A shortlet usually comes furnished, with beds and bedding, towels, a living room, a kitchen you can cook in, and Wi-Fi. What varies most is backup power, water, internet speed and cleaning during your stay. Never assume a shortlet has 24-hour power. Check the listing, and ask the host how each of these works before you pay.
This guide explains what “furnished” usually means in Nigeria, what to check for each amenity, and the questions to ask.
What “furnished” usually means
A furnished shortlet or furnished apartment is ready to live in from the first night. You can usually expect:
- beds with mattresses, sheets and pillows;
- towels, at least one per guest;
- a sofa, a table and chairs;
- a kitchen with a cooker, a fridge, pots, plates and cutlery;
- curtains or blinds, and air conditioning or fans;
- a TV, often with satellite or streaming channels.
Beyond that, it depends on the host. A pool, a gym, a games room, a washing machine or a desk are all worth checking for. The photos and the description are your best guide, and if something matters to you, ask before you book.
Some things are rarely part of “furnished”, so plan for them. Think of food beyond a starter supply, toiletries for a long stay, drinking water and phone chargers. Our list of what to pack for a shortlet covers them.
Looking for furnished apartments in Lagos or Abuja? Compare homes in shortlets in Lagos and shortlets in Abuja.
Power and water
Power. Grid supply in Nigeria comes and goes, and hosts back it up in different ways. Each one works differently for you as a guest:
| Backup | What it can usually run |
|---|---|
| Generator | Everything, air conditioning included, often at set hours |
| Inverter and batteries | Lights, fans, TV, Wi-Fi and phone charging; often not air conditioning |
| Solar panels with an inverter | Much like an inverter, topped up by day |
Ask the host two questions: “What works when the grid is off, and for how many hours?” and “Does the air conditioning run on backup at night?”
Water. Where a home uses a borehole and an overhead tank, water depends on the pump. Ask whether there is running water all day, whether every bathroom has hot water, and whether drinking water is provided.
Wi-Fi
If you need to work, stream or make video calls, ask about the Wi-Fi before you book:
- Is it fibre or a mobile router? Fibre is usually steadier.
- Is there a backup if the main connection drops?
- Does the router stay on when the power goes off?
- Is it fast enough for video calls? Ask the host to run a speed test and send you the result.
- Is the data unlimited, or can it run out during your stay?
If you must stay online, bring a pocket Wi-Fi device or spare mobile data as your own backup.
On Cabans, the Wi-Fi network name shows on your stay page once your booking is confirmed. The password shows once your host completes your check-in, and for your safety it is never emailed.
Kitchen and laundry
A kitchen is one of the best reasons to choose a shortlet over a hotel. But kitchens vary, so check for:
- a cooker, gas or electric, and whether the gas is refilled between guests;
- a fridge and freezer, and a microwave or oven;
- a kettle, blender and toaster;
- enough pots, plates and cutlery for your group;
- starter supplies such as salt, oil and washing-up liquid.
For laundry, ask whether there is a washing machine, an iron and a place to dry clothes. On a short stay you may not need them. On a long stay, you will.
Cleaning during the stay
The host cleans before you arrive and after you leave. Cleaning during your stay is different. Some hosts include it on long stays, some charge for it, and some do not offer it. A cleaning fee, if the listing has one, is charged once and usually pays for the clean after you leave.
Ask before you book: “Is there a clean during the stay? How often, and is it included?” Ask too whether towels and bed linen are changed on longer stays.
On Cabans, once your host completes your check-in, you can ask for help from your stay page under “Stay services”. Choose “Room service” for fresh towels, bed linen or supplies, “Cleaner” for a clean, or “Report an issue” if something is broken or not working. Your host gets your request by email. See how to ask your host for help during your stay.
Security and parking
Some shortlets sit in an estate or a compound with a gate, a guard or cameras. Others are in an ordinary building on a busy street. Neither is wrong, but you should know which one you are booking.
- Ask whether there is a gate, a guard and working outside lights.
- Ask how visitors and ride-hailing drivers get past the gate.
- If you are driving, ask whether parking is inside the compound, and how many cars fit.
- Check that the doors and windows lock, and whether there is a safe for valuables.
Pools, gyms and other extras
Some shortlets come with a pool, a gym, a cinema room or a games room. These can make a stay, but check the details:
- Is the pool private to the home, or shared with the whole estate?
- What hours can you use it, and are there rules for visitors?
- Is the pool cleaned and cared for during your stay?
- Is there a fence or gate around it, if you are bringing small children?
Shared facilities often belong to the estate, not the host, so their rules can change. Ask the host to confirm they are open on your dates. For a film or games room, here is what to ask about a cinema or games room.
Want a pool? See shortlets with a pool in Lagos.
Questions to ask
Copy these into a message to the host before you pay:
- What runs when the grid is off, and for how many hours a day?
- Is there running water all day, and hot water in every bathroom?
- How fast is the Wi-Fi, and is there a backup?
- What is in the kitchen, and is cooking gas included?
- Is there a washing machine or a laundry service?
- Is cleaning during the stay included, and how often are towels changed?
- Is there parking, and security at the gate?
- Is there a pool, gym or other shared facility, and what are the rules for using it?
Keep the answers in writing. If an answer later turns out to be wrong, you will want the message. Our shortlet safety tips cover what to check when you arrive, and what to pack for a shortlet fills the gaps.
Check everything when you arrive
Spend ten minutes testing the home before you unpack. If something is wrong, you want the host to know on day one.
- Turn on the taps and the shower, and check for hot water.
- Switch on the air conditioning, the fans and the TV.
- Connect to the Wi-Fi and try a short video.
- Ask how the power switches to backup, and what to do if it does not.
- Look for damage, stains or missing items, and take photos.
- Send the host a message about anything that does not work.
A written note from the first day protects your caution deposit, and gives the host time to fix things.
Ready to compare? Find a shortlet you can book online, then check the listing against this list. Good places to start are Lekki and Wuse 2.
Hosting? Answer these questions in your listing before guests have to ask, and list your short let with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
What amenities come with a shortlet?
A shortlet is usually furnished: beds with bedding, towels, a living room, a kitchen, air conditioning or fans, a TV and Wi-Fi. Backup power, hot water, laundry, a pool or a gym vary from home to home, so check the listing.
Do all shortlets have 24-hour power?
No. Hosts cover grid outages in different ways: a generator, an inverter, solar panels or a mix. Some run backup at set hours only. Ask what works when the grid is off, and for how long.
What does a furnished apartment include in Nigeria?
Enough to live in from the first night. That means beds and bedding, a sofa, a table and chairs, a kitchen with a cooker and fridge, curtains, and air conditioning or fans. Anything beyond that depends on the host.
Is Wi-Fi included in a shortlet?
Usually, yes, but the speed and reliability vary. Ask whether it is fibre or a mobile router, whether it stays on in a power cut, and whether there is a backup.
Do shortlets provide cleaning during the stay?
The host cleans before you arrive and after you leave. Cleaning during your stay varies: some hosts include it on long stays, some charge for it, and some do not offer it. Ask before you book.
Can I wash clothes in a shortlet?
Only if the home has a washing machine, or the host can arrange laundry. Ask before you book if you are staying more than a few days.
How do I ask for fresh towels or a clean on Cabans?
Once your host completes your check-in, open your stay page and go to “Stay services”. Choose “Room service” for fresh towels, bed linen or supplies, or “Cleaner” for a clean, then press “Send request”. Your host gets your request by email.
Related guides
What to pack for a shortlet · What is a shortlet? · Shortlet vs hotel in Abuja · Serviced apartment vs hotel · Shortlet safety tips
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