Every agent says the compound is secure. Security checks turn that claim into something you can see. They take about an hour and cost nothing. Do them in daylight and after dark, and write down what you find.
The physical checks
Gate and fence
Does the gate close and lock? Is the fence intact and high enough?
Lighting
Are the street and compound lit at night? Dark corners are a risk.
Doors and windows
Solid doors, working locks, window grilles where needed.
Entry points
How many ways in? Can anyone walk in unobserved?
Staff
Is there a gatekeeper or guard? Are visitors recorded?
Neighbours
Are they present, visible and attentive to the compound?
The visits
Visit at three times if you can: a weekday morning, the evening rush and after dark. Notice who is around, how busy the street is, how the guard behaves and how the gate is handled when you arrive. A guard who lets you in without a question is telling you something.
The questions
- Have there been break-ins or thefts here, and how did the landlord respond?
- Who has keys, and were the locks ever changed after the previous tenant left?
- Is there a guard rota? Who pays for it? See service charge in Nigeria.
- What is the plan if something happens at night, and who do you call?
- How do neighbours look out for each other?
Ask residents, not only the agent. A neighbour will usually tell you the truth about the last incident.
Your own flat
- Locks. Ask whether you can change them, or at least how many keys exist. Count the keys you receive.
- Doors and grilles. Check hinges and frames, not only the lock.
- Valuables. Ask about insurance, and about where deliveries are left.
- Power. A building with steady lighting and working security systems is easier to secure. See power supply before you rent.
What to put in writing
Write into the agreement who provides and pays for security in shared areas, whether you may change locks, and what happens if the landlord's security fails to work. See how to read a tenancy agreement before you sign it.
Trust, but verify the person too
Security is also about who you deal with. Many rental frauds start with a good flat and a request for a deposit. Read how to spot a fake property agent in Nigeria before you pay.
A worked example: two compounds, same rent
Compound A has a high fence, a staffed gate that logs visitors, working security lights and a residents' group that meets monthly. Compound B has a low wall, a gate that is left open in the day, one dim light and no visitor log. The rent is the same.
Most tenants would not notice the difference at a daytime viewing with a friendly agent. After dark, in the rain, with a parcel at the gate or a stranger at the fence, it is the difference between a home you relax in and one you worry about. The checks above make it visible before you pay.
What a security upgrade costs, and who pays
Some tenants improve security themselves: a stronger lock, a door chain, window grilles, an alarm. Ask before you spend. Your agreement may restrict changes, and some landlords will share the cost or do the work. If you pay, get permission in writing and ask what happens to the fitting when you leave.
If something does happen
Report it at once to the landlord or manager and to the police, in writing, and keep copies. Photograph any damage. Ask your landlord what they will do about it, and note their answer. If you have contents insurance, tell your insurer. A building that responds quickly and fairly after an incident is worth more than one that has never had one.
Score it
Give each flat a score from 1 to 5 on gate, lighting, staff, neighbours and your own locks, and compare. It stops a well-presented flat from beating a safer one. Our five tests for choosing a neighbourhood use the same approach.
A night-time viewing checklist
Security looks different after dark. If you can, return in the evening, and take a friend. Look at the following.
- Lighting on the road, at the gate and in the corridors. Dark stretches are where problems begin.
- The gate: is it staffed, locked and well lit, and does the guard ask who you are?
- Who is around: are there people on the street or is it empty?
- Noise and activity: is there a loud venue, a drinking spot or a busy junction nearby?
- The way home: walk from the main road to the building as you would every day.
If it feels uneasy in the evening, trust that feeling. The agent saw it in daylight, and you will live there at night.
Ask the guard, politely
The security guard knows who comes and goes. Introduce yourself, say you are considering a flat and ask how the compound works: shift times, a visitors book, whether packages are signed for. A guard who is attentive and polite is a good sign. One who is absent or asleep is another sort of answer.
Technology can help, but it does not replace habits
Many compounds now have cameras, intercoms or smart locks. These help only when they work and someone watches them. Ask:
- Do the cameras record, and for how long?
- Who can view the footage, and how does a resident request it?
- Is the intercom connected to your door or a central desk?
- Are the locks on your flat modern, and who holds spare keys?
If you are not sure, ask to see the system working. Install a good lock on your own door and change the keys on move-in day.
Fire and safety, not only theft
Security also means safety from fire and accidents. Look for a fire extinguisher, a clear exit and a gas cylinder stored outside or in a ventilated place. Check that the wiring looks tidy and the board has no exposed wires. In a block, ask where the stairs lead and whether the gate is ever locked in a way that traps residents.
Insurance and your belongings
Ask whether the landlord has insurance for the building, and whether your own belongings are covered. In most cases, tenants must arrange their own cover, if they want it. Even without insurance, keep a list of your valuables and their serial numbers, and photograph them.
Add it to your scorecard
Security should be one of the five tests on your list: commute, flooding, power, security and noise. Our guide to choosing a neighbourhood explains how to score each area. After you have scored your options, the 12 questions to ask before you pay rent will help you confirm what the landlord has promised.
