In Lagos 2025, property prices are rising, so if your property isn’t earning you money, it’s simply lost income. That’s why more homeowners are turning to the short-let framework in Lagos, which is a smart, modern way to turn your apartment into a steady stream of income without selling or locking into long leases.

Platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and homegrown apps like Fibre and Havenly have made short-term hosting easier than ever. Today, thousands of Lagos apartments are being booked by digital nomads, business travelers, and vacationers looking for flexible, comfortable spaces.

According to a 2025 market report by Estate Intel, the short-let sector in Lagos grew by over 20% in the last year, fueled by the rise of remote work and the constant inflow of local and international guests.

In simple terms?

If you have an apartment you no longer use or use once in a while, it doesn’t have to sit idle anymore. With the short-let framework in Lagos, you can turn your home into a hotel and yourself into a host.

What Exactly Is the Short-Let Framework?

The short-let framework in Lagos refers to a structured real estate model that allows property owners to rent out their apartments for short durations usually from a few days to several months, instead of the traditional one-year lease.

It’s the business side of Airbnb investment in Nigeria, and it’s changing how homeowners think about property ownership.

However, success in this space goes beyond just listing your house online and waiting for guests.

A truly profitable short-let apartment is hospitality-ready, that is, it is designed to deliver comfort, experience, and convenience rather than just accommodation.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Neutral and modern interiors: The spaces should feel premium and uncluttered (no personal items or family photos).
  
• Reliable amenities: There should be consistent power supply, high-speed WiFi, and working appliances. These are non-negotiable for today’s digital travelers.
  
• Seamless check-in: The property should have smart locks, key cards, or concierge services that make guests feel safe and welcome.
  
• Prime location: The properties should be close to business and lifestyle districts like Lekki Phase 1, Victoria Island, Ikeja GRA, and Chevron Drive. Properties close to these regions tend to perform best.
  

Because short-let guests aren’t just looking for a place to stay, your property should be providing them with comfort, and convenience.

What Kind of Apartments Make the Most Money?

According to insights shared by Joan Obi Okuhon, a Lagos-based real estate professional, and data from multiple short-let property managers, the short-let framework in Lagos has clear trends on what types of apartments perform best.

Here’s what the numbers show:

• 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments attract the highest number of bookings. They’re affordable, easy to manage, and appeal to solo travelers, couples, and business guests.
  
• 3-bedroom units perform well when designed for families or positioned as luxury options with premium finishing and amenities.
  
• During peak seasons, typically December to April, occupancy rates climb to about 60–90%.
  
• In off-peak months (May to November), occupancy drops slightly to 30–50%, depending on the property’s location and management quality.
  

On average, a well-managed short-let apartment in Lagos maintains about 50% occupancy, which equals roughly 15 booked nights per month.

Now, imagine charging ₦100,000 per night, that’s around ₦1.5 million monthly from just one apartment. Even after factoring in cleaning, maintenance, utilities, and management fees, a property owner still enjoys solid returns.

It’s this level of consistency that makes the short-let framework in Lagos one of the most attractive forms of Airbnb investment in Nigeria today. The short-let framework in Lagos isn’t all easy money. Like every business, it comes with its own set of challenges.

Read about fractional ownership in real estate

Running a short-let or Airbnb investment in Nigeria means dealing with a few moving parts:

• Maintenance costs: you’ll need regular cleaning, appliance repairs, and touch-ups to keep your apartment guest-ready.
  
• Utility bills: power, water, and internet aren’t optional and let’s be honest, Lagos electricity alone can test anyone’s patience.
  
• Guest management: not every guest will be easy to handle; you’ll need structure, communication, and sometimes, plenty of calm.
  
• Platform fees: if you use Airbnb or other listing sites, remember they take a small percentage from each booking.
  

Still, when managed properly, it’s one of the smartest real estate income streams out there. That’s why many homeowners partner with short-let property managers.

Because at the end of the day, the short-let framework in Lagos works best when it’s treated like a business, not just a side hustle.

Who Are Short-Let Property Managers?

Short-let property managers are professionals or specialized agencies that handle the day-to-day operations of a short-term rental property on behalf of the owner.

In the context of the short-let framework in Lagos, these managers act as the bridge between homeowners and guests, ensuring the apartment stays profitable, well-maintained, and guest-ready at all times.

Their responsibilities typically include:

• Managing bookings across platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, or local rental apps.
  
• Coordinating cleaning, maintenance, and repairs to keep the property in top shape.
  
• Handling check-ins and check-outs, including guest communication and feedback.
  
• Monitoring pricing, occupancy rates, and reviews to optimize performance.
  
• Overseeing payments, security deposits, and damage claims, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
  

For many investors exploring Airbnb investment in Nigeria, hiring a short-let property manager is what separates a stressful experience from a sustainable business. They take care of the day-to-day stress, so you can focus on the returns thereby turning your short-let into a passive income stream, not a full-time job.

Lagos has become the heartbeat of the short-let framework in Nigeria, and for good reason, the city never sleeps. Between constant business activity, booming tourism, and the steady flow of new residents, the demand for flexible short-term accommodation keeps growing every year.

Here are 10 ways to make your land profitable in Nigeria

From tech professionals relocating for work to families visiting for weddings or the famous Detty December crowd looking for a comfortable stay, short-let apartments in Lagos are always in demand. This has made the city the most active market for Airbnb investment in Nigeria, with occupancy levels peaking during festive and event seasons.

Developers have caught on to this trend. Across Lekki, Ajah, Ikoyi, and Victoria Island, purpose-built short-let apartments are springing up, fully furnished, serviced, and designed specifically for investors who want reliable, hassle-free income.

In essence, Lagos offers the perfect environment for short-let growth. It is a blend of business, lifestyle, and opportunity that keeps both hosts and guests coming back.

Is Lagos the only place to invest in?

No, Ibadan is also making waves. Here are places you can invest in Ibadan.

Conclusion

The short-let framework is how Lagos homeowners are taking control of their real estate investments thereby creating income without selling their assets.

If your apartment is sitting empty while you travel or live elsewhere, you’re leaving money on the table. Make your property work for you. Turn that idle apartment into an income-generating short-let and join the wave of Lagos homeowners rewriting what real estate ownership really means.

Because in today’s world, a smart house isn’t the one you live in, it’s the one that pays you.