The government is exploring monthly and quarterly rent payment options to ease the burden on residents struggling to pay annual rent
Lagos Govt. Warns Against Tenancy Agreement Fees Higher Than 10 Percent, Urges Residents to Report Violations
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its stance against the collection of tenancy agreement fees exceeding the legally permitted 10% of annual rent, calling on residents to report defaulting landlords and agents.
Tenancy Law Abuse Under Scrutiny
Speaking at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, expressed concern over ongoing violations of the state’s tenancy law.
“We have been overwhelmed by reports of unscrupulous elements making life hard for Lagosians with agreements and commissions that are like asking for an arm and a leg,” she said.
Odunuga-Bakare emphasized that the maximum legal fee for tenancy agreements remains 10% of the rent and encouraged residents to report violators to the appropriate authorities.
Crackdown on Unregistered Agents
According to the Special Adviser, many of the offenders are unregistered agents who operate outside of professional associations. She noted that the government has engaged with real estate associations, who distanced themselves from such illegal practices.
“They have assured us that the people engaging in these practices are not members of their associations,” she added.
Flexible Rent Options in View
In a related development, Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, revealed that the government is exploring monthly and quarterly rent payment options to ease the burden on residents struggling to pay annual rent.
He said such reforms would offer much-needed financial flexibility in a city grappling with high living costs and rising housing demand. Read More
