The Lagos State Government has once again emphasized its firm stance against the collection of excessive tenancy agreement fees, reminding landlords and agents that the legally approved maximum remains 10% of the annual rent.
This position was made clear by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Barrister Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
Barr. Odunuga-Bakare noted that the Lagos State Tenancy Law clearly states that landlords or agents must not demand more than 10% of the annual rent as agreement or legal fees. Any demand exceeding this limit, she said, is a violation of the law.
“We’ve received a disturbing number of complaints from residents about exploitative practices by some landlords and agents,” she said. “Many of these fees are outrageous and unaffordable. We want Lagosians to know that they have the right to say no to such charges and to report these illegalities.”
She acknowledged that Lagos, as a rapidly growing city facing significant rural-to-urban migration, is dealing with serious housing challenges. Unfortunately, she added, some unscrupulous individuals are taking advantage of the situation to exploit vulnerable residents.
Despite these challenges, Barr. Odunuga-Bakare assured the public of the State Government’s unwavering commitment to cleaning up the real estate sector. She said proactive steps are being taken to ensure that Lagosians are protected from housing-related fraud and unfair practices.
She also mentioned that the government has been working closely with registered associations of real estate agents. According to her, these associations have distanced themselves from such illegal practices. “They’ve made it clear that those involved in these violations are mostly unregistered agents who are not affiliated with any professional body,” she noted.
Residents who are subjected to illegal tenancy charges are urged to report such cases to the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) through its official social media handles:
Facebook and Instagram: lasrera1
X (formerly Twitter): @lasrera
The State Government encourages all residents to take advantage of these channels to ensure effective enforcement of the Tenancy Law and to promote fairness and transparency in the housing sector.
