The Lagos State Government has enforced a new policy banning individuals from operating as real estate agents, brokers, or property consultants without formal registration with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA).
The announcement was made by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, who warned that any unregistered practitioner engaging in real estate transactions would be acting in violation of the law. Clients who knowingly transact with such unregistered agents may also face penalties.
As part of the new enforcement drive, the state has introduced a centralized registration and monitoring system, to be managed by LASRERA. This platform will verify the credentials of real estate professionals and serve as a channel for lodging public complaints. The objective is to promote transparency, eliminate fraud, and protect residents from exploitative practices in the real estate market.
“The days of operating informally and evading regulation are over,” the Special Adviser stated. “We are determined to cleanse the real estate sector of sharp practices that make housing unaffordable and unsafe for Lagosians.”
In addition to mandatory registration, the government reaffirmed strict limits on agent commissions and rental terms. Agents are prohibited from charging more than 10% of a property’s value as commission, and landlords are barred from collecting more than one year’s rent in advance, in accordance with the state’s tenancy laws.
The reforms come amid growing public complaints over inflated agency fees, illegal charges, and housing scams, particularly affecting low- and middle-income residents. The state has urged the public to report any breaches of these rules through official channels provided by LASRERA.
With these measures, the Lagos State Government hopes to restore public confidence in the property sector, foster ethical professional conduct, and ensure fair access to housing across the state.
