7 hidden move-in costs nobody warns you about

You've calculated your rent. You've saved for the caution deposit. You've budgeted for the service charge. You think you're ready. Then move-in week arrives and ₦200,000 evaporates on things you never heard about — stamp duty, PHCN meter change-of-name, estate development levy, internet setup, deep cleaning. First-time Nigerian renters regularly blow through their moving-in fund on these invisible line items and find themselves dipping into emergency savings by month two.

This post catalogues the seven most commonly missed move-in costs. The total is typically ₦150,000-₦400,000 on top of everything you've already planned for. Budget accordingly.

For the full cost breakdown including the obvious items see the pillar the true cost of renting a home in Nigeria.

1. Stamp duty on the tenancy agreement

Cost: 0.78% of annual rent in Lagos State, similar in most other states. On a ₦1.8M lease: ₦14,040.

What it pays for: A state tax on written tenancy agreements, paid to the state internal revenue service (LIRS in Lagos, IRS in other states). In exchange, you get a stamped document with a unique reference number.

Why it matters: A stamped agreement is enforceable against third parties (including future buyers of the property, and in legal disputes). An unstamped agreement is technically valid between the parties but weaker in court.

What usually happens: Many landlords and tenants skip stamping to save the ₦14k. Most Nigerian tenancy agreements are therefore unstamped. This is a hidden risk — when disputes arise, the unstamped document is challengeable.

What to do: Pay the stamp duty, even if the landlord says "we don't bother." It's trivial insurance. See tenancy agreement in Nigeria: clauses to watch for and double-allocation scam for why stamping specifically protects you.

2. PHCN change-of-name

Cost: ₦5,000-₦15,000 at most DisCos (Ikeja Electric, EKEDC, AEDC, IBEDC, EEDC, etc.), depending on meter type and administrative delays.

What it pays for: Transfer of the electricity meter registration from the previous occupant to your name. The DisCo updates their records; future bills come to you.

Why it matters: If you don't do this, the previous occupant's debts technically remain tied to the meter. When they're chased, you can be caught up. Also, your prepaid-meter top-ups on another person's name don't build your payment history.

Process: Visit your local DisCo office (Ikeja Electric at Akilo Road, Ogba, for Ikeja zone; EKEDC at Ijora for Victoria Island and Lekki zones). Bring: tenancy agreement (signed, stamped if possible), NIN, passport photos, meter number from the existing meter, your contact details. Takes 1-7 working days.