A Nigerian tenant, known as Mr Bachelor on social media, has been left shaken after discovering that a body had been buried beneath his living room floor. The landlord's family arrived unannounced to exhume the body, telling Mr Bachelor that they planned to move it to a different location and repair the floor. The deceased was the landlord's own father, and Mr Bachelor had no knowledge of the burial until the family arrived.
Mr Bachelor had rented the property as a brand new house, and he was the first person to ever live there. He had been living in the house for over a year without any inkling that anything unusual lay beneath the floor. The situation became even more unsettling for Mr Bachelor as he had just renewed his rent the previous month. He is now torn between staying and relocating entirely at his own cost.
The landlord's family assured Mr Bachelor that they would repair the sitting room once the coffin was removed. However, Mr Bachelor expressed little hope of receiving any form of compensation. He stated that he couldn't even think of compensation because the landlord's family claimed they were not responsible for his relocation costs if he chose to move.
Mr Bachelor shared his ordeal online, and his post drew strong reactions from other users. Some advised him to try to get some of his rent back, have the landlord compensate him for mental distress, and cover relocation costs. Others shared their own unsettling rental experiences, highlighting the need for tenants to be aware of their living conditions.
One user, Sir Sean, noted that it was a common practice in some places in Nigeria, but by law, the landlord ought to have let Mr Bachelor know before renting out the place. He advised Mr Bachelor to consider suing the landlord, despite the challenges of Nigeria's judicial system. Another user, Temitayo, advised Mr Bachelor not to let the landlord's family dig up his living room without proper consideration.
Mr Bachelor confirmed that the coffin had been successfully exhumed and moved elsewhere. He emphasized that he was still confused about what to do next. His experience has raised concerns about the need for greater transparency between landlords and tenants, particularly in cases where properties may have unusual histories.
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about tenant rights and the responsibilities of landlords. As Mr Bachelor navigates his next steps, he is not alone in his concerns. Many are calling for greater accountability and awareness in the rental market to prevent similar situations in the future.
Key points
- The tenant had no knowledge of the burial until the landlord's family arrived to exhume the body.
- The landlord's family assured Mr Bachelor that they would repair the sitting room once the coffin was removed.
- Mr Bachelor expressed little hope of receiving any form of compensation from the landlord's family.
