Yes, staying in a shortlet in Nigeria can be safe. The key is to choose well: a real listing, a secure building, a safe way to pay, a clear arrival plan and a host who answers. This guide takes you through each step, from before you book to the day you leave.
We do not rank areas as safe or unsafe. Safety depends far more on the street, the building and the host than on the area name. So these tips work anywhere, from Lekki to Abuja.
Before you book
Many problems can be avoided before you pay. Spend ten minutes checking the listing and asking questions.
Check the listing is real
- The photos show the same rooms from different angles, and match the description.
- The price is in line with similar homes nearby. A price far below the rest is a warning sign.
- The host answers clear questions clearly, and does not rush you to pay.
Read how listings are checked on Cabans, and our guide to shortlet scam warning signs.
Check the building
- Security. Is there a gate, a guard or a front desk? Is the building fenced? Are there security lights or cameras in shared areas?
- Locks. Do the doors lock properly? Are windows secure? If there are burglar bars, can any window or door still open quickly in a fire?
- Keys and codes. Ask who else has keys, and whether door codes are changed between guests.
- A person on site. Is there a caretaker or security team you can reach at night?
Check the basics
- Power. Backup power keeps the lights, the gate and the security system working at night.
- Fire safety. Ask about a smoke alarm, a fire extinguisher and a clear way out.
- Gas. If there is a gas cooker, ask where the cylinder is and how to turn it off.
Check the street, not just the area
Two streets in the same area can feel very different. Before you book, look at where the home actually is:
- Is it on a lit road, or down a long, dark lane?
- How far is it from the main road, and is the access road in good shape?
- Does the street flood in heavy rain? Ask the host, especially in the rainy season.
- Is there a busy bar, club or event centre next door? Noise and crowds late at night matter.
- How will you get there after dark? Ask the host which route drivers use.
A map app helps, but the host knows the street best. A good host answers these questions openly.
Paying safely
Paying for a home that does not exist is a real risk when you book a shortlet. These rules protect you:
- Pay through a booking page with clear cancellation and refund rules, not to a stranger’s personal account.
- Never pay a “viewing fee” or a deposit to “hold” a home you cannot check.
- Check the name on any account you are asked to pay. It should match the business or host you are dealing with.
- Know the refund rules before you pay: until when you can cancel, and what you get back.
- Keep every receipt and message until the stay is over and your caution deposit is back.
On Cabans, a shortlet that takes online bookings is paid for on its own booking page. You pay securely online through Paystack. Paystack’s processing fee is added and shown before you pay, and it is not refunded. The booking box tells you until when you can cancel for free. If you cancel in time, refunds reach you within 14 days at most, and usually in about 5 days. The home’s exact address is shown only once your booking is confirmed.
Arriving safely
Arrival is when you are carrying your bags and do not know the area yet. Plan it before you travel.
- Arrive in daylight if you can. It is easier to find the gate and check the home.
- Get the arrival instructions in writing: the address, the gate, the building, the flat and who to call.
- Share your plans. Send the address and your arrival time to someone you trust.
- Use a ride you can trace, such as a ride-hailing app or a driver you know.
- Message the host when you are close, so you do not wait outside with your luggage.
- Walk round the home first. Check every door and window locks, and find the fire exit before you unpack.
If something feels wrong on arrival, do not go in. Leave, get somewhere safe, and contact the host from there.
Codes and keys
Some shortlets use a door code or a key box instead of a front desk. That is fine, as long as the code is kept private.
- Do not share your door code with anyone who is not staying with you.
- Do not post photos that show the door, the code panel or the key box.
- Lock the door every time you go out, and at night.
- If you lose a key, tell the host straight away so they can change the lock.
- Be suspicious of any call, text or email asking you for your code.
On Cabans, your door code and Wi-Fi password appear only on your stay page, and only after your host completes your check-in. They are shown when you tap, and hidden again after a minute. For your safety they are never sent by email, and they are stored encrypted. So an email that claims to send you a code is not from us. See how to see your door code and Wi-Fi password.
