A Nigerian tenant has shared a distressing experience after moving into a luxury apartment that turned out to be a major disappointment. The man, identified as Bobby on TikTok (@just1bobby_), revealed he paid a hefty annual rent of N2 million only to discover the property lacked basic, essential amenities.
A Costly Discovery: No Water, No Light
According to Bobby's detailed account, his move into the apartment was met with an immediate shock. Despite the high cost, the property had no functional water supply and no electricity. The installed water system did not flow, forcing him to rely on vendors for his daily water needs, adding unexpected costs and inconvenience to his living situation.
He endured these poor conditions for a year, highlighting a significant failure on the part of the landlord to provide the basic utilities that the high rent should have guaranteed.
The Final Straw: A Sudden Rent Hike and Quit Notice
The situation escalated dramatically when the landlord issued a quit notice to Bobby and half of the other tenants in the building. The notice demanded they either vacate the property or agree to a massive rent increase. The landlord proposed raising the annual rent from the initial N2 million to over N3 million, a jump of more than 50%.
Bobby expressed his frustration in a TikTok video, questioning the landlord's rationale. "You are giving a quit notice to tenants that lacked the basic necessities you were supposed to make available in a house you are being paid rent for?" he asked. He noted that many tenants who moved in before and with him had already left prematurely, unable to wait for their rent to expire, indicating how severe the conditions were.
Public Reaction and Tenant Rights in Nigeria
The video sparked significant reactions online, with many Nigerians sympathizing with Bobby's plight. Commenters praised his composure, with one user, @wetinconcernsoft, noting, "The way he expressed his anger without throwing a single insult? That’s real discipline and maturity."
More importantly, the discussion turned to tenant rights in Nigeria. A user named @Damilola_009 provided a crucial legal perspective, stating that a landlord typically cannot increase rent for a tenant who has lived in a property for less than three years. Furthermore, any increase requires advance notice—usually at least three months—and mutual agreement. The commenter emphasized that many Nigerians are unaware of their rights, which exacerbates such disputes.
This case stands in stark contrast to another recent story where a benevolent landlord gifted a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) tenant N2 million upon her departure, showcasing the vast spectrum of landlord-tenant relationships in the country.
Bobby's experience underscores the chronic issues within Nigeria's rental housing market, where exorbitant prices do not always match the quality of living conditions, and tenants often face arbitrary decisions from property owners. His decision to pack his bags and leave highlights a growing frustration among renters seeking value and fairness.
