A shortlet is a furnished home you rent for a short time: a few nights, a few weeks or a month or two. You get the whole flat or house, usually with a kitchen, Wi-Fi and power backup. You pay by the night, not by the year.
In Nigeria you will see it written as shortlet, short let or short-let. They all mean the same thing. This guide explains how a stay works, what you pay for, and how a shortlet compares with a hotel or a yearly rent.
A shortlet in one sentence
A shortlet is a furnished home, rented by the night, for as long as you need it and no longer.
Most shortlets have these things in common:
- Furnished. Beds, sofas, a kitchen, linen and towels are already there.
- Short stays. One night up to a few months, depending on the host.
- Priced per night. Longer stays sometimes cost less per night.
- The whole home is yours. You do not share it with other guests.
- A host looks after it. The owner, or a manager, handles keys, cleaning and problems.
People also call it a short-term let, a holiday home or a holiday let. A serviced apartment is a close cousin: a furnished flat with hotel-style services, such as regular cleaning.
How a shortlet stay works
Every host does things a little differently, but most stays follow the same steps:
- Find a place. Search by area, because where you stay decides your travel time.
- Check dates and the full price. Get the total for your nights, not just the night price.
- Book and pay. You pay for the nights, and often a refundable caution deposit.
- Get your arrival details. The address, directions, and how you will get the keys.
- Check in. Usually from the afternoon of your first day.
- Enjoy your stay. Contact the host if anything breaks or runs out.
- Check out. Usually by late morning on your last day. Hand back the keys.
- Get your deposit back. The host checks the home, then returns the caution deposit.
Your check-out day is the morning you leave. You do not pay for that night. So a stay from Friday to Sunday is two nights.
On Cabans, a shortlet that takes online bookings shows a booking box with a calendar. Booking works like this:
- Pick your check-in and check-out days, then press “Reserve”. Your dates are held for 30 minutes while you pay.
- Pay securely online through Paystack. Paystack’s payment processing fee is added, and you see it before you pay. That fee is not refunded.
- With “Instant booking”, your stay is confirmed as soon as you pay. With “Host confirms”, the host has a set time to accept, 24 hours as standard. If they decline or do not answer, you are refunded.
- Once confirmed, your stay page shows the address, the host’s directions and the house rules.
- When you arrive, press “I have arrived”. Your door code and Wi-Fi password appear on your stay page once the host completes your check-in. They are never sent by email.
See how to find a short let you can book for each screen.
What you pay for
A shortlet bill usually has up to four parts:
- The nights. The night price times the number of nights. Busy dates can cost more.
- A cleaning fee. Charged once per stay, if the host has one.
- A caution deposit. A refundable sum held in case of damage. See is a shortlet caution fee refundable?
- A discount. Some hosts take money off longer stays.
Most shortlets include the basics in the price. Ask the host if any of these are missing:
- furniture, a working kitchen, bed linen and towels;
- Wi-Fi fast enough for video calls;
- power backup, such as a generator, inverter or solar;
- running water from a borehole or tank;
- security at the gate or in the estate.
Prices depend on the area, the size of the home, what is included and the dates. We do not quote figures, because prices change with the season. The live prices on shortlets in Lagos and shortlets in Abuja show what homes cost for your dates.
On Cabans, the number of guests never changes the price. Once you pick dates, the “Price Breakdown” shows the nights, any discount, the cleaning fee, the caution deposit and the “Total”.
Shortlet, hotel or yearly rent?
Each one suits a different need. Here is how they compare:
| Shortlet | Hotel | Yearly rent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How long | One night to a few months | Usually a few nights | A year or more |
| How you pay | By the night, plus a refundable deposit | By the night | A year or more in advance, plus fees |
| Space | A whole flat or house | One room | A whole flat or house |
| Kitchen | Usually | Rarely | Yes, but you furnish it |
| Furniture | Included | Included | Usually not included |
| Services | Some, from the host | Front desk, cleaning, food | None |
A yearly rent is cheapest per night if you are staying a long time, but you pay agency and legal fees and furnish it yourself. A hotel is simplest for a night or two on your own. A shortlet sits in between: home comforts, without a year’s commitment. For a Lagos comparison, read short let vs hotel in Lagos. Want hotel-style services too? See serviced apartments in Lagos.
