it 100%.You dont tell me how to live or use my house.

dipset01:
How can i be paying 500k for maintenance fees, is that not almost another house rent in disguise. After paying 40m to buy the house.

Afriqan:


That's why you should read the terms and conditions before buying any piece of property.

There are still people who chose to buy lands from Omo Onile, despite their troubles, cos they know they want 100% independence. On the flip side, others don't mind paying to live a more sheltered life. C'est la vie!