The Lagos State Government has announced plans to introduce a new tenancy legislation designed to address arbitrary rent increases, illegal charges, and other exploitative activities within the real estate sector.
The Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, made this known during a ministerial press briefing marking the third year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term.
He explained that the proposed tenancy bill, currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly, is aimed at addressing rising complaints about excessive rent hikes, inflated agency fees, and fraudulent activities linked to unregistered estate agents across the state.
According to him, the bill has reached the committee stage and contains wide-ranging reforms intended to clean up Lagos’ housing and property market.
A key provision of the proposed law is the mandatory registration of all estate agents operating in Lagos with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority. Once passed, operating without registration would become an offence punishable under the law.
The government said the move is targeted at curbing the activities of unregistered agents accused of exploiting tenants through inflated charges, duplicate property sales, and other forms of fraud.
The proposed law will also speed up resolution of tenancy disputes by introducing weekend and public holiday sittings for related cases.
It further stipulates that tenants seeking legal redress against landlords must present evidence of rent payment alongside up-to-date utility bills before approaching the court.
Akinderu-Fatai added that the administration remains committed to restoring order, transparency, and accountability in the housing sector while protecting residents from exploitation.
