Lagos is a fast-paced and industrious city with lots of growth opportunities. This has made it a favorite choice for people who would love to improve their standard of living. On arrival, people in this category need temporary apartments to lay their heads while they settle in. Unfortunately, several rogues are on the streets with fake listings, so you need to verify short stay apartments in Lagos before making payments.
Top Apartment Verification Tips For Lagos Short Stay Apartments
Before paying for any short stay apartment in Lagos, you need to be sure you are not being played. In this section, we discussed essential tips you need to have in place before paying for a short stay apartment in Lagos.
1. Research The Apartment
Many people have fallen victim to fake listings in Lagos. Sometimes, these listings appear like offers that are too good to be true. At other times, you may be pressured to make payments immediately to stay ahead of the high demand for the property.
One of the ways to avoid short-stay scams in Lagos is to research the apartment. Start by confirming that the apartment exists and has an address. Also, check for consistency in the digital footprints of the apartment. If the apartment has an almost inexistent digital footprint, you may need to exercise some patience before payments.
2. Confirm The Apartment’s Physical Address
It’s not enough to have the shortlet’s address, you need to be sure that the address truly belongs to the said shortlet. Sometimes, rogue agents use fake addresses for their listings. At other times, they give ambiguous addresses that are untraceable.
Before making payments to any agent, map the address to the pictures of the shortlet that have been shown to you. You could also make use of tools like Google Maps and Street View to confirm that the property is situated on the given address. Another smart way to confirm is by requesting directions and landmarks. Insist on getting clear routes, not just ambiguous details that are not dependable.
3. Request a Live Video Tour
Many scammers have mastered the art of loading their devices with pictures and videos of apartments they neither own nor have access to. In this digital age, you could outsmart them by requesting a live video tour of the apartment. During the tour, you are confirming that the listing truly exists and the agent has access to the facility.
While watching the video, you need to look for some pointers. First, confirm that the host’s face and voice match what you saw in the earlier pictures and videos. If you notice discrepancies, ensure to raise an alarm and clarify the change. Also, ensure that the furniture, layout, and features match the details that were shown to you online. You could also use the call as an avenue to request specific items that were shown to you in the earlier pictures.
4. Verify The Agent’s or Host’s Legitimacy
Lagos is the home of several middlemen and third parties who do not have access to the properties they advertise online. One major disadvantage of such an arrangement is that they charge exorbitant prices and sometimes peddle inaccurate information. Before confirming their authorization to the venue, you need to be sure you know their real name. One of the ways to confirm this is by requesting a valid means of identification, preferably one issued by the government.
Once their identity is confirmed, you need proof that they are authorized to lease the property. This could be in the form of a written document from the owner. It might also be in the form of digital track records showcasing the agent’s interaction or relationship with the property.
5. Use Trusted Platforms For Booking
One of the best ways to outsmart scammers is by using trusted platforms for your short stay bookings in Lagos. Oftentimes, platforms like WhatsApp groups and random online ads look convenient, but this convenience is sometimes more expensive. Some of the most reputable platforms include Airbnb, Booking.com, ShortletNigeria.com, Fiber.ng, and PropertyPro.ng.
These platforms have functionalities that help you vet listings and probe the identity of the host. You would also have a section where you can report unpleasant experiences and read verified reviews from others.
6. Check Reviews
One of the best ways to know the truth about an online property is to check what other people are saying. What was the experience of previous users? What challenges did they encounter? You could easily find these answers on the organization’s website.
While checking the reviews, look out for the statistics of negative and positive reviews. A few negative reviews do not disqualify the shortlet as a scam, but if you have so many negative reviews, you may need to tread carefully. When going through the negatives, pay attention to the organization’s response tone. If such comments were ignored or deleted, that might be a sign of a bigger problem.
7. Do Not Succumb To Urgency and Unbelievable Prices
Urgency is a tactic many agents use in Lagos. They tend to pressure you to make urgent payments so you can secure your stay in the short-term apartment. If you succumb to such pressure, you may overlook several red flags. This could cost you your hard-earned money.
Another popular tactic to be wary of is offers that are too good to be true. If it is too good to be true, it may not be a legitimate short let in Lagos. Such prices are usually baits waiting to entice people who aren’t paying attention.
Conclusion
It is important for you to be “street smart” when venturing into short stay apartments in Lagos or any apartment in Lagos. No matter the urgency you are in, ensure to put that aside and shine your eyes. Ask important questions, verify the legitimacy of the apartment, and confirm the agent’s authorization to transact. With these in place, you are less likely to be a victim of a short stay apartment scam in Lagos.