Shortlet words explained
Listings and hosts use a few words you may not know. Here is what each one means:
- Host. The person or company letting the home. A caretaker often works for the host on site.
- Night price. What one night costs. Some hosts charge more on busy dates.
- Cleaning fee. A fixed charge, once per stay, for the clean after you leave.
- Caution deposit (or caution fee). Money held in case of damage, returned after you leave.
- Check-in time. The earliest time you can get into the home on your first day.
- Check-out time. The time you must leave by on your last day.
- Minimum stay. The fewest nights the host accepts in one booking.
- Free cancellation. The time before check-in when you can still cancel for a full refund.
- House rules. The host’s rules on visitors, parties, noise and smoking.
- Instant booking. Your stay is confirmed as soon as you pay, without waiting for the host to say yes.
If a listing uses a word you do not understand, ask the host before you pay. A good host is happy to explain.
Who shortlets suit
Shortlets work best when you want a home, not just a room. They suit:
- Families. Separate bedrooms, a kitchen and space for children to play.
- People coming home from abroad. A base near relatives for the holidays.
- Business travellers. A quiet place to work, near offices or the airport.
- People between homes. Relocating, renovating, or waiting for a new flat.
- Groups. Friends travelling for a wedding or an event. Check the party rules first.
- Staycations. A weekend away without leaving the city.
A hotel may suit you better if you want room service, a 24-hour front desk, or you are staying one night alone.
How to book one safely
Most shortlet hosts are honest, but fake listings exist, especially at busy times. Protect yourself with these checks:
- Get the full price in writing. Nights, cleaning fee, caution deposit and the total.
- Read the cancellation terms. Know the last day you can cancel for a full refund.
- Read the house rules. Especially visitors, parties, noise and smoking.
- Know where it is. The area before you pay, and the exact address before you travel.
- Never pay a stranger to “hold” a flat. Pay only once everything is agreed.
- Keep every receipt. Especially for the caution deposit.
- Film the flat when you arrive. It protects your deposit when you leave.
Our guide to shortlet scams in Nigeria lists the warning signs. To see how Cabans checks listings, read how listings are verified.
On Cabans, you pay on the site through Paystack, never by transfer to a stranger. You see the full price and the “Free cancellation until…” date before you pay.
Ready to look? Find a shortlet you can book and start with the area where you will spend most of your time.
Have a furnished flat standing empty? List your short let and let guests find it.
Frequently asked questions
What does shortlet mean?
A shortlet is a furnished flat or house you rent for a short time, from one night to a few months. You pay by the night instead of by the year. It is also written “short let” or “short-let”, and some people call it a short-term let.
Is a shortlet the same as a serviced apartment?
They are close cousins. Both are furnished homes you can rent for a short time. A serviced apartment usually adds hotel-style services, such as regular cleaning or a front desk. Many shortlets offer some of those services, so check what each one includes.
How long can you stay in a shortlet?
From one night to a few months, depending on the host. Many hosts set a minimum number of nights, especially at busy times, and some set a longest stay too. Check both before you book.
Is a shortlet cheaper than a hotel?
It depends on who is staying and for how long. For families, groups and longer stays, a shortlet often gives more space for the money, plus a kitchen. For one person staying one night, a hotel can be simpler. Compare the full price of each for your dates.
Can I cook in a shortlet?
Usually, yes. Most shortlets have a kitchen with a cooker, a fridge, pots and plates. Check the listing or ask the host, especially if you need an oven, a microwave or gas.
Do I pay a caution fee for a shortlet?
Often, yes. A caution fee is a refundable deposit held in case something is damaged. You should get it back after check-out, less the fair cost of any damage the host can show.
Can I book a shortlet online on Cabans?
Yes, when the listing shows a booking box with a calendar. Pick your dates, press “Reserve” to hold them for 30 minutes, then pay securely online through Paystack. Paystack’s payment fee is added and shown before you pay. Your stay page then shows what happens next.
Related guides
How to find a shortlet · Short let vs hotel in Lagos · What is a shortlet hotel? · Is a shortlet caution fee refundable? · Shortlet in Lagos: the renter's guide · Holiday rentals in Nigeria
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