What to expect when leasing a new apartment.
A lot of times, people who are looking for an apartment to lease want a new house. There is that feeling like a new house comes with special powers and privileges while already used ones do not have anything good in them. An already existing building that has been lived in by a tenant feels like a 'tokunbo' car that doesn't have good value.
However, the challenges that come with a new house is not planned for by the intending first occupant who is ready to pay something extra because it's 'new' without being aware that other things may come with it.
There are however a couple of things that may come along the way with that new apartment you want to pay for that you know about. Here are a few things to expect when you are getting a new apartment.
1. Nothing is tested: the building is not tested with the stress of people living in it and the passing of seasons. The test it has gone through is a functional one which is not the same as living in it. The taps may start dripping after a few weeks, a section of the apartment may suddenly stop having power, your roof may be leaking after the first 'real' rain, the heat in your best room may be unbearable because of the material used for the ceiling. All the fittings that glittered to make you pay extra may end up not being the gold you expected because they are substandard materials. The hinges of your main door may drop off on a Monday morning, your over head water tank suddenly becomes empty because the water is leaking away from a WC you can't identify and the list could be endless and it is because the apartment is not tested.
2. Landlord may be a 'psycho': people always believe that all landlords are erratic and unreasonable. It will imply that you will soon be erratic and unreasonable too when you become one. While I do not totally agree with that school of thought, I will like to point out that some landlords may become 'psycho'. This is not their true personality but the economic situation has dealt a blow on him after spending so much to build his first or best house. He suddenly becomes touchy about how the gate is closed or how the water finishes on time or how the environment is bushy etc. This is not peculiar to only resident landlords. Trust me, this is not a trait you easily detect when you do your personal investigation about the owner of the property. He only became a 'psycho' because he's spent all his money on the 'new building' you are desperate for.
3. Property may have disputes not readily seen: disputes over a property may spring up from any where- A brother, a friend, family member, financier or money lender, 'Omo onile' etc. This could lead to a huge emotional unrest especially when it has degenerated to vandalization of the property or start seeing different faces you don't trust.
4. Issues with public service providers: a new building will attract publics service providers and this may lead to different situations you are not ready to deal it. The situation may vary from over billing or multiple billing(where more than one official does the assessment), PSP comes with a bureaucracy of asking you to appear at their office before they can offer their services to you. The 'power holders' may come with a threat of illegal connection that may lead to disconnection. Local security may have representatives visit countlessly to ask for their fees.
While you might be all over that new apartment, keep in mind that there is something unpleasant that may show up at a time you least expect.
