A Nigerian lawyer has outlined several actions that tenants cannot perform in a rented apartment without obtaining the landlord's consent. The legal practitioner clarified the distinction between fixtures and fittings, emphasizing which items can be removed or replaced only with permission.
Understanding Fixtures and Fittings
In a TikTok video, the lawyer explained that fixtures are items permanently attached to the property, such as doors and windows. Tenants may wish to replace these with modern alternatives to suit their preferences, but doing so without approval could lead to legal consequences.
The lawyer stated: "As a tenant, there are things you cannot do in a rented apartment without the authority or permission of the landlord. Landlords should also pay attention."
Prohibited Actions Without Landlord Approval
The lawyer listed three specific actions that require the landlord's authorization:
- Installing solar panels: A tenant cannot mount solar panels on the rooftop without the landlord's permission. Doing so may result in a lawsuit for damages.
- Removing doors and windows: Tenants must not remove or replace doors and windows without consent. Unauthorized removal can lead to claims of malicious damage to the property.
- Digging a well: Excavating a well on the rented premises is prohibited without the landlord's authority.
Legal Advice for Tenants
The lawyer, identified as @lawman3653, stressed that any modifications or installations require the landlord's written or verbal permission. He concluded: "The landlord must give you permission, sometimes in writing, before you can do that."
In related news, a Nigerian lady recently moved out of her apartment after the landlord increased the rent by 150 percent, from N1.2 million to N3.2 million. She returned to her father's house, where a room was prepared for her.
Another story reported that a landlord introduced strict rules banning female tenants from wearing short skirts and warned against immoral activities. The notice went viral on social media, sparking mixed reactions.
In a more extreme case, a tenant allegedly forged documents and sold his landlord's four-bedroom duplex in Lagos State for N83 million. He remained in the property for months after the sale before vacating.
