Shortlet prices in Lagos rise for Detty December because far more people want a flat in the same few weeks. Many hosts set higher prices for their busiest nights, and the best-value flats go first. You can still pay less if you know how December prices are built.
This guide explains why prices rise, how to read a December price in full, and when to book. We do not quote naira figures. December prices change week by week, so the only number worth trusting is the live price for your own dates.
Why December nights cost more
“Detty December” is the Lagos nickname for the festive season. Several things push shortlet prices up at the same time:
- More people arrive. Nigerians living abroad come home, and visitors travel in from other states.
- Everything happens at once. Weddings, concerts, parties and family gatherings all fall in the same weeks.
- The number of flats stays the same. There are only so many furnished homes in popular areas.
- Hosts price by the night. Many hosts charge most for the nights around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
- Longer minimum stays. Some hosts only take bookings of several nights in December.
None of this makes a high price fair on its own. It does mean the same flat can cost very different amounts in November and late December. So always compare prices for the same dates.
On Cabans, hosts can set a special price for a single night, or one price for a whole period. When the nights in your stay cost different amounts, the booking box says “Night prices vary by date”. Each free day on the calendar also shows its own night price in small blue text.
Finding the real price for your dates
A price you see while scrolling is often the cheapest night, not your night. Before you compare flats, get the real price for your exact stay. Here is how:
- Fix your dates. Know your arrival day and the morning you leave.
- Ignore “from” prices. The lowest price may be for a quiet night in November.
- Get the total for your nights. Enter your dates on the listing, or ask the host for a written total.
- Compare like with like. Same area, same number of bedrooms, and the same things included.
- Check two or three areas. The same money can buy a bigger flat a little further out.
Start with the areas where your plans are. Compare shortlets in Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikeja for the same dates, and you will see how much the area changes the total.
On Cabans, pick your check-in and check-out days on a listing’s calendar. The green “Price Breakdown” card shows each run of nights at the same price, such as “2 nights × ₦…”, then any discount, the cleaning fee, the caution deposit and the “Total”. Cabans works out every price for you, so there is nothing to add up yourself. See how to check dates and prices.
The full bill, not just the night price
A December shortlet bill has more than one part. Two flats with the same night price can have very different totals.
| Part | How it is charged | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|
| Nights | Each night can have its own price in December | Only if you cancel in time |
| Discount | Taken off the nights, if the host offers one | Not a charge |
| Cleaning fee | Once per stay, however many nights | Only if you cancel in time |
| Caution deposit | Once per stay, held against damage | Yes, after check-out, less any fair damage cost |
Then ask what is included, because these can add up in December:
- Power. How many hours of generator or inverter power, and is diesel included?
- Water and Wi-Fi. Is there a borehole or tank, and is the Wi-Fi fast enough for video calls?
- Cleaning during the stay. Is it included, or charged each time?
- Extras. Airport pick-up, breakfast or drinks may cost more.
The caution deposit should come back after you leave. Our guide is a shortlet caution fee refundable? explains when and how.
When you pay on Cabans, you pay securely online through Paystack. Paystack’s payment processing fee is added to your total, and you see it before you pay. It is not refunded if you cancel.
Booking earlier vs later
Book as soon as your dates are firm. In October and November you still have the widest choice of flats and areas. The best-value homes tend to go first, and waiting rarely helps.
Some guests wait, hoping a host will drop the price of unsold nights near the date. That can happen, but in December it is a gamble. You may end up with no flat in the area you wanted.
Booking early has one more benefit: time to change your mind. Many hosts let you cancel for a full refund until a set time before check-in. Book long before that deadline, and a change of plans costs you nothing. Book inside it, and you may not be able to cancel at all.
On Cabans, each host chooses a free-cancellation time between 24 hours and 30 days before check-in. The booking box shows “Free cancellation until…” with the exact date and time before you pay. A stay that starts inside that time shows “No free cancellation” instead. One rule helps late bookers: a cut-off longer than 15 days only applies in full when you book more than 30 days before check-in.