Getting help during your stay
Before you arrive, save these numbers in your phone: the host, the caretaker or building security, and the emergency services. In Nigeria you can dial 112 for emergencies.
- Emergencies first. In a fire, a break-in or a medical emergency, get safe and call for help. Tell the host afterwards.
- Problems next. A broken lock, a gas smell, no water or no power: tell the host straight away, with a photo if you can.
- Keep it in writing. Messages give you a record if there is a question about your stay or your deposit later.
On Cabans, once you are checked in, your stay page has “Stay services”. Use “Call for help” to ask your host to get back to you, or “Report an issue” for something broken, missing or not working. Your host gets an email for each request. You can also message your host at any time. See how to ask your host for help during your stay.
Health and comfort
- Mosquitoes. Malaria is a risk across Nigeria. Pack repellent, ask whether the windows have nets, and keep them closed at dusk.
- Drinking water. Drink bottled or filtered water, and ask the host what the tap water is for.
- Food. Clean the fridge shelves before you use them, and check the cooker works safely.
- A small first-aid kit. Plasters, painkillers and any medicine you take. Ask the host where the nearest pharmacy and hospital are.
Travelling alone or with children
On your own
- Choose a building with security at the gate and a person on site.
- Tell someone where you are staying and when you expect to be back each day.
- Do not post your exact location online while you are there.
- Keep your phone charged, and a small power bank with you.
With children
- Check balconies, stairs and windows. Ask about railings and window locks before you book.
- If there is a pool, ask whether it is fenced, and never leave children alone near it.
- Move medicines, cleaning products and sharp things out of reach.
- Show older children how to lock the door and who to call.
- Ask the host about a cot or a gate for stairs if you need one.
Travelling as a group or a family? Our guide to shortlet duplexes for groups helps you pick the right home.
Your ID and your privacy
Some hosts ask to see your ID. That is normal, and it helps them know who is staying. Share it only with the host, and only once the booking is confirmed.
On Cabans, if a home asks for an ID, you upload it on your stay page. Only your host and our team can see it, and your host can open it only until 30 days after check-out. We keep it securely for up to 6 years after your stay, as data laws require, and then delete it.
Book with confidence
Find a shortlet you can book and use the checks above on every home you like. To start in a particular city, see shortlets in Victoria Island, Ikeja or Abuja. Hosts: a safe, well-run home earns trust. Read shortlet security for hosts, then list your short let and describe your security clearly.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to stay in a shortlet in Nigeria?
Yes, if you choose carefully. Pick a real listing with a clear address, pay through a secure booking page, know how you will get in, and know who to call if something goes wrong.
What is the safest place to stay in Lagos?
There is no single answer, and we do not rank areas. Safety depends on the street and the building more than the area name. Look for a gated estate or building with security, good lighting and a host who answers quickly.
How do I know a shortlet listing is real?
Check that the photos match the description, that the host answers clear questions, and that the price is in line with similar homes. Never pay for a home the host will not describe properly. Our warning-signs guide lists the red flags.
Should I pay a shortlet host by bank transfer?
Be very careful. A transfer to a personal account is hard to get back if the home is not real. Pay through a booking page with clear cancellation and refund rules wherever you can.
Is a shortlet safe for a woman travelling alone?
Yes, with the right choices. Choose a building with security at the gate, arrive in daylight if you can, share your address with someone you trust, and check the locks as soon as you arrive.
What should I do in an emergency during my stay?
Get safe first and call the emergency services. In Nigeria you can dial 112. Then tell your host. Save both numbers in your phone before you arrive.
Will Cabans ever email me my door code?
No. Your door code and Wi-Fi password appear only on your stay page, after your host completes your check-in. For your safety they are never sent by email. Treat any email that claims to send them as suspicious.
Related guides
Shortlet scam warning signs · How to find a shortlet · Shortlet caution fee refund · Check-in and check-out times · What comes with a shortlet? · Avoiding property scams
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