₦airaland Forum

On 20th Dec 2025 I paid 2.7M
With 700k as agent fee amongst other expenses (the sublessor who is a company said that their office activities needs to be evacuated from the building, so I should wait till January 1st). then on 1st January, 2026, I moved into my new 1 room residential apartment for which the sublessor (company) uses the main building for their official activities and just yesterday the company as the sublessor gave me a Non-renewal notice
Reason that they want to “convert the property into office space for its operational use” and they are discontinuing renewal of rent.

Note that before I moved in, the company was making use of the said apartment/property which they rented to me with some of their desks still in my possession.

I have done a number of renovations on the property from
- changing seating room window and entrance door,
- bought door and window burglaries,
- construction of an extension to prevent crawling and flying insects, rain water
- German Flooring a 6/7ft floor at the entrance
- painting
- amongst other things

Honestly, this whole situation has sent me into depression, physiologically imbalance and anxiety.

Please I need guidance on this situation

Hope there's Tenancy agreement, if Yes, hire a competent lawyer to check the clause in the tenancy agreement,if there's clause which you can use to win the landlord in court and did you informed the Landlord or his agents before carrying out those renovations and do you have the Pictures/videos of the apartment before you did the renovations.

SUBTENANCY AGREEMENT
This Subtenancy Agreement is made this 1st day of January 2026.
BETWEEN
Company A, of 53 old road, Lagos State (hereinafter referred to as the "Sub-Lessor", which expression shall where the context admits include his/her heirs, successors and assigns)
AND
MR A” of 7 new land, Lagos (hereinafter referred to as the "Sub-Lessee", which expression shall where the context admits include his/her heirs, successors and assigns).
WHEREAS
A. The Sub-Lessor is the lawful tenant of all that property situate at 53 old road, Lagos State pursuant to a tenancy agreement dated 21s
December 2025 made between the Landlord and Sub-Lessor.
B. The Sub-Lessor has obtained the consent of the Landlord to sublet the demised premises.
C. This Subtenancy shall automatically terminate upon the expiration or earlier determination of the tenancy between the Landlord and the Sub-Lessor.
D. The Sub-Lessee has agreed to a subtenancy of the demised premises subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement.
NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
e
In consideration of the rent herein reserved and the covenants on the part of the Sub-lessee and Sub-lessor herein contained, the Sub-lessor hereby let unto the Sub-lessee all that One Bedroom Boys Quarters Flat Situate at 53 old road, Lagos State ; (herein referred to as the demised premises) to hold same unto the Sub-lessee for a period of One Year (beginning from the 1° January, 2026 and ending on 1* January, 2027) at a rent of N3,000,000
(Three Million Naira only) payable in advance at the commencement of this agreement the receipt of which the Sub-lessor acknowledges.
THE SUB-LESSEE HEREBY COVENANTS WITH THE SUB-LESSOR AS FOLLOWS:
To ensure that all charges applicable in respect of the said property are promptly paid. These charges include:
a. Service Charge: 200,000
b. Estate Levy: 30% of 300,000
c. Waste Disposal
d. Any other utilities attributable to the property unless otherwise agreed.
The Sub-Lessee shall pay a refundable caution fee deposit of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) which shall be returned at the expiration of the Sub-tenancy, subject to deductions for any damage beyond normal wear and tear or outstanding obligations.
Not to do or permit to be done any structural alterations to or in addition to the demised premises without first obtaining the sub-lessor's consent.
'V.
The Sub-Lessee shall keep the demised premises in good and tenantable condition.
The Sub-Lessee shall be responsible for repairs resulting from everyday use.
VI.
The Sub-Lessee shall not keep or permit to be kept any pet or animal whatsoever on the demised premises.
vii.
The Sub-Lessee shall not smoke or permit smoking of cigarettes or any other sulstance on the demised premises or any part thereof.
-he Sub-Lesses shall be entitled to two parking spaces located outside the premises.
-he dem sed premises shall be used strictly for residential purposes only and hall re* be used for any illegal or commercial activity.
he Sub-Lessee shall not assign, sublet, or part with possession of the demised s'em 'ses or any part thereof.
That upon the expration of the Subtenancy, the Sub-lessee shall deliver up acant possessior to the Sub-lessor.
THE SUB-LESSOR HEREBY COVENANTS WITH THE SUB-LESSEE AS FOLLOWS:
The Suk-Lessee stall peaceably and quietly enjoy the demised premises without interr. ption by the Sub-Lessor, provided the Sub-Lessee complies with the terms
Upon default of payment of rent or breaches of any covenant herein, the SoUl -Lessor may take stepsto recover or brsaches.df ory coveratheapicabie tenancy laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF THE PARTIES HERETO SET THEIR HANDS TO THIS AGREEMENT ON THE DAY AND YEAR FIRST MENTIONED HEREIN ABOVE.
THE COMMON SEAL OF THE WITHIN NAMED SUB-LESSOR GRAND TOWERS
LIMITEDIS AFFIXED HEREUNTO IN THE PRESENCE OF:

