Special Features

Lagos House Agents are ‘Hired Assassins’ PT II

Published

3 weeks ago

Apr 27, 2025.

Having fallen prey to a Lagos house agent’s deceptive tactics, I learned the hard way about the rampant dishonesty that plagues the local real estate scene.

I initially thought everything was in order until the first shocking revelation hit: the house I rented did not have a legitimate electricity connection but instead relied on an illegal daily hookup.

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The agent cunningly showed me the property on a weekend when the absence of PHCN officials made it impossible to detect this issue.

Adding insult to injury, their promise of a prepaid meter installation within two weeks turned out to be nothing but a bald-faced lie.

The final blow came when, just three months into my tenancy, a stranger arrived claiming new ownership of the house. I was utterly bewildered – how could the property have changed hands so quickly after I had moved in?

Confronting the house agent, I discovered that they were well aware of the situation and brushed it off with the flimsy excuse that the previous owner had been merely contemplating a sale at the time I rented the place.

Lagos House Agents are 'Hired Assassins' PT II

My anger was palpable as I confronted this unjust situation, but I was fortunate to have the support of a lawyer friend who advocated on my behalf.

Determined to complete my rental term before moving out, I found myself at odds with the new owner’s plans for renovation.

Seeking a resolution, I engaged the new owner’s lawyer and explained the troubling circumstances I had endured.

Fortunately, he showed understanding and empathy, swiftly drafting an agreement that ensured I would be reimbursed for all expenses, including rent and commission, with an additional month to find a new place to live.

However, my struggles were far from over, as the hunt for a new home led to a series of disappointing experiences that rivaled my previous ordeal.

I was introduced to a man simply known as Pastor. With confidence, he assessed my appearance and assured me that he knew the kind of house I would appreciate. Surprisingly, his first suggestion was indeed an ideal fit.

However, the landlord struggled to understand the nature of my remote work, causing concerns that I might be spending too much time alone with his newlywed son while his husband was away – an issue that remained unresolved due to suspicions of potential infidelity.

Once that opportunity fell through, Pastor’s demeanor shifted, and he began to exhibit the same manipulative behavior I had experienced with previous agents.

The quality of his recommendations declined drastically, as he showed me a property that could only be described as a beer parlor, complete with a mini flat that lacked a toilet.

Baffled by the stark contrast between his initial understanding of my needs and the unsuitable options he later presented, I was left questioning Pastor’s intentions and taste in properties.

Lagos House Agents are 'Hired Assassins' PT II

Due to constraints of time and space, I have focused on the negative experiences with these agents, though I will later delve into the difficulties encountered with landlords.

It became apparent that a significant number of Lagos house agents resided in substandard accommodations themselves, which perhaps contributed to their poor judgment in identifying suitable properties for clients.

Many seemed to have entered the profession merely as a supplementary income source, resulting in the prevalence of unprofessionalism and overshadowing the work of genuinely dedicated agents.