Safety Tips

DirectLandlords was built specifically to eliminate viewing fees and agent fees. No legitimate landlord on our platform will ask you to pay anything before you have physically seen the property. If anyone requests a viewing fee, reservation deposit, or any form of payment before a viewing — walk away immediately and report it to us. You should never part with money for a property you have not seen with your own eyes.

Be cautious if you notice any of the following warning signs: the price is significantly lower than similar properties in the same area; the landlord refuses to arrange a physical viewing or keeps making excuses; you are asked to move the conversation away from the DirectLandlords platform to personal phone numbers or WhatsApp very quickly; the landlord claims to be travelling abroad and asks you to pay before they can show you the property; the location is vague with no specific street, estate, or landmark mentioned; or the photos look overly professional, generic, or appear to be taken from a hotel or showroom.

Look out for the green "Verified Owner's Property" badge on listings. This badge means our team has physically visited the property and confirmed that the person who posted the listing is the actual property owner — not an agent, sub-tenant, or impersonator. While we encourage you to exercise caution with all listings, verified listings have been checked by the DirectLandlords team and offer an additional layer of trust.

Use the DirectLandlords in-app messaging system for all communication with landlords before you have viewed the property and agreed terms. Keeping your conversation on the platform means there is a record of everything that was said and agreed. Scammers often try to move communication to personal channels quickly so there is no record of their promises or requests. Once you have viewed the property in person and are comfortable, you can exchange contact details.

Do not share your BVN, NIN, bank account numbers, ATM card details, or any other sensitive personal or financial information through the DirectLandlords messaging system or with any tenant before a formal tenancy agreement is in place. Legitimate tenants will never need this information to book a viewing or express interest in your property.

A genuine tenant will always want to see a property before committing to paying rent. Be suspicious of anyone who insists on paying rent or a deposit immediately without arranging a physical viewing first. This is a common pattern used by fraudsters who may be attempting to claim your property or extract money through fake transaction confirmations.

If a tenant is pressuring you, making unusual requests, asking for personal information, or anything feels off — trust your instincts and contact the DirectLandlords support team immediately. We take all reports seriously and will investigate promptly. Do not feel obligated to continue any interaction that makes you uncomfortable.