Rent Affordability Checker
Fill in your details to get your full report
How This Tool Works
Choose Your City & Room Type
Select from Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano or Enugu and your apartment type.
Enter Your Monthly Income
Use take-home pay after all deductions — not gross salary. Be realistic about your actual position.
Add Lifestyle Factors
Car, dependants, school fees, and loan repayments all reduce what you can safely spend on rent.
Get Your Full Report
See your max safe rent, budget breakdown, deposit timeline and matching 2026 neighbourhoods.
🏙️ Nigerian Rent Realities — 2026
Agency fees alone can cost 10–15% of annual rent on top of the rent itself in Lagos — factor this into your total deposit target. This is separate from the legal fee (5–10%).
Most Lagos and Abuja landlords demand 1–2 years upfront. The advertised monthly figure is misleading — your actual deposit is often 2–3× the monthly rent × 12.
The 30% rule doesn’t work in Nigeria. Nigerian financial experts recommend keeping rent below 25% of take-home given high food costs, generator fuel, transport, and airtime expenses.
Service charge is hidden rent. Lagos estates charge ₦5,000–₦60,000/month extra for generator, water, and security. Always confirm the total monthly cost before paying any deposit.
📊 Monthly Budget Breakdown
💰 Deposit Savings Timeline
How long to save enough to move into your target apartment
📍 Neighbourhood Match
Areas ranked by affordability for your budget
🔢 Income Scenarios
How much rent you can safely afford at different income levels
Always negotiate — landlords expect it
Advertised rent in Nigeria is almost always a starting point. Offer 10–15% less and commit to 1 year upfront cash. Most landlords accept rather than risk months of vacancy.
Get every cost in writing before you pay anything
Agency fee, legal fee, caution fee, service charge, and key money are all real costs in Lagos and Abuja. Never pay without a written receipt and a signed tenancy agreement with all fees itemised.
The 25% rule for Nigerian incomes
Western finance says 30% of income on rent is safe. In Nigeria, with high food costs (30%+), transport, generator fuel, airtime, and data, keeping rent under 25% of take-home preserves meaningful savings capacity.
Always confirm service charge before signing
Service charge in Lagos estates has risen 30–60% since 2024 as generator fuel costs increased. A ₦120,000/month apartment may effectively cost ₦155,000 once service charge is included. Confirm in writing before paying any deposit.
Verify property ownership before paying
Ask for a C of O or deed of assignment before paying any deposit. Demolitions, FCT revocations, and family land disputes are real risks — especially in Lagos and Abuja. A ₦5,000 lawyer consultation can protect a ₦500,000 deposit.