Before you renovated the property did you inform the sublessor or the landlord? If yes are there videos or audio proofs, most importantly before and after photos of the said property.

Although they are well withing their rights to notify of an eventual eviction from their property. But you surely deserve a compensation from them for your renovation cost. No need to feel depressed, you'll only do yourself more harm than good in such a state of mind.

Skydiv:
Before you renovated the property did you inform the sublessor or the landlord? If yes are there videos or audio proofs, most importantly before and after photos of the said property.

Although they are well withing their rights to notify of an eventual eviction from their property. But you surely deserve a compensation from them for your renovation cost. No need to feel depressed, you'll only do yourself more harm than good in such a state of mind.

I did not notify them.
Thank you. I just feel so so sad that after all the money spent, effort made in parking and now I am in another state of finding a house again with money to spend again.

That agency fee you paid is outrageous

VirusVaccine:
On 20th Dec 2025 I paid 2.7M
With 700k as agent fee amongst other expenses (the sublessor who is a company said that their office activities needs to be evacuated from the building, so I should wait till January 1st). then on 1st January, 2026, I moved into my new 1 room residential apartment for which the sublessor (company) uses the main building for their official activities and just yesterday the company as the sublessor gave me a Non-renewal notice
Reason that they want to “convert the property into office space for its operational use” and they are discontinuing renewal of rent.

Note that before I moved in, the company was making use of the said apartment/property which they rented to me with some of their desks still in my possession.

I have done a number of renovations on the property from
- changing seating room window and entrance door,
- bought door and window burglaries,
- construction of an extension to prevent crawling and flying insects, rain water
- German Flooring a 6/7ft floor at the entrance
- painting
- amongst other things

Honestly, this whole situation has sent me into depression, physiologically imbalance and anxiety.

Please I need guidance on this situation

Mod
lalasticlala Dominique Mynd44

Was the Landlord aware their tenant was subletting?

*You do not carry out reconstruction on the demised property* op. Once property is on sublease,neither you nor the leasor has a right to alter the original state of the said property. I think u purposely removed this clause to absolve yourself of blame. I draft tenancy agreements and having gone through this agreement you put up, that clause is conspicuously omitted. Start asking yourself questions from that point 📍

My advice is that you use the notice period to look for another house instead of litigation which will come at a cost while the outcome is 50-50 for or against you. Even though I’m currently a landlord, I was a tenant for a long period of time and had my unfair share of landlord/tenant disputes with some ending in court.

Unless you have the time and the strength for the stress that comes with court cases, I’d recommend that you find another house and vacate. If the notice period is not enough to find another suitable house, ask the sublessor to give you more time. If you ask nicely, any reasonable landlord would definitely oblige you. Be patient, you’ll be a landlord soon because most landlords started out as tenants. Good luck.

chicfarmer:
That agency fee you paid is outrageous

leave am na them dey mk house dey cost anyhow..... Pay 700k for agent..... Now u are crying they still pack u out ....oga cry ur cry in peace.. nonsense 🙄

Remove everything removable that you installed in that house, then move.

Make sure you revert the house to the state you saw it.

From the agreement, I'm sorry to say that you don't appear to have a strong case. The terms of the agreement work against you.
My advice is to write to them requesting compensation for the renovation work you carried out and see how they respond. However, as far as pursuing a legal case based on the agreement is concerned, it doesn't appear that you have a solid basis because the agreement effectively closes that option.

