The Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to introduce a new tenancy law aimed at curbing arbitrary rent increases, illegal charges and exploitative practices in the real estate sector.
The State Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, disclosed this during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja.
According to the commissioner, the proposed legislation is currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly and seeks to address growing concerns over excessive rent hikes, arbitrary agency fees and fraudulent activities by unregistered estate agents.
Akinderu-Fatai explained that the bill is presently at the committee stage and is expected to introduce reforms capable of sanitising the housing and real estate sector in Lagos.
One of the major provisions of the proposed law would make registration with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority mandatory for all estate agents operating within the state.
He noted that operating without LASRERA registration would become a punishable offence once the bill is passed into law.
The commissioner stated that the move was designed to tackle the activities of unregistered agents accused of exploiting tenants through excessive charges, fraudulent transactions and multiple sales of properties.
Akinderu-Fatai further revealed that the proposed law would introduce weekend and public holiday sittings for tenancy-related disputes in a bid to accelerate justice delivery.
He added that the law would apply across all parts of Lagos State without exemption.
Under the proposed framework, tenants seeking legal action against landlords would also be required to present evidence of rent payment and updated utility bills before initiating court proceedings.
The commissioner stressed that the Lagos State Government remains committed to restoring transparency, accountability and sanity within the real estate sector.
He disclosed that LASRERA intensified enforcement against fraudulent operators and recovered over N270 million from fake estate agents between 2025 and 2026.
Akinderu-Fatai also reiterated the state government’s position that estate agency fees should not exceed 10 per cent of the total rent payable by tenants.
According to him, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is focused on making housing transactions more transparent, affordable and investor-friendly across Lagos State
