Your kitchen sink is broken. The toilet is leaking. The ceiling is developing a hole. You have called your landlord. He has not responded. You have sent messages. He has ignored them. You are frustrated. You want to fix the repairs yourself and deduct the cost from your rent. Can you do this? Is it legal? How do you do it without getting evicted?This is a common problem for tenants in Nigeria. Landlords often neglect their properties. They expect tenants to pay rent on time but do not maintain the house. Tenants are left to suffer with broken facilities. But the law allows you to deduct repair costs from your rent under certain conditions.
Under the Lagos Tenancy Law, if a landlord fails to carry out necessary repairs after being notified, a tenant can carry out the repairs and deduct the cost from the rent. This is known as repair and deduct. It is a legal remedy for tenants whose landlords have abandoned their maintenance obligations.
However, you must follow a specific process to do this legally. The first step is to notify your landlord in writing. Send a formal letter or email describing the repairs that need to be done. Give the landlord a reasonable timeframe to complete the repairs. Reasonable timeframe is usually 14 to 30 days. Keep a copy of this notification as evidence.
The second step is to wait for the landlord to respond. If the landlord responds and fixes the problem, good. If the landlord does not respond or refuses to do the repairs, you can proceed with the third step.
The third step is to get quotes from qualified repairmen. Get at least three quotes for the repair work. Choose the most reasonable quote. Do not choose the most expensive. The cost must be reasonable and comparable to market rates.
The fourth step is to carry out the repairs. Hire the repairman. Get a receipt for the work done. Make sure the receipt describes the repair and states the cost.
The fifth step is to deduct the cost from your rent. When you pay your next rent, attach the repair receipt and a written explanation of the deduction. Explain that you carried out the repairs because the landlord failed to do so after proper notification.
What should you be careful about? The deduction must be reasonable. If the cost is extremely high, the landlord may challenge it. You should also keep all documents. You need proof of notification, proof of repair, and proof of cost. Without these documents, the landlord may claim you are stealing rent.
What should you avoid? Avoid deducting repair costs without notifying your landlord first. This can be seen as a violation of your tenancy agreement. Avoid doing repairs that are not necessary. Avoid choosing expensive repairmen. Avoid deducting money for cosmetic improvements that were not part of the landlord's obligation.
In conclusion, you have the right to deduct repair costs from your rent if your landlord fails to maintain the property. But you must follow the correct process. Notify the landlord in writing. Wait for a reasonable time. Get quotes. Carry out the repairs. Deduct the cost and provide evidence. This will protect you from eviction.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I deduct the cost of any repair from my rent?
A: No. Only repairs that are the landlord's responsibility, like plumbing, roof leaks, and structural issues.
Q: What if the landlord tries to evict me for deducting repair costs?
A: If you followed the process correctly, the landlord's eviction attempt is illegal. You can take them to the Tenancy Tribunal.
Q: Can I deduct the cost of a new refrigerator if the old one breaks?
A: No. The refrigerator is usually the tenant's property. The landlord is not responsible for replacing it.
Published: July 30, 2026