When you rent a flat in Nigeria, the two power questions that matter most are which band the street's feeder is on, and whether the flat has its own prepaid meter. The band tells you how much supply the street is meant to get and which tariff you pay; the meter decides whether you pay for your own use or share a bill with the neighbours. This guide explains both, without quoting hours or tariffs: check the approved order that applies to your feeder and customer class. Your distribution company can identify the regulator with oversight of your area: the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) or the relevant state electricity regulator. NERC explains how federal and state tariff oversight works.
Who supplies your power
Electricity reaches homes through a distribution company, or DisCo, that covers your area. Each DisCo runs many feeders, and each feeder supplies a set of streets. Your account, your bills, your meter and your band all sit with the DisCo for your area, so it is the first place to ask about any of them.
What the bands mean
In the service-based tariff system, feeders are placed in bands from A to E according to the hours of supply they are meant to deliver each day.
- Band A has the highest supply commitment in this band system.
- Bands B, C, D and E have lower supply commitments. Check the approved tariff for your feeder and customer class.
- The band belongs to the feeder, so every flat on the same feeder is in the same band, whatever the rent.
- A feeder that does not deliver its band's hours may qualify for reclassification under the applicable regulatory rules. Ask the DisCo for its feeder list and complaint process.
For a renter, compare the supply commitment, actual service and approved unit charge for the feeder. A lower supply commitment may mean more reliance on a generator or inverter. The best fit depends on how much you are at home and what backup the building has.
How to find the band before you rent
- Ask the landlord or agent for a recent vending receipt or bill. It usually shows the tariff class.
- Note the meter number at the viewing.
- Check the DisCo's published feeder list, or call its customer care with the meter number and ask which feeder and band supply it.
- Ask neighbours how many hours of supply they actually get. The band is a promise; their answer is the practice.
Prepaid, postpaid and shared meters
| Set-up | How you pay | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Own prepaid meter | Buy units in advance and load them on the meter | Debt left on the meter by a previous user; whether units can be bought online |
| Postpaid account | A monthly bill, which may be estimated if there is no working meter | Estimated bills that do not match use; arrears on the account |
| One meter shared by the compound | The bill or units are split between flats | How the split is done; disputes when one flat uses more |
| Private sub-meter from the landlord | You pay the landlord for what your sub-meter records | The unit price the landlord charges; who reads the meter |
How to get a prepaid meter
- Agree it with the landlord. The meter is tied to the property's account, which is normally in the owner's name. A tenant should apply only with the landlord's written consent.
- Apply to your DisCo. Use its website, app or customer office. Some meters are supplied by approved meter providers that work with the DisCo; the DisCo will tell you which route applies.
- Confirm the cost and who pays it, in writing, before anything is installed. Agree with the landlord whether it is deducted from rent, refunded, or simply left with the property.
- Let only DisCo-approved installers fit it. Ask for identification, and get the meter number and account details at installation.
- Clear the old account. Ask the DisCo to close or settle any postpaid arrears so they are not carried onto the new meter.
Power questions to ask at a viewing
- Does this flat have its own meter? Prepaid or postpaid? Can I see it?
- Which feeder and band supply the street?
- Is there any debt on the meter or the account, and will you clear it before I move in?
- Is there a generator, an inverter or solar? What does it cover, and who pays for diesel and maintenance?
- If power or diesel is part of the service charge, how is it calculated? See our service charge guide.
Put the answers in the tenancy agreement. Our tenancy agreement template has a service charge and bills clause for this, and the room and parlour vs mini flat guide explains why shared meters are common in smaller units.
Frequently asked questions
What do electricity bands A to E mean?
Bands group electricity customers by the hours of supply their feeder is meant to receive each day. Band A has the highest supply commitment; bands B to E have lower commitments. Tariffs also depend on customer class and the approved order. Check your distribution company and the regulator with oversight of your area, NERC or the relevant state regulator, for the applicable figures.
How do I know my band?
Your band belongs to the feeder that supplies your street, not to your flat. Your distribution company (DisCo) publishes the band of each feeder, and your bill or vending receipt usually shows the tariff class. You can also ask the DisCo's customer care line with your meter or account number.
How do I get a prepaid meter as a tenant?
The meter is normally applied for by the property owner or in the owner's name, because it is tied to the property's account with the DisCo. A tenant can ask the landlord to apply, or apply with the landlord's written consent. Applications go through your DisCo, and some meters are supplied through approved meter providers working with it. Ask the DisCo what the current process and any charge are.
Is it better to rent a flat with its own prepaid meter?
Usually, yes. With your own prepaid meter you pay only for what you use, you can see your consumption, and you avoid disputes over how a shared bill is split between flats. On a shared meter or an estimated bill, ask in writing how the cost is divided before you sign.
Can I be made to pay the previous tenant's electricity debt?
Debts on an account belong to the account holder, not to a new tenant. But a debt left on a prepaid meter can be recovered by the DisCo from future vending, so check the meter for outstanding debt at the viewing and agree in writing that the landlord clears it before you move in.
Related guides
Tenancy agreement template · Service charges · Room and parlour vs mini flat · Tenant rights in Nigeria
Take the next step
Keep your research practical: search for property in Lagos, compare live options for flat for rent in Lagos, or list your property on Cabans to reach active buyers and renters.
Not ready yet? Get an email when new listings go up in Lagos.