9 House hunting tips in Abuja

One of the most challenging tasks newcomers face when relocating to Abuja is finding the right accommodation. It’s difficult because of the fact that demand for housing clearly outweighs the supply. With patience, however, and with the right budget, one will eventually find a place suitable for residence. To guide those who are trying to find accommodation in Abuja for the first time, a book Around and About Abuja has compiled a list of house-hunting tips you might find useful:

1. Be sure that crime prevention measures (grills/iron rods, security doors, locks, walls, gates) do not prevent an easy and quick escape for your family in case of fire.
2. If noise is an issue, avoid houses near heavy traffic flows, but for security reasons, do not select a house that is too isolated.
3. Keep in mind that Abuja is situated between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer, so all parts of the house will receive strong sunshine at some point during the day. Therefore. Facilities for cooling (fans, air conditioners) are important. Fans are good even if there’s air conditioning as power can often be too low to run the air conditioning.
4. Make sure the doors and windows close without a gap, otherwise rain will enter during the rainy season and dust during the dry season.
5. Check the wood and the lawn for termite infestation. Certain parts of Abuja have terrible termite problems. Take a close look at the doors and closets.
6. Test the water in each room to make sure that hot water heaters are working and the water is indeed flowing. Some houses are not hooked up to the city water source and have their water delivered. Be sure to ask the landlord and the neighbors about the reliability of the source. Even houses that have supposedly have reliable city water should have an underground, ground-level, tower or rooftop water storage tank to ensure water storage and constant water flow.
7. If an apartment is preferred, ask the neighbors about the condition of the apartment and the reliability of the landlord. Also make sure that there is enough rooms for anydomestic workers.
8. Make sure the previous tenant of the house did not leave any unpaid bills as you may be held responsible for phone, electricity, water, etc. Ask for the payment receipts in order to prove past payment. It is also a good idea to save the old payments slips to prove payment and to pass them on to the next tenant.
9. Ask about the presence and the functioning of a generator. Make sure it is clear who is responsible for the purchase, maintenance and functioning of the generatorand fuel. ● (Source: Around and About Abuja by Francine Rodd, Jewel Kidd, Willie Cohen, and Taniko Noda)

OTHER HOUSE HUNTING TIPS FROM INSIDE TRACK –
Dealing with landlords and agents

Don't pay in cash if possible. To keep a record of all payments made, it is best to pay with a bank draft or a cheque. If the landlord/agent insists on getting paid with cash, do so in the presence of a witness.

Deal only with known agents. Receipts and letterheads are not proof of genuine business. Find time to verify addresses as there are those that don’t actually exist.

Check the agreement before making payment. Ask for a copy of the agreement either from the landlord or the agent. This will give you an idea on your responsibilities as well as the landlord’s. If you intend to make repairs or renovations, be sure there is a provision for it in the agreement.

Hold on to your money until all is clear and understood. Some landlords and agents often make verbal promises about doing repairs or renovations, but forget such promises after they have received your payment. If possible, let everything be in paper.