The complete landlord guide
Everything you need to list your property, attract quality tenants, and manage your rentals on e-landlord, without a single agent involved.
Create and verify your account
Start by registering as a landlord. The verification process is what sets e-landlord apart. It's what makes tenants trust listings here more than anywhere else.
You'll need to provide your National Identification Number (NIN), a valid government-issued ID (driver's licence, international passport, or national ID card), and proof of property ownership for each property you intend to list. Accepted ownership documents include a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), Right of Occupancy (R of O), deed of assignment, allocation letter, or a registered survey plan.
Our verification team reviews submissions within 1-3 business days. You'll receive an email notification when your account is approved. Once approved, your profile displays the green 'Verified Landlord' and 'NIN Verified' badges. These are significant trust signals that increase the quality of inquiries you receive.
Photograph your property well
Listings with clear, well-lit photos get far more attention than listings with blurry or dark images. Good photography is the single highest-ROI thing you can do before listing.
Shoot during the day with natural light coming through the windows. Cover every room: sitting room, all bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and any external areas like a compound, parking space, or security post. Show both the best and the ordinary. Hiding problems in photos leads to wasted viewings and eroded trust when tenants arrive.
Aim for at least 6 photos per listing. Use your phone's landscape (horizontal) orientation. Clean and tidy the space before shooting and remove personal items and clutter. A well-photographed ₦200,000/year flat will outperform a poorly-photographed ₦150,000/year flat in inquiry volume every time.
Write a clear, honest description
Your listing description is a first conversation with your future tenant. Write it in plain, direct language. State exactly what the property is, what's included, and what isn't.
Always include: the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the type of property (flat, duplex, self-con, bungalow), available amenities (running water, borehole, prepaid meter, generator, parking, security, fence), what's not included (if there's no NEPA supply and tenants must use generators, say so), the payment terms (1 year upfront, 2 years, etc.), and any specific conditions (no pets, no children, etc.).
Honesty saves everyone time. A tenant who moves in and finds the property misrepresented becomes a problem tenant. The best tenants go to landlords who communicated clearly from the start.
Set a competitive, honest price
Price your property at the actual market rate for your area and property type. Overpriced listings attract few serious inquiries. Significantly underpriced listings attract many unqualified inquiries.
To find the right price, browse listings in your area on e-landlord and compare similar properties. Factor in your property's distinguishing features. A borehole in a water-scarce neighbourhood adds value; proximity to a market or university is worth a premium.
State your price as the annual rent (in Naira) and be clear about whether the caution fee is included or separate, and how many months' deposit you require. Transparency at this stage prevents the most common source of tenant-landlord friction.
Respond to inquiries promptly
When a tenant contacts you through e-landlord, they've already read your listing and are genuinely interested. Your response speed directly affects how many inquiries convert to viewings.
Aim to respond within 2 hours during business hours. If someone reaches out in the evening, respond first thing the next morning. A brief, friendly response that confirms availability and arranges a viewing time is all it takes. Don't send lengthy messages before you've met.
When a tenant arrives for a viewing, be present or send a trusted representative. Show every part of the property, including areas with issues. The viewing is your opportunity to assess the tenant as much as they assess the property.
Always use a written tenancy agreement
A tenancy agreement protects both you and your tenant. Never collect rent without one. The agreement should be drafted in writing, signed by both parties, and a copy given to the tenant.
A standard Nigerian tenancy agreement should include: names and addresses of both parties, address and description of the property, rent amount and payment schedule, duration of the tenancy, amount and conditions of the caution fee, conditions for renewal, maintenance responsibilities, conditions for termination by either party, and what happens at the end of the tenancy.
If you have multiple properties or collect significant annual rent, consider having a lawyer draft a standard agreement you can use repeatedly. The cost is modest and the protection is substantial. Under the Tenancy Law of Oyo State, landlords must give proper notice before recovering possession, and a valid agreement makes this process far smoother.
Build your reputation on the platform
Tenants can leave reviews on your landlord profile after they rent from you. Positive reviews are the most powerful thing on e-landlord. They reduce the need for tenants to hesitate or investigate, and they allow you to command a fair market price because trust is established upfront.
To earn good reviews: respond promptly to inquiries, be honest about your property, show up for viewings, honour your stated price and terms, fix maintenance issues promptly, communicate respectfully, and return caution fees promptly when tenants vacate in good standing.
Tenants are far more likely to get in touch with a landlord who has good reviews than with one who has none.
✓Good landlord practices
- ✓ Keep your listing updated and mark it as taken the moment it's rented
- ✓ Respond to all inquiries within 24 hours
- ✓ Be present for viewings or send someone who knows the property
- ✓ Return caution fees promptly when tenants vacate in good standing
- ✓ Provide a receipts for every payment you receive
- ✓ Maintain common areas and fix structural issues promptly
✕What to avoid
- ✕ Don't collect money before the tenant has inspected and signed
- ✕ Don't misrepresent the property's condition in photos or descriptions
- ✕ Don't ask for caution fees exceeding 1 month's rent
- ✕ Don't harass tenants over WhatsApp or phone
- ✕ Don't increase rent during an active tenancy without proper notice
- ✕ Don't ignore repair requests, because Oyo State tenancy law creates obligations
Ready to list your property?
Verification takes 1-3 business days. No agent, no commission.