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

The post Lagos Govt Proposes New Law to Control Rent and Estate Agency Fees appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Lagos State’s proposed Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill 2025 has introduced major reforms that could reshape how landlords, tenants, and real estate agents operate in the state’s rental market.

The Bill, currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly, aims to modernise rental regulation, curb exploitative practices, and reduce long-standing disputes in Africa’s most active property market.

Lagos’ growing population and rapid urbanisation have intensified pressure on its rental system, exposing gaps in existing laws—especially in areas such as advance rent, unregulated agency fees, and prolonged eviction battles.

Key Highlights of the Lagos Tenancy Bill 2025

1. Agency Fees Capped at 5% and Mandatory LASRERA Registration

The Bill proposes stricter oversight of estate agents, mandating that all practitioners register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA).

Agency fees are capped at 5% of annual rent.

Agents must remit funds collected on behalf of landlords within seven working days.

Agents must issue proper receipts for all transactions.

Violations attract penalties of up to ₦1 million, two years imprisonment, or both—measures targeted at eliminating double-renting scams, inflated commissions, and fraud involving unregistered agents.

2. Advance Rent Limited to One Year

To address rising complaints about excessive upfront payments:

New tenants cannot be charged more than one year’s rent in advance.

Sitting tenants paying monthly cannot be compelled to pay more than three months in advance.

Offering or accepting payments above these limits becomes an offence punishable by a ₦1 million fine or three months imprisonment.

For many renters, this is one of the most transformative proposals, potentially reducing financial pressure that has forced families into debt or homelessness.

3. Tenants Can Challenge Unfair Rent Increases

While the Bill does not fix rent prices, it grants tenants the right to challenge unreasonable rent hikes in court.

Courts may consider special circumstances such as property upgrades or market conditions before determining if a rent increase is justified.

Landlords are barred from evicting tenants while such disputes are ongoing—a critical protection in a city where sudden increases of 50–200% are common.

4. Faster and More Transparent Eviction Processes

The Bill introduces structured eviction procedures aimed at reducing prolonged disputes and improving trust between landlords and tenants.

Why the Bill Matters

With Lagos hosting one of Africa’s priciest and most chaotic rental markets, stakeholders say these reforms could reduce exploitation, strengthen regulation, and provide long-awaited legal protection for millions of tenants.

However, analysts warn that enforcement remains key, especially given high demand for housing and limited supply.

The post Lagos Tenancy Bill 2025: Fresh Provisions Emerge for Landlords, Agents and Tenants appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to introduce clear policy guidelines to address the rising cost of house rent across major cities, especially Abuja.

NIQS President, QS Kene C. Nzekwe, made the appeal at a press conference held in Abuja as part of activities marking the 31st Biennial General Meeting and National Conference of the Institute.

Nzekwe said the persistent surge in rental prices is worsening the housing affordability crisis, stressing that only the government has the authority to set a policy direction that will protect citizens from exploitative rental demands.

“It is unacceptable for anyone to demand five million naira for a two-bedroom apartment in Abuja,” he said. “We are calling on policymakers and legislators to enact laws that regulate rent demands and ensure fairness in the housing market.”

The NIQS President also encouraged industry players across the construction and built environment sectors to embrace digital technologies and adopt standardised practices to enhance transparency and operational efficiency. According to him, such improvements will strengthen professionalism and attract more private sector investment into the housing and construction industries.

Speaking on professional ethics, Nzekwe warned against quackery and the growing trend of individuals taking on roles outside their areas of competence. He said the Institute will sanction members involved in unqualified practices, adding that improper handling of construction cost management poses significant risks to project delivery and public safety.

He appealed to the media to support the Institute’s efforts in curbing professional encroachment and promoting the value of properly trained construction professionals.

The post Quantity Surveyors Urge FG, NASS to Regulate Soaring House Rents in Major Cities appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Lagos State government has introduced several measures to protect renters, including the Tenancy Law of 2011, which limits agency and legal fees to 10% of annual rent. It also launched LagosHOMS for affordable housing and set up LASRERA to regulate agents and curb fraud.

Persistent Violations

Despite these efforts, many agents ignore the law, forcing tenants to pay almost double the rent. Analysts blame weak enforcement and a housing deficit that worsens affordability for residents.

Renters’ Ordeals

Chidi Samuel, a single mother in Egbe, paid ₦650,000 for a ₦350,000 apartment after agents added ₦300,000 in fees. Kingsley Chinwendu faced similar exploitation—asked to pay ₦750,000 extra for a ₦3.5 million flat.

If the law were followed, both would have paid far less. Yet, in Lagos’s unregulated rental market, tenants remain the biggest victims.

By: Chuka Uroko

The post Renters Groan as Lagos Agents Defy Tenancy Laws appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

In a decisive move to rein in the activities of property agents and curb arbitrary rent increases, the Abia State House of Assembly has advanced two landmark bills aimed at reforming the state’s housing sector.

The legislative action includes the first reading of a bill sponsored by Hon. Egwuronu Mandela Obasi (Ohafia North), and the second reading of another sponsored by Deputy Speaker Austin Okezie Meregini (Umuahia East). Both bills seek to introduce greater oversight and consumer protection for tenants across the state.

If passed into law, the proposed legislation will mandate compulsory registration of all property agents with the Ministry of Housing. It will also criminalize the widespread practice of collecting rent from multiple tenants for the same property.

A key provision of the bill pegs the maximum agent’s fee at 5% of the rent, while also capping rent advances at six months, a move designed to ease financial pressure on tenants. Landlords will be prohibited from demanding, and tenants from paying, more than six months’ rent upfront.

The legislation also aims to tackle exploitative practices in the rental market, including hidden or excessive charges. It provides a legal framework to challenge such actions, classifying them as violations once the bill is enacted.

To further streamline the process of property recovery, the bill mandates that tenants must present proof of rent and utility payments when initiating or responding to tenancy-related litigation. Importantly, it also shields tenants from eviction while contesting rent hikes in court.

In a related development, the House passed into second reading H.A.B. 34 of 2025, also sponsored by Deputy Speaker Meregini, which complements the earlier bill by specifically targeting arbitrary rent increases and reinforcing protections for both tenants and landlords.

Commenting on the twin legislative efforts, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emereuwa, emphasized that the bills represent a proactive step towards bringing order, fairness, and accountability to the housing sector in Abia State.

“These bills are about doing the right thing, ensuring that both landlords and tenants are treated fairly, and that property transactions are conducted transparently,” he said.

The proposed reforms have been welcomed by housing advocates and tenant groups, who have long called for tighter regulation of the property market in the state.

The post Abia Lawmakers Push for Stronger Tenant Protections, Rent Regulation appeared first on Housing TV Africa.