In a move to protect renters and bring order to Lagos' housing sector, the state government is urging residents to report landlords or agents who demand more than one year’s rent upfront. The call is part of a broader crackdown on exploitative housing practices.
- Lagos residents can now report landlords collecting more than a year’s rent to LASRERA, the state’s real estate regulatory body.
- The move comes amid efforts to revise tenancy laws and eliminate grey areas, especially regarding caution fees and excessive advance payments.
- The state says landlords are only legally allowed to collect up to one year’s rent at once—quarterly or monthly arrangements are encouraged.
- LASRERA is engaging landlords and property developers to promote fair housing practices while also reminding tenants to verify agent registrations before any transaction.
“Times are hard. We’re not here to make life harder for Lagosians,” said Barakat Bakare, Special Adviser on Housing. Many tenants, already struggling with rising costs, see this as a step toward housing fairness. Still, some fear landlords may push back or find new loopholes
The Sanwo-Olu administration’s review of tenancy laws may lead to stricter enforcement and better protection for tenants. But will landlords cooperate—or will this spark new tensions in Lagos’ already strained housing market?
