Segun Atanda/
The Lagos State Government has unveiled a new tenancy bill designed to curb arbitrary rent increases, excessive agency fees and other exploitative practices in the state’s real estate sector.
Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, disclosed this during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja, saying the proposed legislation is currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly.
According to the commissioner, the bill seeks to address growing concerns over indiscriminate rent hikes, fraudulent activities by unregistered estate agents and arbitrary charges imposed on tenants.
Akinderu-Fatai said the proposed law, which is presently at the committee stage in the House of Assembly, would introduce far-reaching reforms aimed at sanitising the housing and real estate sector across Lagos.
A major provision of the bill, he explained, would make registration with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) compulsory for all estate agents operating within the state.
He noted that any estate agent found operating without LASRERA registration would be committing an offence punishable under the law once enacted.
The commissioner said the move was intended to tackle the activities of unscrupulous and unregistered agents allegedly involved in excessive charges, multiple property sales and other fraudulent transactions that have left many residents vulnerable.
He further disclosed that the proposed law would introduce measures to expedite the resolution of tenancy-related disputes through weekend and public holiday sittings for tenancy matters.
Akinderu-Fatai added that the legislation would apply uniformly across Lagos State without any exemption.
Under the proposed law, tenants seeking legal redress against landlords would be required to present evidence of rent payments and updated utility bills before commencing court proceedings.
The commissioner said the state government remained committed to restoring transparency, accountability and sanity to the real estate sector while protecting residents from exploitation.
He revealed that LASRERA had intensified enforcement efforts against fraudulent operators, leading to the recovery of more than N270 million from fraudulent estate agents between 2025 and 2026.
Akinderu-Fatai also reiterated the government’s position that estate agency fees in Lagos should not exceed 10 per cent of the total rent payable by tenants.
He assured residents that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would continue to implement policies aimed at making housing transactions more transparent, affordable and attractive to investors.
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