₦airaland Forum

ladyF:
I don't have to worry about most of these in my hut

It's [size=15pt]FynestGeh[/size] again

samsam2019:
sorry, but your #17 makes no sense


I mean you can't afford nets in your house or what that you have to turn a house down because of mosquitoes?




Funny

kayo80:
Very informative. I wish I had seen this before I rented the new place I am currently staying in.

3.Dampness

If it is a ground floor apartment or duplex, check the bottom of the wall on the ground floor. If the bottom of the walls were all tiled. This is a sure sign of dampness. If the walls are painted, check if the paint or plaster is swelling or breaking off at the bottom.

I have observed the above in my new apartment. But I am already in it...what do I do now?

danowena:
RENTING: Important checks to make

1. Security
Before renting that house, make sure you confirm the security situation of the area or street. Simply dress normal and strike a conversation with the groundnut seller,vulcaniser, mallam or kiosk owner. Systematically ask for robbery or burglar history of the area. You could go to the nearest police station and do the needful for a good feedback. Your agent or landlord will never tell you the truth if the security is poor.
Also look at the buildings around the intended compound. Is there an undeveloped or unoccupied plot of land next to it? Is the fence around ur compound high. Are there barbed wires, electrical fencing or sharp edges on the fence to deter/discourage hoodlums? Is the gate of the compound always locked and is there any that checks the traffic at the gate if not always locked? Do not fall for the trick of we will get a mallam as soon as you pay.
Is the apartment secure? Are there adequate measures on ground to prevent easy access by burglars? Burglary proofs are properly made and fastened; doors properly closing and all locks are in good working order. Take your time to check the locks otherwise you will be installing locks at your own expense.

Ask for the security charges if any. This will help your planning and budgeting.

2. Leakages

Check the ceiling or POP for signs of leakages. If it has been leaking, you will see signs of dried water unless it has been painted. Check the decking for leakages especially at the bathrooms, toilets and kitchens. Some decks leak water and it is important you check this.
Flush the toilets and watch patiently to see signs of leakages in the toilet and on the outside of the toilet. Take your time, it is your money and your agent should work for his money too.
Run all the taps in the house (toilet, bathrooms, kitchen , dining) to make sure there is no leakage. Patiently watch as the water run through the waste pipe. Check on the other side too for leakages otherwise, the plumber will be your regular customer.

Also check the windows to ensure that they will seal properly and not allow water ingress. Check the doors leading outside to ensure that there won't be water ingress during rains. Otherwise, you will be very busy when it rains and you stand the chance of damaging your important documents.

3.Dampness

If it is a ground floor apartment or duplex, check the bottom of the wall on the ground floor. If the bottom of the walls were all tiled. This is a sure sign of dampness. If the walls are painted, check if the paint or plaster is swelling or breaking off at the bottom.

4.Kitchen

As mentioned earlier, run the taps and check for leakages under the sink or along the pipe and joints.

Open all cabinets and close them. Check the cabinet doors and hinges. Check all switches and sockets to ensure they are properly fastens to the wall and working.

5.Electrical system

If there is light, ensure that all the switches and sockets are proper fastened. This check should be done for every part of the house. A house with a faulty electrical system will frustrate and cost you more money.

Find out the power situations of the area. Some areas do not have light for weeks. While on the other hand , some areas have good power supply. If possible endeavour to stay in an area with good power supply otherwise, your living expenses will increase due to running a generator.

6.Painting

Check the state of the paint and if not in good condition, negotiate the possibility of the house being repainted. This is quite uncommon unless a new house.

7.Neighbours

Check the calorie of people living in the house. This can be quickly done by the types of cars, things you see in the balcony of neighbours, air conditioning systems (fan, Split AC, Window AC, ETC). This is subjective and some people live a humble life so this system is not accurate but can give you an idea. Don't be a king in your compound otherwise when it is time for joint efforts, you will be frustrated or doing it alone.

8.Metering and Power Supply

If possible look for an apartment with prepaid meter. That way, you can control your billing unlike the post-paid. Ensure you follow the steps that were given in this thread :

https://www.nairaland.com/3201866/before-rent-house#47134997

Ensure that there are no inherent bills on the metre.

