The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to enforcing the 10% cap on tenancy agreement fees, cautioning landlords and agents against imposing illegal charges on tenants.
The Special Adviser to the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare disclosed this during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.
She emphasised that the Lagos State Tenancy Law clearly stipulates that legal or agreement fees must not exceed 10% of the annual rent.
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Odunuga-Bakare declared that any landlord or agent who demands more is in direct violation of the law.
“We have been overwhelmed by reports of unscrupulous elements making life hard for Lagosians with agreements and commissions that feel like asking for an arm and a leg,” she said.
“We are calling on members of the public not to keep silent but to report such agents and landlords, as the government cannot be everywhere at all times.”
She acknowledged the mounting pressure on the housing sector due to rapid population growth and rural-urban migration, noting that some individuals have exploited this situation to take advantage of vulnerable residents.
Nonetheless, she reaffirmed the state government’s resolve to sanitise the sector and protect the rights of tenants.
Odunuga-Bakare also revealed that the government has been working closely with recognised real estate associations to address the issue.
“We have met with associations of real estate agents, and they have assured us that those engaging in these practices are not registered members,” she said, attributing many of the illegal acts to unregistered individuals operating outside professional oversight.
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According to her, the state government is urging residents to report any demand for tenancy agreement fees exceeding the legal limit via the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) on Facebook and Instagram at lasrera1, and on X.
This public appeal, officials say, is intended to empower residents and support the enforcement of tenancy regulations, ultimately ensuring a fairer and more transparent housing market in the state.
