The Lagos State Government says it has recovered over N277 million from fraudulent real estate transactions while expanding its housing stock to 10,623 units as part of efforts to tackle the state’s housing deficit and sanitise the property sector.

Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, disclosed this during the annual ministerial press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.

According to the commissioner, the recovered funds were secured through stronger regulatory enforcement and intervention by the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA).

Akinderu-Fatai said the government’s housing interventions were taking place amid worsening global and national housing challenges.

He cited UN-Habitat statistics showing that nearly 3.4 billion people worldwide lack access to secure and adequate housing, while Nigeria’s housing deficit currently stands at about 14.9 million units.

He added that Lagos alone accounts for over 3.3 million housing deficit due to rapid urbanisation and population growth.

The commissioner explained that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had adopted a combination of direct housing construction and Public-Private Partnership arrangements to bridge the gap.

According to him, the state’s housing stock increased to 10,623 units over the past seven years, with 4,414 units delivered through government funding and 6,209 units completed through PPP collaborations.

He listed recently completed projects to include the 420-unit Akinsanya Sunny Ajose Estate Phase I and the 233-unit Abraham Adesanya Housing Estate, bringing the total number of completed estates under the current administration to 23 since 2019.

Akinderu-Fatai also disclosed that five additional housing projects located in Egan-Igando, Sangotedo, Ibeshe, Itamarun in Epe and Ipaja are expected to be completed in 2026.

On housing regulation, the commissioner revealed that LASRERA received 505 petitions between 2025 and 2026 over fraudulent real estate transactions and tenancy disputes.

He said the agency successfully resolved 39 cases and recovered N270,020,500 from fraudulent property operators within the period.

The commissioner added that enforcement against illegal estate agents had intensified, particularly regarding the state’s directive that agency fees must not exceed 10 per cent of annual rent.

He further disclosed that a new tenancy bill currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly seeks to strengthen rental regulations, mandate compulsory registration for estate agents and fast-track tenancy dispute resolution.

Akinderu-Fatai said the government was also finalising plans for the pilot phase of a monthly rental payment scheme designed to reduce the burden of annual rent payments on low-income earners.

Speaking on employment generation, he said housing projects across the state created 4,793 direct and indirect jobs in the last year, while estate facility management operations generated an additional 888 jobs.

The commissioner further noted that 100 beneficiaries exited the Rent-To-Own scheme in August 2024 after completing repayments, while another 110 beneficiaries exited in July 2025.

He said rehabilitation works were ongoing across 52 government housing estates, including repairs to flood-damaged structures and electrical facilities.

Akinderu-Fatai, however, acknowledged persistent challenges facing the housing sector, including land encroachment, litigation and inflationary pressures, but assured residents that the state government remained committed to improving housing delivery and strengthening partnerships with private developers.

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Tenants in Lagos are paying nearly double their rent as agency and legal fees continue to exceed the limits set by the Lagos State Tenancy Law, despite repeated government warnings.

The law, enacted in 2011, caps both agency and legal fees at 10% of the annual rent. However, violations remain widespread, particularly in areas dominated by informal agents operating outside professional oversight.

In 2025, the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) restated that any charge above the 10% threshold is illegal, warning agents and landlords to comply. Yet, many renters continue to bear inflated costs.

For example, Stainless Precious, a tenant in Ikorodu, paid ₦400,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and another ₦400,000 in additional charges, including ₦150,000 each for agency and legal fees. Similarly, Daniel Iwuoha in Maya, Ikorodu, paid ₦240,000 total for an apartment with a base rent of ₦150,000. Both dealt with unregistered agents.

While informal agents dominate most parts of the city, high-end neighborhoods like Victoria Island and Lekki show better compliance. Licensed estate firms there typically adhere to the 10% ceiling, backed by professional standards and regulatory oversight.

Bukola Ekunola, an accredited estate valuer, said his firm strictly applies the 10% cap as required by law. “Transactions in premium areas are more structured because professionals are involved,” he explained.

Experts blame the persistent breaches on weak enforcement, limited housing supply, and the prevalence of unregistered agents. Real estate analyst Olabisi Odusanya said, “Fee caps won’t work unless housing supply improves and agency operations are properly formalized.”

