For three years, tenants of a residential property had been paying ₦1.3 million annually in rent to the caretaker, believing it was the agreed rate.
However, a recent visit from the landlord—unaware of the caretaker’s dealings—revealed that he had only instructed the caretaker to collect ₦500,000 from each tenant.
Shocked by the discovery, the landlord promised to rectify the situation, assuring tenants that future rent would be adjusted accordingly.
One tenant, having overpaid ₦800,000 annually for three years (a total of ₦2.4 million), is now considering legal action against the caretaker for fraud and recovery of funds.
The case highlights issues of accountability in property management and the vulnerability of tenants in such arrangements.
According to a Facebook post from People's Parliament Page, it stated thus:
I and other tenants have been paying 1.3M as R£nt for the past three years to the caretaker of our house.
The landlord visited us recently without the idea of the caretaker and we decide to plead with to reduce the house rent to 1M.
Atanda, you won't believe that the landlord was sh0cked to hear that we are paying 1.3M
He claim what the caretaker send to him is 500k each and that is what he told him to collect from us.
Well, he said we shouldn't worry that he will handle the situation and our next rent will be 500k
Atanda, what i want to know now is that
Can i take up a case of Fr(a)ud up with the caretaker so that he will R£fund me my balance of 800k for 3 years, which is 2.4M.
This is a clear case of exploitation and breach of trust. The caretaker not only abused his position but also manipulated multiple tenants for personal gain, pocketing a significant sum over three years. It’s deeply concerning, especially considering the economic pressures many face—every naira counts.
You absolutely have grounds to take legal action. This falls under fraud and misrepresentation. The caretaker collected far more than he was instructed to and deliberately misled tenants. Gathering proof—like receipts, chat records, and witness statements from other tenants—will strengthen your case.
Also, kudos to the landlord for stepping in and being transparent. Many might have tried to cover it up or defend the caretaker. It’s a rare show of accountability.
This incident sheds light on a broader issue: the lack of oversight in property management across many areas. More landlords need to stay actively involved to avoid these abuses.
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