The Lagos State Government has unveiled plans for a new tenancy law designed to tackle arbitrary rent increases, excessive agency fees, and fraudulent practices within the state’s housing sector.
The announcement was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja.
According to the commissioner, the proposed legislation is currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly and has already reached the committee stage.
The bill is expected to introduce significant reforms aimed at sanitising Lagos’ increasingly controversial real estate sector, where residents have repeatedly complained about exploitative charges, sudden rent hikes, and fraudulent dealings involving unregistered agents.
Akinderu Fatai explained that one of the major provisions of the proposed law would require all estate agents operating in Lagos to register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority, popularly known as LASRERA.
Once the bill becomes law, operating as an estate agent without proper registration would reportedly become a punishable offence.
The commissioner said the government intends to clamp down on unregistered agents accused of exploiting tenants through inflated charges, illegal commissions, multiple sales of the same properties, and other fraudulent practices that have become widespread across the state.
For many Lagos residents, the proposed reforms come at a critical time.
Over the past few years, housing costs in Lagos have risen sharply, with tenants frequently complaining about agency fees, caution fees, legal charges, and sudden rent increases that often push accommodation costs beyond affordability.
The government believes stricter regulation could help restore accountability and reduce exploitation within the property market.
Akinderu Fatai also revealed that the proposed tenancy law would introduce measures to speed up tenancy-related legal disputes.
According to him, the state plans to introduce weekend and public holiday sittings for tenancy matters to reduce delays in dispute resolution between landlords and tenants.
He added that the law, once passed, would apply across all parts of Lagos State without exemptions.
The commissioner further disclosed that tenants seeking legal action against landlords would be required to provide evidence of rent payments and updated utility bills before initiating court proceedings.
He said the move is part of broader efforts to improve transparency and ensure proper documentation during tenancy disputes.
“The state government is determined to restore sanity, transparency, and accountability in the real estate sector while protecting residents from exploitation,” he stated.
Akinderu Fatai also highlighted LASRERA’s ongoing enforcement efforts against fraudulent operators in the housing market.
According to him, the agency recovered more than N270 million from fraudulent estate agents between 2025 and 2026 as part of its crackdown on illegal activities in the sector.
The announcement has already generated reactions among Lagos residents, many of whom have long demanded stricter regulation of the housing market due to rising living costs and increasing reports of exploitation by agents and landlords.
Housing experts say the proposed reforms could significantly reshape the rental landscape in Lagos if effectively implemented, particularly in a city where accommodation demand continues to outpace supply.
However, some observers believe enforcement will ultimately determine whether the law succeeds, especially considering how deeply informal practices are embedded within the state’s real estate system.
As the bill moves through the legislative process, tenants, landlords, and property agents across Lagos will be watching closely to see how the proposed reforms could affect housing transactions and rental agreements in Nigeria’s commercial capital.