Price traps to watch for in December
Busy seasons bring surprise charges as well as higher prices. Watch for these before you pay:
- A price that changes after you agree. A host who says “that was the old rate” once you are ready to pay.
- Charges added at the door. Diesel, extra guests, visitors or a “December levy” you were not told about.
- A price far below similar flats. In December, a bargain in a top area is more likely to be fake than lucky.
- Pressure to pay now. “Someone else wants it” is a push to skip your checks.
- A deposit to “hold” the dates. Never pay a stranger before the dates, total and rules are agreed.
For a December stay, get these in writing before any money moves:
- the total for your exact nights, with the cleaning fee and caution deposit shown;
- the last day you can cancel for a full refund;
- the rules on visitors, parties and noise, including on New Year’s Eve;
- the hours of power, and whether fuel is included;
- the check-in time on your arrival day, and who will meet you.
Our guide to shortlet scams in Nigeria covers the warning signs that apply all year.
Ways to pay less in December
You cannot change the season, but you can change how much of it you pay for. Try these:
- Move your dates by a night or two. Arriving a day earlier, or leaving a day before New Year’s Eve, can lower the total.
- Stay longer. Many hosts take money off longer stays, so a week can cost less per night than three nights.
- Watch the cleaning fee on short stays. It is charged once, so it weighs more on a two-night stay than on a week.
- Share a bigger flat. A three-bedroom flat split between friends can cost each person less than separate rooms.
- Stay a little further out. Areas such as Yaba or Surulere can give more space for the money. Plan your transport, though, because December traffic is heavy.
- Check what is included. A slightly higher price with power and cleaning included can beat a cheaper one without.
- Book early. You choose from more flats, so you can pick the best value.
On Cabans, a host can offer a longer-stay discount, such as “7+ nights, 10% off”, or free nights, such as “Stay 5 nights, get 1 free”. You get whichever saves you more, never both. Discounts never apply to the cleaning fee or the caution deposit.
Planning the whole trip, not just the flat? Our Detty December planning guide covers where to stay, traffic and checks before you pay.
See December shortlets in Lagos and compare the full price for your dates in two or three areas before you choose.
Own a flat in Lagos? December is the busiest time of year for guests. List your short let early so guests find it before they book, and read pricing your shortlet for Detty December.
Frequently asked questions
Why are shortlets so expensive in December?
Because far more people want a place to stay in the same few weeks. People come home from abroad, visitors arrive from other states, and weddings and concerts fill the calendar. The number of good flats does not grow, so many hosts charge more for their busiest nights.
How much is a shortlet in Lagos for Detty December?
It depends on the area, the size of the flat, what is included and your exact nights. Prices also change week by week as flats fill up, so we do not quote a figure. Enter your dates on a few listings in the same area and compare the full totals.
When should I book a shortlet for December?
As soon as your travel dates are firm. October and November give you the widest choice. Booking early also leaves more time before the host’s free-cancellation deadline, in case your plans change.
Is the caution fee higher in December?
Some hosts ask for a bigger caution deposit in busy weeks, especially for groups. It is still refundable. You get it back after check-out, less the fair cost of any damage the host can show.
Are shortlet prices lower after New Year?
Often, the first days of January are quieter than late December, and some hosts price them lower. That does not always happen, so check the live price for the dates you want before you plan around it.
Can I get a discount on a December shortlet?
Sometimes. Many hosts give a discount for longer stays, and moving your dates away from the busiest nights can lower the total. Always compare the full price for the same dates, not just the night price.
How do I see the full December price on Cabans?
Open a shortlet and pick your check-in and check-out days on its calendar. The “Price Breakdown” then shows each run of nights at the same price, any discount, the cleaning fee, the caution deposit and the “Total”. Paystack’s payment fee is added when you pay, and you see it before you pay.
Related guides
Detty December in Lagos: plan early · How much is a shortlet in Lagos? · Best areas for a shortlet in Lagos · Is a shortlet caution fee refundable? · Shortlet scams: warning signs
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