Being a student in Lagos and a stay-at-home mother, I've turned into a reluctant handywoman. I never imagined myself in this position, but that's the strange thing about life—it can push you in unexpected directions. Allow me to depict to you my day-to-day existence.I spend the most of my days at home taking care of my family and reading for my classes. I only actually leave the house for school lectures. Although I lead a busy life, I've become accustomed to the rhythm. The never-ending struggle with home repairs is something I haven't grown accustomed to, though.
If you've ever lived in Lagos, you are familiar with the typical landlord behavior. These Lagos landlords are an uncommon kind. It's like trying to squeeze water out of a stone when you try to get them to fix anything in the house. It's a protracted procedure that frequently results in tense disputes and is full of promises and justifications. Who has the time or energy for that drama, let's be honest? I've therefore taken a different tack. I don't wait for the landlord to fix something in the house, especially if it's something we depend on. I decide to handle things on my own.
Sometimes it's something easy enough for me to manage. A faucet that leaks? I can handle this. A doorknob that is loose? Think of it as fixed. However, there are some fixes that are too difficult for me to do myself. That's when I get help from the experts, the handymen who have become my go-to people for solving issues. Surely, you're asking yourself, "Isn't that the landlord's job?" Technically speaking, it is.
The difficulty is that, while you wait for the landlord, you may have to deal with an issue for several weeks or even months. Can you image spending that much time dealing with a broken electrical outlet or a running toilet? I refuse to, and I can't.
Of course, there are unique difficulties associated with this strategy. To start with, the cost may be high. As a stay-at-home mother and student, these repairs mount up, and I don't have a limitless supply of money.
Every naira I spend on house repairs is a naira I could have used for my family's necessities or my education. The landlord's response comes next. Whoa, what thoughts do they have about renters who fix things themselves? While some people are grateful for the endeavor, many are, to put it mildly, not overly enthusiastic. They bemoan the lack of consultation, the caliber of the job (even when it's done by professionals), and occasionally they even charge me with trying to raise the cost of the repairs.
Striking a balance between keeping the place habitable and avoiding too much encroachment on the landlord's property is a difficult task. I now know how to choose my battles. little fixes? I take care of those without thinking twice. But for the big ones, like a falling ceiling, serious plumbing problems, or anything that compromises the house's structural integrity, I'll follow the correct procedures and handle the landlord, no matter how annoying it may be.
I've learned a lot about problem-solving and negotiation from this whole experience. I now know how to be resourceful and come up with original answers for problems around the house. Additionally, I've developed some handyman abilities that I now highly value even though I never believed I'd need them.
More than that, though, it has changed the way I view my house and neighborhood. I've developed friendships with neighborhood handymen and have come to respect and learn from their abilities. With other tenants in comparable circumstances, I've made connections and have even shared resources and advice. This life of unforeseen house maintenance and landlord diplomacy is not always simple.
There are times when I wish I could just call the landlord for anything and everything as I would if I were a regular renter. But then I realize that I've made the right decision because I recall the satisfaction I get from fixing my own problems and the peace of mind that comes with a well-kept home.
I would advise my fellow Lagos residents to not be scared to take the initiative, especially if they are students or stay-at-home parents and find themselves in similar circumstances. It's not perfect, yes. Indeed, it may be expensive and annoying. However, your home's security and comfort make it worthwhile. Acquire some fundamental do-it-yourself skills; you'll be astonished at how many problems you can fix yourself.
Create a network of trustworthy handymen for the more difficult tasks. Above all, be aware of your rights as a renter. While doing small repairs can simplify your life, avoid giving landlords the benefit of the doubt.
Ultimately, your house serves as your haven. It serves as your home base for raising a family, studying, and relaxing. It's worth the extra work to maintain its condition. Who knows? Perhaps these experiences will come in helpful when you eventually buy your own home.
Thus, cheers to all of us unintentional handymen and women out there who are improving Lagos rentals one do-it-yourself fix at a time. Even if this isn't what we signed up for, we're still making the most of it, and it's improved our houses.
