How to Screen Tenants in Nigeria: A Landlord’s Checklist

One bad tenant can cost a landlord a year of unpaid rent, months in court and expensive repairs. The good news is that most problems can be avoided before the tenant moves in. This guide shows how to screen tenants in Nigeria step by step: what to ask, what to check, and the warning signs that should make you say no.

Why tenant screening matters

In Nigeria, rent is usually paid a year in advance, so many landlords focus only on “can they pay this year?” The bigger question is “will they pay next year, and look after the property in between?”

Recovering a property from a tenant who stops paying is slow, because you must give the proper notices and go to court. Spending a few days checking a tenant properly saves you that stress.

How to screen tenants in Nigeria: 8 steps

1. Set clear requirements before you advertise

Decide what you want in a tenant: maximum household size, whether you accept pets, whether business use is allowed, and the documents you need. Put this in your listing so unsuitable people do not apply.

2. Use a proper application form

Ask every applicant for the same information: full name, phone number, current address, occupation and employer, household size, reason for moving, and two guarantors. Using one form for everyone keeps the process fair.

3. Confirm their identity

Ask for a valid ID, ideally the NIN slip or national ID card, and check that the name matches the application form and any bank transfer they make. Keep a copy.

4. Verify their income

Ask for an employment letter, recent payslips or bank statements. For self-employed applicants, ask for their CAC certificate and business statements. A common rule of thumb is that the yearly rent should not be more than about a third of the tenant’s yearly income.

5. Call the previous landlord

This is the most useful check, and the one most landlords skip. Ask:

•             Did they pay rent on time?

•             Did they leave the property in good condition?

•             Would you rent to them again?

If the “previous landlord” sounds like a friend reading from a script, ask a few specific questions about the property.

6. Check the guarantors properly

A guarantor should be a real, reachable person with a stable job or business. Call them, confirm they know the applicant, and collect their ID and signed guarantor form. A guarantor you cannot reach later is no protection at all.

7. Meet the applicant in person

Use the inspection to talk. Are they honest about who will live there? Do they ask sensible questions about the property? First impressions are not everything, but they matter.

8. Put everything in a written tenancy agreement

Once you choose a tenant, sign a written agreement that covers rent, the tenancy period, the caution deposit, repairs, house rules and notice periods. Give a receipt for every payment. Our article on the documents needed to rent a house in Nigeria lists what a good agreement should include.

Red flags when screening tenants

Be careful if an applicant:

•             wants to pay cash only and does not want a receipt in their name;

•             refuses to give guarantors or a previous landlord’s number;

•             is in a hurry to move in today, without inspecting properly;

•             gives a household size that does not match what you see;

•             asks to sublet or run a business without telling you what kind;

•             offers to pay far more than you asked for “quick approval”.

Treat all applicants fairly

Screen on things that affect the tenancy: identity, income, references and how they will use the property. Use the same checks for everyone and keep notes of why you accepted or turned someone down. A fair, consistent process protects you if a decision is ever questioned.

After the tenant moves in

Screening is the start of a good tenancy, not the end. Keep records of every payment, respond to repair requests promptly, and remind tenants before rent is due so renewal is never a surprise.

HouseTracker’s free landlord tools let you record tenants and rent payments, issue invoices and receipts, track maintenance requests and send rent-due reminders by SMS before the due date. Everything stays in one place if you ever need it as evidence.

Frequently asked questions

How do I screen a tenant in Nigeria?
Use one application form for everyone, confirm the applicant’s ID, verify their income, call their previous landlord, check their guarantors, meet them in person, and sign a written tenancy agreement.

What documents should a landlord collect from a tenant?
A valid ID (often the NIN), passport photographs, a completed application form, proof of income such as an employment letter or CAC certificate, and guarantor forms with the guarantors’ IDs.

How many guarantors should a tenant have?
Most landlords ask for one or two. What matters most is that the guarantor is real, reachable and has a stable job or business.

How can I avoid bad tenants?
Do not skip the previous-landlord call and guarantor checks, watch for red flags like cash-only payments or refusing references, and put every term in a written agreement.