VirusVaccine:
I did not notify them.
Thank you. I just feel so so sad that after all the money spent, effort made in parking and now I am in another state of finding a house again with money to spend again.

You made a mistake by not informing them before carrying out the renovation on their property. You put yourself in a hard place. Appeal to them, if they can temper mercy with judgement. Getting depressed is a no-no. You may be on a journey of no-return. If nothing comes out after your begging, forgerrrrit

No eviction is unfair... It's the owners assets to do with it as it fits him as long as it's legal

VirusVaccine:
On 20th Dec 2025 I paid 2.7M
With 700k as agent fee amongst other expenses (the sublessor who is a company said that their office activities needs to be evacuated from the building, so I should wait till January 1st). then on 1st January, 2026, I moved into my new 1 room residential apartment for which the sublessor (company) uses the main building for their official activities and just yesterday the company as the sublessor gave me a Non-renewal notice
Reason that they want to “convert the property into office space for its operational use” and they are discontinuing renewal of rent.

Note that before I moved in, the company was making use of the said apartment/property which they rented to me with some of their desks still in my possession.

I have done a number of renovations on the property from
- changing seating room window and entrance door,
- bought door and window burglaries,
- construction of an extension to prevent crawling and flying insects, rain water
- German Flooring a 6/7ft floor at the entrance
- painting
- amongst other things

Honestly, this whole situation has sent me into depression, physiologically imbalance and anxiety.

Please I need guidance on this situation

Why u go overhaul another man property...

VirusVaccine:
On 20th Dec 2025 I paid 2.7M
With 700k as agent fee amongst other expenses (the sublessor who is a company said that their office activities needs to be evacuated from the building, so I should wait till January 1st). then on 1st January, 2026, I moved into my new 1 room residential apartment for which the sublessor (company) uses the main building for their official activities and just yesterday the company as the sublessor gave me a Non-renewal notice
Reason that they want to “convert the property into office space for its operational use” and they are discontinuing renewal of rent.

Note that before I moved in, the company was making use of the said apartment/property which they rented to me with some of their desks still in my possession.

I have done a number of renovations on the property from
- changing seating room window and entrance door,
- bought door and window burglaries,
- construction of an extension to prevent crawling and flying insects, rain water
- German Flooring a 6/7ft floor at the entrance
- painting
- amongst other things

Honestly, this whole situation has sent me into depression, physiologically imbalance and anxiety.

Please I need guidance on this situation

Tell them to compensate you before you can move

VirusVaccine:
On 20th Dec 2025 I paid 2.7M
With 700k as agent fee amongst other expenses (the sublessor who is a company said that their office activities needs to be evacuated from the building, so I should wait till January 1st). then on 1st January, 2026, I moved into my new 1 room residential apartment for which the sublessor (company) uses the main building for their official activities and just yesterday the company as the sublessor gave me a Non-renewal notice
Reason that they want to “convert the property into office space for its operational use” and they are discontinuing renewal of rent.

Note that before I moved in, the company was making use of the said apartment/property which they rented to me with some of their desks still in my possession.

I have done a number of renovations on the property from
- changing seating room window and entrance door,
- bought door and window burglaries,
- construction of an extension to prevent crawling and flying insects, rain water
- German Flooring a 6/7ft floor at the entrance
- painting
- amongst other things

Honestly, this whole situation has sent me into depression, physiologically imbalance and anxiety.

Please I need guidance on this situation

What’s the notice period given you? 6 months?

Once they do all that. Just know they want to increase the rent. Since this government comes on board. It's from one rent increase to another.

Inflation spirals. Sending citizens to akara and kulikuli business. That can barely pays any bills in today Nigeria.during buhari local hotels that were charging 2k a night are now charging 10k

While the ones you could have rent for 10k before now charging from 30k to 50k per night.


Incomes barely pays any bills. Yet rent keep going higher

VirusVaccine:
I did not notify them.
Thank you. I just feel so so sad that after all the money spent, effort made in parking and now I am in another state of finding a house again with money to spend again.

This was you first major mistake.

In this situation you should have informed them in writing, in fact al correspondences should be in writing

This is a difficult situation, but don't panic or move out immediately without understanding your rights.

