Late rent and arrears in Nigeria: a step-by-step plan for landlords
Most unpaid rent is recovered without going near a court, as long as you act early, stay calm and keep everything in writing. This guide sets out a sequence that protects your income and your legal position.
Not legal advice. If arrears are large or the tenant stops responding, speak to a lawyer before taking the formal steps below.
1. Make the due date impossible to miss
Prevention is cheaper than recovery. State the due date and payment account in the tenancy agreement, send a reminder or invoice a few weeks before, and issue a receipt the day payment arrives. Tenants who get clear invoices pay on time more often.
2. Day one to day seven: a friendly reminder
If rent has not arrived, contact the tenant the same week. Many late payments are oversights or short delays. Ask when they expect to pay, and confirm the answer by text or email so you have a record.
3. Week two to four: agree a plan
If the tenant is struggling, a realistic payment plan usually recovers more than a dispute. Agree in writing:
- the total amount owed;
- each instalment amount and date;
- what happens if an instalment is missed.
Issue a receipt for each instalment that shows the balance still owed. Accepting part-payment does not waive the rest, but say so in the plan to avoid argument.
4. After a month: a formal demand
If there is no payment and no plan, send a written demand for the arrears. State the amount, the period it covers, a deadline (for example, 14 days), and that you will take legal steps if it is not paid. A lawyer’s letter often prompts payment because it shows you are serious.
5. Decide: recover the money, the property, or both
| Goal | Usual route |
|---|---|
| Recover arrears, keep the tenant | Payment plan, then a claim for the debt if it fails |
| Recover the property | Notice to quit (if needed), seven-day notice of intention to recover possession, then a court claim for possession |
| Both | Claim possession and arrears together; the court can also award mesne profits for any period the tenant stays on after the tenancy ends |
Mediation, for example at the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse or the Citizens’ Mediation Centre, can settle a dispute faster and more cheaply than a full court case. Our notice to quit guide explains the possession notices.
What never to do
- Lock the tenant out, remove doors or the roof, or take their belongings.
- Cut off water or electricity to force payment.
- Use thugs, “area boys” or threats.
These are unlawful even when rent is owed. They can expose you to criminal charges and a damages claim that wipes out the arrears.
Keep a clean record
From the first missed payment, keep a simple log: dates, amounts paid, every message and letter, and proof of delivery. If the matter reaches court, this record is your case.
Catch problems before they start
Landlord Reminder keeps each tenancy’s renewal date in front of you and flags it when it passes, so a missed renewal payment never goes unnoticed for months.