The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting tenants from exploitative rental practices by emphasizing the legal cap on tenancy agreement fees. According to the state’s tenancy law, landlords and agents are prohibited from charging more than 10% of the annual rent as agreement or legal fees. This announcement was made during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.
Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, highlighted the government’s concern over reports of landlords and agents demanding exorbitant fees, thereby exacerbating the housing challenges faced by residents. She urged tenants to report such violations, stating, “We are calling on members of the public not to keep silent but to report such agents and landlords to us, for the government cannot be everywhere, every time.”
The government has also engaged with associations of real estate agents, who have disassociated themselves from these malpractices, attributing them to unregistered individuals operating outside the purview of established professional bodies.
In a bid to further alleviate the financial burden on tenants, the Lagos State Government is considering the implementation of monthly and quarterly rent payment options. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, the Commissioner for Housing, noted that many residents struggle with annual rent payments and that more flexible payment structures could provide significant relief.
Residents are encouraged to report any instances of landlords or agents demanding tenancy agreement fees exceeding the 10% legal limit to the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA). This initiative aims to foster a more transparent and equitable housing market in Lagos State.