A few things stand out:
* You paid ₦2.7 million plus about ₦700,000 in agency and related costs less than a year ago.
* The reason given for the non-renewal is that the company now wants to use the property as office space.
* You also invested your own money in improvements to the apartment.

Here are some practical steps:

1. Read your tenancy agreement carefully.Check:
* The duration of the tenancy.
* Whether there is any clause allowing the landlord to refuse renewal.
* Whether there is any provision about improvements made by the tenant.
* The notice period required before the tenancy ends.

2. Keep every document. Preserve your tenancy agreement, payment receipts, the non-renewal notice, photos of the renovations, invoices, and any WhatsApp messages or emails with the company.

3. Don't remove fixtures without checking first. If the burglar-proof bars, doors, or other installations were permanently fixed to the property, removing them could create another dispute. Get legal advice before doing so.

4. Negotiate first. Since they are the ones changing the use of the property, you can request compensation for the unexhausted value of the improvements you made, especially if they knew about and permitted them. They may not be legally obliged to reimburse everything, but there's no harm in asking.

5. Consult a property lawyer. A lawyer can review your tenancy agreement and advise whether the notice complies with the law applicable in your state and whether you have any claim regarding your improvements.

Finally, I would also encourage you not to blame yourself. Many tenants make improvements believing they'll remain in a property for several years. In the future, for substantial renovations, it's wise to obtain the landlord's written consent and an agreement on reimbursement or ownership before spending significant amounts.

One question that will make a big difference legally: Which state is the property located in (Lagos, Abuja/FCT, or another state), and when does your tenancy actually expire according to your agreement? That will determine what notice you're entitled to and what legal protections may apply.

VirusVaccine:
On 20th Dec 2025 I paid 2.7M
With 700k as agent fee amongst other expenses (the sublessor who is a company said that their office activities needs to be evacuated from the building, so I should wait till January 1st). then on 1st January, 2026, I moved into my new 1 room residential apartment for which the sublessor (company) uses the main building for their official activities and just yesterday the company as the sublessor gave me a Non-renewal notice
Reason that they want to “convert the property into office space for its operational use” and they are discontinuing renewal of rent.

Note that before I moved in, the company was making use of the said apartment/property which they rented to me with some of their desks still in my possession.

I have done a number of renovations on the property from
- changing seating room window and entrance door,
- bought door and window burglaries,
- construction of an extension to prevent crawling and flying insects, rain water
- German Flooring a 6/7ft floor at the entrance
- painting
- amongst other things

Honestly, this whole situation has sent me into depression, physiologically imbalance and anxiety.

Please I need guidance on this situation

VirusVaccine:
On 20th Dec 2025 I paid 2.7M
With 700k as agent fee amongst other expenses (the sublessor who is a company said that their office activities needs to be evacuated from the building, so I should wait till January 1st). then on 1st January, 2026, I moved into my new 1 room residential apartment for which the sublessor (company) uses the main building for their official activities and just yesterday the company as the sublessor gave me a Non-renewal notice
Reason that they want to “convert the property into office space for its operational use” and they are discontinuing renewal of rent.

Note that before I moved in, the company was making use of the said apartment/property which they rented to me with some of their desks still in my possession.

I have done a number of renovations on the property from
- changing seating room window and entrance door,
- bought door and window burglaries,
- construction of an extension to prevent crawling and flying insects, rain water
- German Flooring a 6/7ft floor at the entrance
- painting
- amongst other things

Honestly, this whole situation has sent me into depression, physiologically imbalance and anxiety.

Please I need guidance on this situation

You cant win your landlord...go buid your own

Stop.investing into borrowed ppties, they can ask you to leave at any time T

Why will anyone renovate a place that’s not theirs

You dey carry your private matter come nairaland? Even those who are still living with their parents will be here to advise you just for the fun of it. You go explain full time.

I have never fixed any landlord's house before. I always rent houses that are in good condition.


My former landlord refunded all his tenants 6 months rent, when he wanted to do redesign... renovate. I always say a good silent prayers for him anytime I pass his office.

verminnel:
*You do not carry out reconstruction on the demised property* op. Once property is on sublease,neither you nor the leasor has a right to alter the original state of the said property. I think u purposely removed this clause to absolve yourself of blame. I draft tenancy agreements and having gone through this agreement you put up, that clause is conspicuously omitted. Start asking yourself questions from that point 📍

I wonder how he was expecting to get sound advise when he intentionally withheld useful information regarding the rental agreement he signed?

