danowena:

Obinoscopy:
@danowena, whats your source?

danowena:
These are all personal observations I made after moving into a newly rented apartment. I always thought I had it covered till I moved in and discovered that I have missed some of the items listed. So I decided to make this list to serve as a reminder to me and others who might need it. Anyone is free to add whatever they missed out whilst checking or inspecting an apartment.

ladyF:

ginajet:
Falconey come let go and rent house

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.