Handing over keys to a stranger is always a leap of faith. Whether you are letting a flat on a two-year lease or welcoming a guest to a shortlet for a weekend, you need to know who is actually moving in. Know Your Tenant, often shortened to KYT, is the practice of confirming a tenant’s or guest’s identity before they take possession. This guide explains why tenant verification matters in Nigeria, what a good check looks like and how to make it part of your routine without slowing down good applicants.
What Know Your Tenant means
Banks have long used “Know Your Customer” checks to confirm who they are dealing with. Know Your Tenant applies the same idea to property. At its simplest, it means confirming that:
- The person applying is who they say they are.
- The identity document they provide is a recognised form of ID.
- The face on the document matches the person in front of you, or on the other side of the screen.
It is not about treating tenants with suspicion. It is about having a reliable record of who occupies your property, which benefits honest tenants as much as it benefits you.
Why identity verification protects your property
Skipping verification can leave a landlord or host exposed in several ways:
- Impersonation: someone may apply using another person’s name or documents.
- Unclear occupancy: without a verified record, it is harder to know who is responsible for the unit.
- Disputes: if there is damage, unpaid rent or a disagreement, a verified identity makes it easier to follow up.
- Safety: neighbours, other tenants and your own staff benefit when you know who is living in or visiting the building.
For shortlets, the stakes can feel higher because guests change frequently and stays are often booked at short notice. A consistent check gives you confidence before each arrival.
Which documents to accept
In Nigeria, the most common forms of identification a tenant or guest can provide are:
- International passport
- Voter’s card
- Driver’s licence
- National Identification Number (NIN)
Accepting any of these gives applicants flexibility while still giving you a recognised document to work with. Be clear in your listing or application process about which documents you accept, so there are no surprises at the last minute.
Why a selfie match matters
A document on its own only proves that the document exists. It does not prove that the person sending it is the owner. Photos of ID cards can be shared, borrowed or copied. A selfie match closes that gap by comparing a fresh photo of the applicant with the photo on their ID. When the two match, you have much stronger assurance that the applicant is the genuine holder of the document.
How KYT works in Recurrent
Recurrent includes AI-powered KYT for both tenants and shortlet guests. The process is straightforward:
- The tenant or guest uploads one of the accepted documents: international passport, voter’s card, driver’s licence or NIN.
- They take a selfie, which is matched against the photo on their ID.
- You see the outcome before you hand over the keys, alongside the rest of their tenant or guest details.
Because the tenant or guest completes the steps themselves, you are not left collecting photocopies or chasing scanned documents over chat. For shortlets, you can combine KYT with manual booking approval, so you can review a guest’s verification before confirming their stay.
Good practice for landlords and hosts
Verification works best when it is part of a fair, consistent process. Keep these points in mind:
- Verify every tenant and guest, not only those who make you uneasy. Consistency is fairer and avoids any suggestion of bias.
- Explain why you ask for ID. Most people are comfortable once they understand it protects everyone in the building.
- Handle personal data with care. Only collect what you need and keep it secure, rather than in open chat threads. Nigeria has data protection rules that apply to personal information, so take advice if you are unsure of your obligations.
- Pair verification with a written tenancy agreement, so identity and obligations are recorded together.
Know who is moving in
Tenant verification in Nigeria does not need to be slow or awkward. With an accepted ID document and a selfie match, you can confirm who is moving in or checking in before you hand over the keys. To add Know Your Tenant checks to your lettings, see how Recurrent works for landlords, or create your account and start verifying tenants and guests today.
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