Avoid shared metres unless you really cannot afford to so.

Try to find out if the area enjoys good power supply or not. This will help in determining your budget for running your generator.

9.Tidiness of the compound

Check the tidiness of the compound especially at the back of side that is less used. The back of that apparently. Neat house may be a dump. All the neatness could be packaging.

Find out about the means of garbage disposal.How are garbage disposed? Is it joint waste drum or individual? Is it dump truck or aboki push trucks? If joint, how is the service paid?



10. Water Supply
Ensure you know how the water runs. Is there always water? How is the water pumped. How often is the water pumping done. How many tanks does the compound have. Is the tank adequate for the number of flats /usage?


11.Shared Utility Bills

The security lights and Water pumping Machines may not have their own meter. Find out and confirm where these are connected. Are they connected to the apartment you are about taking? If so, how do the neighbours reimburse you for the extra bill incurred?

12.Cracks

Avoid renting apartments with cracks. Some cracks are due to poor plastering or stress caused by ground movements (this can be seen in a lot of houses in gbagada area of lagos). However, when see cracks in the middle of a decking, pillar or a crack that is running almost vertically on the wall; you will need to reassess to ensure that the house is not collapsing. If you don't know how to know a house that is getting close to collapse, simply look for another house to avoid stories that will touch your mother and family.

13.Spiritual covering

I understand that this is nigeria and a lot of people went to various lengths to get their money. Some went diabolic. When some people move into some houses, their financial or family situations gets worse. Some people will enter a house with 2 cars but will leave with no car , no job or very bad business. Please pray very well before looking for an apartment so that you will not be interested in the destiny killing ones.

14. Road Access

The state of the road leading to your intended apartment is of importance. Otherwise you may regret during the raining season. It is always wiser to do an inspection during the raining season or after it has rained heavily as this will reveal the true state of the road.

The road access and connectivity to major places of interest should also be checked.

15. Flooding.

Check the height of the compound to the road or drainage. Check that the German flooring is high enough to keep you from the floods when it rains. Avoid stories that touch.

centboy123456:
What is this one saying. What do u mean by. Spiritual covering guy go and sit down u don't know anytin

danowena:
RENTING: Important checks to make

1. Security
Before renting that house, make sure you confirm the security situation of the area or street. Simply dress normal and strike a conversation with the groundnut seller,vulcaniser, mallam or kiosk owner. Systematically ask for robbery or burglar history of the area. You could go to the nearest police station and do the needful for a good feedback. Your agent or landlord will never tell you the truth if the security is poor.
Also look at the buildings around the intended compound. Is there an undeveloped or unoccupied plot of land next to it? Is the fence around ur compound high. Are there barbed wires, electrical fencing or sharp edges on the fence to deter/discourage hoodlums? Is the gate of the compound always locked and is there any that checks the traffic at the gate if not always locked? Do not fall for the trick of we will get a mallam as soon as you pay.
Is the apartment secure? Are there adequate measures on ground to prevent easy access by burglars? Burglary proofs are properly made and fastened; doors properly closing and all locks are in good working order. Take your time to check the locks otherwise you will be installing locks at your own expense.

Ask for the security charges if any. This will help your planning and budgeting.

2. Leakages

Check the ceiling or POP for signs of leakages. If it has been leaking, you will see signs of dried water unless it has been painted. Check the decking for leakages especially at the bathrooms, toilets and kitchens. Some decks leak water and it is important you check this.
Flush the toilets and watch patiently to see signs of leakages in the toilet and on the outside of the toilet. Take your time, it is your money and your agent should work for his money too.
Run all the taps in the house (toilet, bathrooms, kitchen , dining) to make sure there is no leakage. Patiently watch as the water run through the waste pipe. Check on the other side too for leakages otherwise, the plumber will be your regular customer.

Also check the windows to ensure that they will seal properly and not allow water ingress. Check the doors leading outside to ensure that there won't be water ingress during rains. Otherwise, you will be very busy when it rains and you stand the chance of damaging your important documents.