The Lagos State Government, through LASRERA, has made agent registration mandatory since June 2025 to curb fraud and promote accountability. The agency continues to work with professional bodies like the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) to ensure compliance though enforcement remains a challenge in the city’s vast informal property market.

By: Caleb Obiowo

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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.

The Lagos State Government has introduced sweeping changes to its tenancy law, tightening regulations on rental agreements and offering greater protection to tenants across the state.

The revised law, which came into effect this week, places clear limits on rental demands. Landlords are now prohibited from collecting more than three months’ rent in advance from existing tenants, while tenants themselves are barred from offering more than that amount upfront.

In addition, landlords must provide tenants with official receipts for all rent payments. Failure to do so could result in a fine of ₦10,000. The law also caps tenancy agreement fees at 10 percent of annual rent, warning that any landlord or agent who charges above this threshold will be deemed to have violated the law.

A senior official at the Lagos State Ministry of Justice explained that the update is designed to “create a balanced rental framework that discourages exploitation and protects the rights of tenants.”

He added, “For too long, the rental market in Lagos has been tilted in favour of landlords. These provisions are meant to restore fairness while ensuring that landlords still receive what is due to them.”

The state government noted that enforcement mechanisms are being put in place to monitor compliance, with penalties awaiting defaulters. Authorities also encouraged tenants to report any cases of overcharging or refusal to issue receipts.

By aligning with its broader housing policy, Lagos State hopes the revised law will ease the burden of rent for residents while discouraging sharp practices in the real estate sector.

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The Lagos Tenancy Bill, which recently scaled second reading at the Lagos State House of Assembly, seeks to establish clearer rights, responsibilities, and procedures governing rental agreements, eviction processes, and tenancy obligations. Once it passes a third reading, the bill will proceed to the governor’s desk for assent, paving the way for a new legal framework in housing management across the state.

Titled “A Bill for a Law to Regulate the Relationship Between Landlords and Tenants in Lagos State,” the proposed law aims to promote transparency, fairness, and accountability in the rental market—an area long characterized by disputes, rent hikes, and unstable agreements.

With more than 70% of Lagos’ over 20 million residents living in rented accommodation, the city is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most active rental markets. However, this high demand has often translated into exploitative practices, with tenants facing frequent rent increases and limited protection under existing laws.

Lawmakers backing the bill say it responds to growing concerns over the cost of housing and the friction it causes. Sa’ad Olumoh, who represents Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency I, noted that the legislation is a timely response to the imbalance in the rental ecosystem. “We expect this bill to promote harmony by introducing flexible rent structures, such as monthly and annual options, as well as standardized eviction protocols,” he said during the House deliberation.

Among the key features of the bill are clearer terms of tenancy agreements, delineated roles for landlords and agents, and streamlined procedures for resolving disputes and recovering premises. Lawmakers believe the reform will create a more stable and investor-friendly property market.

As the bill advances, residents and property stakeholders alike are watching closely, hopeful that the final version of the law will provide much-needed clarity, reduce tension, and ensure greater equity in Lagos’ housing sector.

The post Lagos Moves to Reform Tenancy Law to Ease Rental Tensions and Stabilize Housing Market appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

In a statement released on Friday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, clarified that no official changes have been made to the Lagos State Tenancy Law, and the claims did not originate from any authorized state agency.

“The Lagos State Government’s attention has been drawn to a misleading online post alleging that the state has updated the Tenancy Law to enhance tenant protection and regulate landlord behavior,” Odunuga-Bakare stated. “For clarity, this publication is entirely unfounded and did not come from the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority.”

She affirmed that the Tenancy Law of 2015 remains in force and that any proposed amendments are still under legislative consideration.

“A new tenancy bill is currently being reviewed by the Lagos State House of Assembly and has not yet been enacted,” she said.

Odunuga-Bakare further explained that the Ministry of Housing is conducting stakeholder consultations on the proposed changes. These discussions involve legal practitioners, community leaders, the Nigerian Bar Association, and traditional rulers across the five IBILE divisions of the state.

She noted that the talks include matters such as promoting monthly rental payments and improving transparency in property transactions.

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