NEWS
Lagos Moves to Clamp Down on Arbitrary Rent Hikes, Exploitative Housing Practices
The Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to introduce a new tenancy law aimed at regulating the housing sector, curbing arbitrary rent increases and protecting residents from exploitative practices by landlords and unregistered estate agents.
The proposed legislation, which is currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly, was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja.
According to the commissioner, the bill seeks to tackle rising complaints from residents over excessive rent hikes, illegal agency charges, fraudulent property transactions and the activities of unregistered estate agents operating across Lagos State.
Akinderu-Fatai revealed that the tenancy bill has reached the committee stage at the House of Assembly and is expected to usher in sweeping reforms capable of sanitising the real estate and housing sector in the state.
One of the major highlights of the proposed law is the compulsory registration of all estate agents with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA). The commissioner explained that operating as an estate agent without official registration would become a punishable offence once the bill is signed into law.
He noted that the move was designed to tackle the growing menace of fraudulent agents accused of extorting tenants through outrageous fees, illegal transactions, multiple sales of properties and other sharp practices that have continued to plague the housing sector.
In a bid to ensure speedy resolution of housing-related disputes, the commissioner also disclosed that the proposed law would introduce weekend and public holiday sittings for tenancy matters, a development expected to fast-track justice delivery and reduce delays in the handling of landlord-tenant cases.
Akinderu-Fatai further stated that the new law, when passed, would apply uniformly across all parts of Lagos State without exemption.
The commissioner also explained that tenants intending to institute legal action against landlords would be required to present evidence of rent payments as well as updated utility bills before commencing court proceedings.
The proposed tenancy law is expected to strengthen transparency, accountability and fairness within Lagos’ rapidly expanding housing sector while offering greater protection to tenants and property owners alike.