3.Dampness

If it is a ground floor apartment or duplex, check the bottom of the wall on the ground floor. If the bottom of the walls were all tiled. This is a sure sign of dampness. If the walls are painted, check if the paint or plaster is swelling or breaking off at the bottom.

4.Kitchen

As mentioned earlier, run the taps and check for leakages under the sink or along the pipe and joints.

Open all cabinets and close them. Check the cabinet doors and hinges. Check all switches and sockets to ensure they are properly fastens to the wall and working.

5.Electrical system

If there is light, ensure that all the switches and sockets are proper fastened. This check should be done for every part of the house. A house with a faulty electrical system will frustrate and cost you more money.

Find out the power situations of the area. Some areas do not have light for weeks. While on the other hand , some areas have good power supply. If possible endeavour to stay in an area with good power supply otherwise, your living expenses will increase due to running a generator.

6.Painting

Check the state of the paint and if not in good condition, negotiate the possibility of the house being repainted. This is quite uncommon unless a new house.

7.Neighbours

Check the calorie of people living in the house. This can be quickly done by the types of cars, things you see in the balcony of neighbours, air conditioning systems (fan, Split AC, Window AC, ETC). This is subjective and some people live a humble life so this system is not accurate but can give you an idea. Don't be a king in your compound otherwise when it is time for joint efforts, you will be frustrated or doing it alone.

8.Metering and Power Supply

If possible look for an apartment with prepaid meter. That way, you can control your billing unlike the post-paid. Ensure you follow the steps that were given in this thread :

https://www.nairaland.com/3201866/before-rent-house#47134997

Ensure that there are no inherent bills on the metre.

Avoid shared metres unless you really cannot afford to so.

Try to find out if the area enjoys good power supply or not. This will help in determining your budget for running your generator.

9.Tidiness of the compound

Check the tidiness of the compound especially at the back of side that is less used. The back of that apparently. Neat house may be a dump. All the neatness could be packaging.

Find out about the means of garbage disposal.How are garbage disposed? Is it joint waste drum or individual? Is it dump truck or aboki push trucks? If joint, how is the service paid?



10. Water Supply
Ensure you know how the water runs. Is there always water? How is the water pumped. How often is the water pumping done. How many tanks does the compound have. Is the tank adequate for the number of flats /usage?


11.Shared Utility Bills

The security lights and Water pumping Machines may not have their own meter. Find out and confirm where these are connected. Are they connected to the apartment you are about taking? If so, how do the neighbours reimburse you for the extra bill incurred?

12.Cracks

Avoid renting apartments with cracks. Some cracks are due to poor plastering or stress caused by ground movements (this can be seen in a lot of houses in gbagada area of lagos). However, when see cracks in the middle of a decking, pillar or a crack that is running almost vertically on the wall; you will need to reassess to ensure that the house is not collapsing. If you don't know how to know a house that is getting close to collapse, simply look for another house to avoid stories that will touch your mother and family.

13.Spiritual covering

I understand that this is nigeria and a lot of people went to various lengths to get their money. Some went diabolic. When some people move into some houses, their financial or family situations gets worse. Some people will enter a house with 2 cars but will leave with no car , no job or very bad business. Please pray very well before looking for an apartment so that you will not be interested in the destiny killing ones.

14. Road Access

The state of the road leading to your intended apartment is of importance. Otherwise you may regret during the raining season. It is always wiser to do an inspection during the raining season or after it has rained heavily as this will reveal the true state of the road.

The road access and connectivity to major places of interest should also be checked.

15. Flooding.

Check the height of the compound to the road or drainage. Check that the German flooring is high enough to keep you from the floods when it rains. Avoid stories that touch.

danowena:
RENTING: Important checks to make


7.Neighbours

Check the calorie of people living in the house. This can be quickly done by the types of cars, things you see in the balcony of neighbours, air conditioning systems (fan, Split AC, Window AC, ETC). This is subjective and some people live a humble life so this system is not accurate but can give you an idea. Don't be a king in your compound otherwise when it is time for joint efforts, you will be frustrated or doing it alone.