VirusVaccine:
On 20th Dec 2025 I paid 2.7M
With 700k as agent fee amongst other expenses (the sublessor who is a company said that their office activities needs to be evacuated from the building, so I should wait till January 1st). then on 1st January, 2026, I moved into my new 1 room residential apartment for which the sublessor (company) uses the main building for their official activities and just yesterday the company as the sublessor gave me a Non-renewal notice
Reason that they want to “convert the property into office space for its operational use” and they are discontinuing renewal of rent.

Note that before I moved in, the company was making use of the said apartment/property which they rented to me with some of their desks still in my possession.

I have done a number of renovations on the property from
- changing seating room window and entrance door,
- bought door and window burglaries,
- construction of an extension to prevent crawling and flying insects, rain water
- German Flooring a 6/7ft floor at the entrance
- painting
- amongst other things

Honestly, this whole situation has sent me into depression, physiologically imbalance and anxiety.

Please I need guidance on this situation

If you refuse to leave, they might resort to frustrating tactics like cutting off your power or water.

However, any legal eviction process takes anywhere from 2 to 6 months to conclude and enforce, counting from the day your rent expires. So you can stubbornly buy some time. However your exit is ultimately inevitable.

Your best bet right now though is to approach them reasonably to negotiate an extension, while ensuring they understand that a peaceful, timely handover depends on them compensating you for your extensive renovations.

No

VirusVaccine:
On 20th Dec 2025 I paid 2.7M
With 700k as agent fee amongst other expenses (the sublessor who is a company said that their office activities needs to be evacuated from the building, so I should wait till January 1st). then on 1st January, 2026, I moved into my new 1 room residential apartment for which the sublessor (company) uses the main building for their official activities and just yesterday the company as the sublessor gave me a Non-renewal notice
Reason that they want to “convert the property into office space for its operational use” and they are discontinuing renewal of rent.

Note that before I moved in, the company was making use of the said apartment/property which they rented to me with some of their desks still in my possession.

I have done a number of renovations on the property from
- changing seating room window and entrance door,
- bought door and window burglaries,
- construction of an extension to prevent crawling and flying insects, rain water
- German Flooring a 6/7ft floor at the entrance
- painting
- amongst other things

Honestly, this whole situation has sent me into depression, physiologically imbalance and anxiety.

Please I need guidance on this situation

Before you start the renovation did you have an agreement to renovate with the sublessor?
You don't go into renovating another person's property without consulting the property owner just because you rented it

VirusVaccine:
On 20th Dec 2025 I paid 2.7M
With 700k as agent fee amongst other expenses (the sublessor who is a company said that their office activities needs to be evacuated from the building, so I should wait till January 1st). then on 1st January, 2026, I moved into my new 1 room residential apartment for which the sublessor (company) uses the main building for their official activities and just yesterday the company as the sublessor gave me a Non-renewal notice
Reason that they want to “convert the property into office space for its operational use” and they are discontinuing renewal of rent.

Note that before I moved in, the company was making use of the said apartment/property which they rented to me with some of their desks still in my possession.

I have done a number of renovations on the property from
- changing seating room window and entrance door,
- bought door and window burglaries,
- construction of an extension to prevent crawling and flying insects, rain water
- German Flooring a 6/7ft floor at the entrance
- painting
- amongst other things

Honestly, this whole situation has sent me into depression, physiologically imbalance and anxiety.

Please I need guidance on this situation

how U too go dey build house for another person?

Two things that doesn’t always end well:

1) Training a woman through school
2) fixing another person’s house

The agreement stated it does not permit modifications to its property unless with permission. But, You can still ask for half refund for the cost of repairs.

I'm really sorry that you are going through this. Its now a trend among Property owners in Nigeria, to watch you renovate the apartment to taste, only to get kicked out or rent upsurge

chicfarmer:
That agency fee you paid is outrageous

You're out of tune with current realities in the properties market

ceejay80s:
how U too go dey build house for another person?

People won't stop making this mistake