The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to regulating the housing sector by reiterating the legal cap on tenancy agreement fees at 10% of annual rent. This strong message was delivered by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Barrister Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.
Barrister Odunuga-Bakare emphasized that the Lagos State Tenancy Law is clear and binding, warning that any landlord or agent who demands or collects more than 10% of the annual rent as legal or agreement fees is in breach of the law.
“We have received numerous complaints from tenants about the exploitative practices of certain landlords and agents who charge exorbitant fees—fees so outrageous they feel like asking for an arm and a leg. These practices are unacceptable and illegal,” she said. “We urge the public not to remain silent. Report such individuals—government cannot be everywhere, every time.”
The Special Adviser acknowledged the pressures of Lagos’ rapid urbanization, driven by population growth and rural-urban migration, which have strained the housing sector. However, she stressed that these challenges must not be used as an excuse to exploit residents.
To tackle this issue, the state government is working closely with recognized associations of real estate professionals to identify and eliminate unregistered and unregulated agents from the market.
“We have engaged with associations of licensed real estate agents, and they have made it clear that those involved in these exploitative practices are not members of their associations,” she noted.
In a move to enforce compliance and protect the rights of residents, the government is encouraging Lagosians to report cases of overcharging directly to the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) via their social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram at lasrera1, and X (formerly Twitter) @lasrera.
This renewed enforcement drive is part of the broader commitment by the Lagos State Government to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the housing sector.