Renting with a pet in Nigeria adds a step to the search. If you share your home with a dog, a cat or any other animal, you will notice it fast. Many Nigerian landlords simply write "no pets" on the listing, and some say it out loud before you finish speaking. Others are willing, if you ask the right way. This guide shows how.
Why landlords say no
Understanding the objection helps you answer it. Landlords worry about damage to floors, doors and gardens, noise, smell, complaints from neighbours and safety for visitors and staff. Some worry about a pet being left when the tenant moves out. None of these is unreasonable, and each has an answer.
Find the yes first
- Say it in your search. Tell Zedo "pet-friendly" with the rest of your description. See how to search for a home by describing it in plain words.
- Ask early and plainly. Before you spend time or money on a viewing, ask: "Do you allow pets? I have a medium-sized dog, vaccinated and trained."
- Look for the type of home that suits. A house with a compound or a ground-floor flat with space is easier than a high-rise flat.
- Ask residents. If other tenants have pets, the landlord is already used to them.
Make your case
Landlords decide on trust. Give them reasons to trust you:
- 1Describe the animal honestly: species, breed, size, age and temperament.
- 2Offer references from a previous landlord or a vet.
- 3Share proof of vaccination and health care.
- 4Explain how you will manage noise, waste and exercise.
- 5Offer something in return: an extra deposit, a clause covering damage or a trial period.
Put it in writing
A spoken yes does not last. In the tenancy agreement, include:
- permission for the named pet or type, and any limit on number or size;
- conditions, such as keeping the animal under control and cleaning up after it;
- any extra deposit or rent, with how and when the deposit is returned;
- responsibility for damage, and what counts as ordinary wear.
How to read a tenancy agreement before you sign it explains how to ask for changes, and how to get your caution deposit back explains how to protect any deposit you pay.
Be a good neighbour
Whether the arrangement lasts depends on the people around you more than the landlord. Keep the animal quiet and clean, do not let it roam, clean up after it, and tell neighbours that you will deal with any problem quickly. A single complaint can end a tolerant landlord's patience.
Before you move in
- Photograph the flat on move-in day, including floors, doors and walls, so ordinary wear is not blamed on your pet.
- Check the compound for hazards, such as open drains, gaps in the fence or a busy road.
- Find the nearest vet and pet supplies.
If the answer is no
Do not hide the animal. Breaking an agreement can cost you the tenancy and your deposit. Keep searching. The move-in cost calculator can help you budget for the extra deposit that some pet-friendly landlords ask for, and what it really costs to rent a flat in Lagos explains the full day-one bill.
A pet reference that works
Landlords worry about noise, damage, smell, safety and neighbours' complaints. A short, honest pet reference answers every one of them before they ask. Put it in one page.
About your pet
Species, breed, age, size, whether it is neutered or spayed, and its temperament.
Health
Dates of vaccinations, including rabies, and the name of your vet.
Training
What your pet knows, such as house training, crate or leash training and quiet behaviour.
Daily routine
Where it sleeps, how often you walk it and what happens when you are out.
References
A previous landlord or a neighbour who can say your pet was no trouble.
If you can add a clear photo of the pet, with a note on how it behaves around strangers and children, even better. This is the kind of detail that moves a landlord from "no" to "let me think".
Offer terms that reduce the risk
A landlord is more likely to say yes when you reduce what they stand to lose. You can offer:
- a pet deposit or an extra amount held against damage, agreed in writing;
- a professional clean at the end of the tenancy, including carpets and floors;
- a clause that you will repair damage caused by the pet at your cost;
- a trial period, for example the first three months, after which the arrangement continues if there are no complaints.
Do not offer more than you can afford. Make sure you understand what happens to the extra payment at the end, and put its refund terms in the agreement, as described in how to get your caution deposit back.
Which homes work best for pets
Some homes suit pets better than others, whatever the landlord says.
- Ground floor or a unit with its own entrance is easier for dogs that need regular walks.
- A compound with space gives a place to exercise a dog, though check whether other residents mind.
- Good ventilation and windows that open safely matter for cats and for hot weather.
- A secure gate and fence keep pets from wandering into the road.
Ask the neighbours how they feel about animals. A building where several residents already have pets is a better bet than one where nobody does.
Think about the neighbours and the law
Many tenancies include a clause on animals, and some estates have their own rules or a residents' association with a vote. Ask for both. Your landlord can only give you the permission they hold, so check that the estate rules do not prohibit pets. If you have a breed that has a reputation, a calm explanation of its temperament, with references, helps.
Respect the safety of others. Dogs should be on a lead in shared areas, waste should be cleared at once and noise should be managed. These habits keep your welcome and make the next pet owner's search easier.
Plan for your pet's move
Moving is stressful for a pet. Bring familiar bedding and toys, keep to the usual routine and do not leave the animal alone in a new place on the first day. Find a vet nearby before you need one. When you are ready to look, describe what you need on Zedo, for example "ground-floor flat in a compound where pets are allowed", and check the cost with the move-in cost calculator.
Sample message to a landlord
A short, specific message works better than a general request.
Good afternoon. I am interested in the flat on [street]. I have one small, vaccinated dog, three years old, house trained and quiet. I have a reference from my current landlord and a one-page note about the dog. I am happy to pay an extra deposit of ₦[amount] and to have professional cleaning when I leave. Would you consider allowing a pet, subject to a clause in the agreement?
The message answers the landlord's main worries in advance, and offers something in return.
Common landlord objections and answers
"Noise."
Share your dog's routine and training, and offer a trial period.
"Damage."
Offer a pet deposit and a clause covering repairs.
"Smell and hygiene."
Describe your cleaning routine and offer professional cleaning at the end.
"Other residents."
Offer a reference from neighbours, and agree to keep the animal on a lead in shared areas.
If the answer stays no
Move on early. Searching for pet-friendly homes from the start saves time. Describe your needs when you search, such as "ground-floor flat with a compound where pets are allowed", and look at the listing details. See how to search for property with AI.
