Frequently Asked Questions

SpareRoom Nigeria is a trusted online marketplace for finding and listing spare rooms in Lagos. We connect hosts who have rooms available with tenants looking for affordable, verified accommodation. All users are identity-verified, payments are escrow-protected via Paystack, and agreements are handled through legally-compliant room license documents.

Yes. SpareRoom Nigeria operates fully within Nigerian law. We use a room license model (not a traditional tenancy agreement), which is a recognized legal arrangement. Our room license agreements clearly outline the terms for both parties and comply with Lagos State guidelines.

We currently cover major areas across Lagos including Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Ikeja, Yaba, Surulere, Ajah, Gbagada, Maryland, Ogba, and more. We are continuously expanding to cover more neighbourhoods.

Browsing rooms and creating an account is completely free. Tenants pay a 10% service fee on top of rent when booking — the same way you would pay an agreement/legal fee in a traditional Lagos rental. Hosts receive 100% of their listed rent price. There are no subscription fees or listing fees.

Unlike traditional rental platforms or agents, SpareRoom Nigeria verifies every user with BVN and government ID, protects all payments with Paystack escrow, provides auto-generated legal agreements, and offers built-in dispute resolution. We focus specifically on room-level rentals with flexible monthly licensing.

After creating your account, browse available rooms using our search filters. You can filter by area, budget, gender preference, and amenities. Every listing on our platform has been reviewed and approved by our moderation team.

When you find a room you want, you book it and pay through our platform via Paystack. You pay the rent plus a 10% service fee and, for monthly listings, a Last Month Rent (Reserve). The reserve is held in escrow and only released to the host after you move in or through our dispute resolution process if there is an issue.

For monthly listings, your Last Month Rent (Reserve) is held securely by the platform (not the host) through our escrow system. It is released to the host once you confirm move-in. If there is a dispute, the reserve is held until the issue is resolved by our moderation team. Yearly listings do not require a reserve since you pay the full year upfront.

Yes. Once you are verified, you can message hosts directly through the platform to ask questions, request additional photos, or arrange a viewing before committing to a booking.

If you arrive and the room does not match the listing description, you can raise a dispute through the platform. Our moderation team will review the evidence and can issue a full refund from the escrowed deposit if the complaint is valid.

After creating your account and completing full identity verification (BVN + Government ID), apply for host status. Once approved, you can create listings with photos, descriptions, pricing, and preferences. Each listing is reviewed by our team before going live.

Payments are processed through Paystack split payments. 100% of your rent goes directly to your registered bank account. The 10% service fee is charged to the tenant separately — it is not deducted from your rent. Payments are typically settled within 24 hours of the transaction.

Tenants pay a 10% service fee on top of the rent — this replaces the traditional agreement/legal fee you would normally pay through an agent. It covers identity verification, escrow services, payment processing, dispute resolution, and platform support. Hosts receive 100% of their listed rent price.

Agents earn 10% from tenants — the same commission structure you already know from traditional Lagos rentals. When a listing is managed by an agent, the tenant pays the agent fee (10%) on top of rent alongside the service fee. Agents receive their fee directly via Paystack.

Yes. Some listings offer yearly payment options alongside monthly. Yearly listings let you pay the full year upfront — no deposit needed since you are paying in full. Monthly listings include a Last Month Rent (Reserve) as security. The choice depends on what the host/agent offers.

Yes. You have full control over your rent price and deposit amount. We recommend researching similar rooms in your area to set a competitive price. There are no minimum or maximum price requirements.

You can raise a dispute through the platform at any time during an active booking. Our moderation team will review the evidence from both parties and make a fair decision. Since we use monthly room licenses (not tenancy agreements), termination is straightforward if terms are violated.

Absolutely. All payments are processed through Paystack, Nigeria's leading payment processor, which is PCI-DSS compliant. Your card details are never stored on our servers. Additionally, deposits are held in escrow and only released under the conditions outlined in your room license agreement.

Escrow is a payment protection mechanism where a neutral third party (our platform) holds funds until certain conditions are met. When you pay for a room, your deposit is held by the platform — not given directly to the host. It is only released once you confirm move-in or through dispute resolution.

Paystack is Nigeria's most trusted payment processor, used by companies like MTN, Domino's, and thousands of businesses. When you make a payment on SpareRoom Nigeria, you are redirected to Paystack's secure payment page. We use Paystack's split payment feature to automatically distribute funds between hosts and the platform.

Refunds are handled through our dispute resolution system. If you have a valid reason (e.g., the room was misrepresented, the host cancelled, etc.), you can raise a dispute and our moderation team will evaluate the case. If approved, refunds are processed back through Paystack.

We accept all payment methods supported by Paystack, including Nigerian debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Verve), bank transfers, and USSD. International cards are also supported for Nigerians abroad looking to secure rooms.

BVN (Bank Verification Number) verification is required to confirm your real identity and prevent fraud. It links your account to your verified banking identity, making it nearly impossible for scammers to operate on the platform. Your BVN is stored encrypted and never shared.

We accept the following government-issued IDs: National Identity Card (NIN slip or card), International Passport, Permanent Voter's Card (PVC), and Driver's License. The document must be valid (not expired) and clearly show your name and photo.

BVN verification is typically processed within minutes. Government ID verification is reviewed by our moderation team and usually completed within 1-2 business days. You will receive an email notification once your verification is complete.

Yes. We comply with the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR). Your personal data, including BVN, is stored with encryption. We never share your raw BVN or ID documents with other users. Only our verification team has access, and all access is logged for security.

Yes. Both hosts and tenants must complete full identity verification (BVN + Government ID) before they can list rooms or make bookings. This mutual verification is what makes SpareRoom Nigeria significantly safer than other platforms.

If you encounter any issues during your stay — room not as described, maintenance problems, safety concerns, etc. — you can raise a dispute through your dashboard. Provide a detailed description and any supporting evidence (photos, messages, etc.).

Our moderation team reviews all disputes impartially. Both parties are asked to provide their account of the situation along with evidence. The moderator evaluates the case against the room license agreement terms and makes a decision, which may include refunds, deposit release, or other remedies.

Most disputes are resolved within 3-5 business days. Complex cases may take up to 10 business days. You will receive updates via email as your dispute progresses through our review process.

Yes. If you disagree with the initial moderation decision, you can request an admin review. An admin has override authority and will re-evaluate the case. Admin decisions are final.

During an active dispute, your deposit remains held securely in escrow. It is not released to either party until the dispute is resolved. This protects both hosts and tenants during the resolution process.