The last consultation we had at RentHouseSurulere came from a client who has spent the last six months trying to get an apartment in Surulere environs.
According to her, the agents she’s worked with have been so stylishly mean and they make it look like they are helping you but they’re just trying to get as much as they can from you.
We’ve realized this is the reality of many other people looking to rent houses across Surulere.
In this article, you will find 10 critical things you should think about before going with whatever house agent you’ve been recommended to.
But it’s important you first know how house agents work. What is their job supposed to look like rightly?
Key Takeaways
- Real Estate agents are people who help in the process of buying or selling a home or property
- You can find one online, by referral or advertisements.
- Before going with any real estate agent, ensure they are familiar with the rental market of Surulere, have good communication skills, and upfront with their fees among other factors.
- Contact RentHouseSurulere to find affordable apartment for rent in Surulere
Sometimes, patience is key. We’ve noticed that those who lose time, money, and effort with agents are often the ones who appear too desperate.
That’s why it’s important to understand how house agents operate. What exactly is their role supposed to be?
How Do Rental Agents Operate?
Real estate agents are people who assist in buying or renting homes and properties.
Ideally, all real estate agents should be registered with the Nigerian Institution for Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV).
However, in Lagos, the industry is mostly unregulated. This means that anyone who knows about a vacant house and its owner can step in as an agent and earn a commission.
These agents usually charge an agency fee to connect you with available properties that match your needs.
Some may also request an inspection fee, which covers their transport as they take you to see the property in person.
However, some dishonest agents take advantage of clients by showing them poorly maintained apartments they know won’t be acceptable, just to collect inspection fees.
They may even refer you to another agent, forcing you to pay more fees.
To avoid falling into such traps, here are key things to consider before choosing an agent.
What To Consider Before Going With a Rental Agent
We’ve heard many stories, including ones that involve agents that start adding to the extra charges; agency, commission and caution fee.
Avoid all these headaches by prioritizing the following:
1. Are they “Really” Familiar with the Rental Market in Surulere?
This one is non-negotiable. The agent has to be familiar with the Surulere rental market.
During your first call with the agent, you can tell if they have local knowledge or not.
Information like typical rent prices, low and high rental options in different Surulere neighbourhoods, and property types should be something they can educate you on.
This also applies if it’s buying properties in Surulere.
Once you notice that the agent has to always “get back to you” before sharing this info with you, then there’s probably something fishy. He or she isn’t solid.
2. What’s the Agent Track Record?
Before you commit to an agent, do a little background check. Have they helped people find good rental apartments before? Do they have a solid reputation?
If they’re on Facebook, take a look at their reviews and what past clients are saying about them.
It’s even better if someone you trust recommended them—that way, you already know they’re reliable and professional.
3. What Services Will They Offer You as an Agent?
Right from the start, make sure you and the agent are clear on what they’re actually offering.
Some agents might seem professional, but all they do is show you the apartment.
A good agent should go beyond that—helping with tenancy agreements, handling repairs, and even screening tenants.
4. How Good is Their Communication?
When it comes to renting a place, good communication is key.
You don’t want to deal with an agent who’s always hard to reach. Imagine setting up a meeting, getting to their “office,” and then calling them endlessly with no response—frustrating, right?
Pay attention to how quickly they reply from the start.
If they’re responsive early on, chances are they’ll communicate well throughout the whole rental process.
5. They must Conduct Inspection
Right from your first chat with the agent, ask if they do property inspections.
A good agent should even have videos showing the property’s condition and features.
This saves you the stress of running around just to check out houses in Surulere.
6. Test their Legal knowledge
A big mistake many people make with house agents is skipping the legal side of things.
Make sure the agent knows Nigerian tenancy laws and isn’t just winging it.
At the very least, they should be able to draft proper tenancy agreements.
Even the basic forms they give you to fill out can reveal if they actually understand the legal side of their job.
7. What is their Fee?
Before working with an agent, make sure you understand their fees.
Do they charge upfront? If they take a commission from your rent, how much? Any hidden costs?
Typically, the agency fee is a fixed amount that covers their transport and effort in finding you a place.
For example, if you’re renting a house that costs N700,000 per annum, the agent can charge registration fee of N5,000, Inspection fee of N5,000 and then commission and agreement (which is the service charges) of 30,000.
In total, you’d be looking at anywhere between N840,000 – N1,150,000 for the apartment for the first year.
8. What About their Online Presence?
See if the agent has a solid online presence with up-to-date property listings.
It’s way easier when you can just scroll through their Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook and watch video reviews of available houses.
That way, all you need to do is send a quick DM to check if it’s still up for grabs.
9. Availability of property options at their Beck and Call
A good rental agent won’t waste your time – they should have property options ready to go. Whether it is two bedroom or three bedroom apartments in Surulere, they will have these options.
This makes it easier for you to explore different rentals in Surulere that match your budget and needs without any stress.
10. Confirm if they are Agents For Other Agents
Make sure you’re dealing with a real agent, not a middleman for another agent.
Some people aren’t actual house agents – they just know one and take a cut for linking you up. This setup can be frustrating and might even cost you more.
To avoid the stress, double-check that you’re speaking directly with the main agent.
What is the Best Agent for House Rent in Surulere, Lagos in 2025?
Surulere has its fair share of shady agents and deals.
Also, Not every property in Surulere is listed online. Many landlords in Surulere rely on word-of-mouth to find tenants. That’s where we come in.
At RentHouseSurulere, we’re plugged into the community and know how to find those hidden gems.
Once you contact us on WhatsApp, with your specs and preference, you’ll be surprised at how fast we provide you with video, pictures, and price options based on your request – because we have them ready to go.
Before anything, we would even give you personalized recommendations based on various neighborhoods in Surulere because we know this city like the back of our hand.
