Question 1

What is GidiStay?

Accepted Answer

GidiStay is Nigeria's trusted property rental and sales platform. We connect verified renters with verified landlords across Lagos, Ibadan, and Abuja. Every transaction is protected by escrow payments, NIN identity verification, and our proprietary GidiStay Tenant ID (GTID) Trust Score system.

Question 2

Is GidiStay free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Creating an account and browsing properties is completely free for renters. Renters only pay for bookings. Landlords list properties for free, and a small service fee is deducted from each booking payout. Landlords who want featured listings and advanced analytics can upgrade to our Premium Agency Plan.

Question 3

Which cities does GidiStay cover?

Accepted Answer

GidiStay currently operates in Lagos (including Lekki, Victoria Island, Surulere, Yaba, and Ikeja), Ibadan (including Bodija, Jericho, and Ringroad), and Abuja (including Maitama, Wuse, Garki, and Asokoro). We are actively expanding to more cities.

Question 4

What types of properties can I find on GidiStay?

Accepted Answer

GidiStay covers annual rentals (self-contained, flat, duplex, bungalow, mansion), short-term stays for days or weeks, and properties for sale. You can filter by type, budget, location, and number of bedrooms.

Question 5

How do I create an account?

Accepted Answer

Click 'Sign Up' on the homepage, choose your role (Renter, Landlord, or Agent), enter your email and a password. You will then be prompted to complete identity verification by submitting your NIN and a government ID.

Question 6

Why do I need to verify my identity?

Accepted Answer

Nigeria's rental market has a significant problem with fraud — both from fake tenants and fake landlords. By requiring every user to verify their NIN and government-issued ID, GidiStay ensures that every person on the platform is who they claim to be. This protects everyone.

Question 7

What documents do I need to verify my identity?

Accepted Answer

You will need your NIN (National Identification Number) and one government-issued ID: a driver's license, international passport, national voter's card, or NIMC slip. Our AI-assisted verification checks the documents and auto-fills some details to speed up the process.

Question 8

How long does verification take?

Accepted Answer

Most identity verifications are reviewed within 24 hours. Document quality affects processing speed — ensure your photos are clear, well-lit, and show all four corners of the ID.

Question 9

What is a GTID (GidiStay Tenant ID)?

Accepted Answer

Your GTID is a unique identifier (format: GTID-XXXXXXXX) automatically assigned when you create an account. It works as a portable rental passport. Landlords can look up your GTID to see your Trust Score before approving a booking.

Question 10

What is the Trust Score and how is it calculated?

Accepted Answer

The Trust Score (0–100) is a privacy-focused summary of your rental track record. It is calculated from four components: Document Verification (20 points), Landlord Reviews (40 points), Rental Performance — on-time payments, no damage, clean exit (30 points), and an Experience Bonus based on completed stays (10 points). Trust Score tiers are: Platinum (85+), Gold (70–84), Silver (50–69), Bronze (30–49), and Unverified (below 30).

Question 11

Can a landlord see my full rental history?

Accepted Answer

No. GidiStay is privacy-first. Landlords only see your Trust Score and tier — not the specific properties you have rented, the amounts paid, or any personal details beyond what you choose to share. You must also actively approve each landlord's request to view your Trust Score.

Question 12

How do I book a property?

Accepted Answer

Find a property you like, select your check-in and checkout dates, review the house rules, and confirm your booking. You will be directed to the payment page where you transfer the required amount. Once the transfer is confirmed by our team, your booking is active.

Question 13

What payment methods does GidiStay accept?

Accepted Answer

GidiStay currently accepts bank transfers. After confirming your booking, you will receive the GidiStay escrow bank account details. Transfer the exact amount and upload your proof of payment. Our team confirms the transfer and activates your booking.

Question 14

What is escrow and why does GidiStay use it?

Accepted Answer

Escrow means your payment is held by a neutral third party (GidiStay) and only released to the landlord after you successfully check in. This prevents landlords from disappearing with your money and ensures renters actually get what they paid for before funds are released.

Question 15

When does the landlord receive payment?

Accepted Answer

For annual rentals, payment is released to the landlord after check-in is confirmed. For short-term stays, the payout is processed within 24 hours of check-in. The security deposit is held by GidiStay for the duration of the stay and returned after a satisfactory checkout inspection.

Question 16

What is a security deposit?

Accepted Answer

A security deposit (typically equivalent to one month's rent for annual rentals or a fixed amount for short stays) is collected alongside the rental payment. It protects landlords against damage to the property. If there is no damage and you complete checkout properly, the full deposit is refunded to your bank account.

Question 17

Can I cancel a booking?

Accepted Answer

Cancellation policies vary by landlord. The policy is displayed on the property listing before you book. Generally, cancellations made well in advance receive a higher refund proportion. Contact the landlord through GidiStay's messaging system to discuss cancellations.

Question 18

How does checkout work?

Accepted Answer

Before your checkout date, you will receive a reminder to vacate by the agreed time. After you leave, the landlord submits a property inspection report describing the property condition with photos. If the property is in good condition, your deposit refund is automatically initiated.

Question 19

What if the landlord claims there is damage I did not cause?

Accepted Answer

If you disagree with the landlord's inspection report, you can raise a dispute directly in your renter dashboard. Our support team reviews both the landlord's evidence and your counter-statement, then makes a fair decision. Disputed deposits are held securely until the matter is resolved.

Question 20

How long does a deposit refund take?

Accepted Answer

Deposit refunds are initiated within 24 hours of a satisfactory checkout inspection and typically arrive in your bank account within 2–5 business days, depending on your bank.

Question 21

How do I list my property on GidiStay?

Accepted Answer

After creating a landlord account and completing onboarding (business name and bank details), click 'List Property' from your dashboard. Add your property details, photos, pricing, and availability. Our team reviews and approves the listing — typically within 24–48 hours.

Question 22

What fees does GidiStay charge landlords?

Accepted Answer

GidiStay charges a service fee on each completed booking. The exact percentage is shown on your landlord dashboard and on the pricing page. This fee covers escrow management, payment processing, platform maintenance, and customer support.

Question 23

How does GidiStay prevent scams?

Accepted Answer

GidiStay prevents scams through several layers: NIN verification ensures every user has a real, government-verified identity; escrow payments mean no money is sent directly to landlords until check-in is confirmed; GTID Trust Scores give landlords a record of each tenant's behaviour; and our admin team reviews listings, documents, and disputes.

Question 24

Is my personal data safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. GidiStay encrypts all sensitive data (NIN, bank details, identity documents) at rest using AES-256 encryption. We do not sell user data to any third party. You can read the full details in our Privacy Policy.

Question 25

What if I have a dispute with my landlord or tenant?

Accepted Answer

Raise a dispute from your dashboard and our support team will mediate. For checkout-related disputes, the inspector's report and counter-evidence are reviewed by our admin team who makes a binding decision within 5 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions | GidiStay Nigeria