[

danowena:
RENTING: Important checks to make

1. Security
2. Leakages
3.Dampness
4.Kitchen
5.Electrical system
6.Painting
7.Neighbours
8.Metering and Power Supply
9.Tidiness of the compound
10. Water Supply
11.Shared Utility Bills
12.Cracks
13.Spiritual covering
14. Road Access
15. Flooding.
Avoid stories that touch.

ladyF:
I don't have to worry about most of these in my hut

It's [size=15pt]FynestGeh[/size] again

May19th:
If you are looking for house in Agbor Delta state, The state Governor's village, the only thing you should check is if the landlord, landlady or neighbors fly at night, 80% do. if no one does all thses other checks does'nt matter.

Aroh48:
That No 13,I am confuse about that.There was a time I wanted to rent an apartment,I took my friend there after looking at the house he told me that its a scorpion house.The next one,he said its a snake house.we went to another house and he said that house is a dragon house.I was just looking at him with mouth open.

centboy123456:
What is this one saying. What do u mean by. Spiritual covering guy go and sit down u don't know anytin

Rett0:
This is so true. We moved out from a house similar to this. Everything was so cool, the landlord n family were the sweetest. They were d very pals.
But i noticed only them were prospering. I lost jobs paying good 6 digits on that house without any been my fault. I lost lots of opportunities beyond reasoning. My hubby hardly got any promotions, my car was stolen, my brother could not get any meaningful offer, I almost lost my pregnancy. so we started praying.
That was when i realized that other neighbours were facing same issues. One was earning almost 400k and was suddenly dropped and could no longer feed or pay rent. Another almost lost his land he had been paying for cos he could no longer pay and his wife constantly had miscarriages.

Infact we had to run away. When they knew we were leaving, they came to beg that we should stay or did they offend us? Have they not been nice? The moment we were set to run away my hubby got promoted, my brother got a sweet job 2 weeks after we moved. Not long after i got a job and gave birth safely.

gabbytabby:
This one is not true cos this represents additional cost to beautify the flat.

Tolutheo:
If you are renting the house from an agent and the landlord does not stay in the compound. Be sure to meet the landlord/landlady personally before dropping any kobo of your money. "Don't listen to stuffs like: "The landlord/landlady is in London." They are all lies. Thank me later.

samsam2019:
sorry, but your #17 makes no sense


I mean you can't afford nets in your house or what that you have to turn a house down because of mosquitoes?




Funny

carpenter:
The points are good but you may not find a house that would tick all the boxes. You take those that are very important to you and find a way to mitigate the rest. I give am example.

1. Problem: My house has those creeping water walls, the whole estate is like that but it is fairly safe.
Mitigation: I just use waterproof cement and repaint. Someone also suggested after using waterproof cement, I should use marine paint....I have not tried that yet. I have only repainted once in 5 years.

2. Problem:The water pipes are conduit and am sure they are leaking because my water tank will finish in a day if I leave it on.
Mitigation: I bought a standalone tank so I don't have to pump water all the time, also installed valves to ensure I can turn off the water flow through those pipes when I don't need it. For the kitchen, I have a big water bucket that we fetch water to, from the kitchen tap.

3. Problem: We have a security problem that borders around petty thieves especially when there is no one in the house and when there is no light.
Mitigation: Installed burglary proof and got a solar system, so security lights are always on.

I love the estate, I love the house. I am willing to spend a little to put it into a good shape and enjoy it as much as I can. I am careful about doing too much though e.g. breaking the walls to solve the water pipe problem; that is not my problem and my house maintenance budget will not cover that. I can walk around 2am if I feel like, buy eggs on a Sunday morning, bike, several ATMs available, fuel filling station, market, loads of supermarkets, Pharmacy, hospitals are about 1km away, fairly accessible roads, cheap rent compared to other places in the same area, Lovely neighbours ... and some places and services I don't patronize but might appeal to others...viewing centers, joints, trashy night club, Suya spot, fresh bread.

truthfulness:
Is it in Abuja?