The Lagos State Government has disclosed intentions to adopt a new tenancy law to checkmate arbitrary rent increase, unlawful charges and other exploitative activities in the real estate sector.
This was revealed by the State Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, yesterday at the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing, Alausa, Ikeja.
“The proposed law before the Lagos State House of Assembly is to address the growing concern over excessive rent increase, arbitrary agency charges and fraudulent practices by unregistered estate agents operating in the state,” Akinderu-Fatai stated.
“The tenancy bill is now at the committee stage at the House of Assembly and it is expected to bring about great reforms that will sanitise the housing and real estate sector in Lagos.
According to the commissioner, “one of the key provisions of the proposed law would make it mandatory for all estate agents operating in Lagos to register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA).
The measure will make it an infraction to operate without registering when it becomes law, he said.
Akinderu-Fatai said the effort was to check the activities of unregistered agents who were alleged to be exploiting renters through high charges, serial sales of houses and other illegal transactions.
The commissioner further revealed that the proposed law would also fast speed tenancy disputes through the introduction of weekend and public holiday sittings for tenancy matters.
He said the law when passed would become applicable to all sections of Lagos State without any exemption.
He added that tenants who want to take legal action against landlords will also have to present documentation of rent payments and current utility bills before going to court.
Akinderu-Fatai said the state administration was committed to restoring sanity, transparency and accountability in the real estate market and shielding communities from exploitation.
He said LASRERA has stepped up action on fraudulent operators and that the agency recovered over N270 million from fraudulent estate brokers between 2025 and 2026.
The commissioner said the government had always held that estate agency fees in Lagos should not exceed 10 per cent of the total rent payable by renters.
He said the Sanwo-Olu administration was committed to making housing transactions more transparent, affordable and investor-friendly across the state.
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