Lagos state government has urged residents to report landlords or agents demanding more than one year’s rent.
Gatekeepers News reports that Barakat Bakare, special adviser on housing to Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) made the call while speaking on Thursday on ‘YOUR VIEW’, a TVC programme.
Bakare noted that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led government is working to minimise excesses by landlords, agents, and developers in the state.
She noted that the state’s tenancy law is currently under review to address gaps in the regulation of caution fees, which has become a recurring source of contention between landlords and tenants.
The special adviser asked tenants to file complaints either by visiting LASRERA’s office at Block 21, First Floor, Alausa, or through the agency’s website, so that such cases can be investigated and appropriate penalties enforced.
She said, “The minimum you can collect is one month’s rent. You can collect quarterly, every three months or a year, but nothing more than a year.”
“If we find the landlord wanting to collect more than one year, they can be reported to the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority at Block 21, First Floor in Alausa.”
Bakare noted that the state government is in talks with landlords, property associations, and developers to promote fair pricing and responsible development.
The special adviser added that allocations for state-owned housing are guided by strict and transparent criteria to ensure fairness and accountability.
She urged Lagos residents to verify the registration status of any agent or developer with LASRERA before entering into any property transaction.
Bakare added, “Times are hard. We are not here to make life harder for Lagosians. We are sitting with landlords, looking for a middle ground, and doing everything we can to make housing more humane and accessible.”
“There is a clear difference between the responsibilities of lawyers and agents in property transactions.”
