Lagos government asks residents to report landlords demanding more than a year’s rent

The Lagos State Government has called on residents to report any landlords or agents who demand more than one year’s rent, as part of its broader effort to rein in real estate excesses in the state.

 Barakat Bakare, Special Adviser on Housing to the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), made the appeal on Thursday during an appearance on the TVC programme Your View, where she reiterated the government’s commitment to regulating the property market and making housing more accessible.

Bakare said the Sanwo-Olu administration is actively reviewing the state’s tenancy law to close regulatory loopholes, particularly around caution fees, which she described as a recurring point of friction between landlords and tenants. She urged Lagosians to either visit the LASRERA office physically or use the agency’s website to file complaints against landlords who violate the law. According to her, “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.” She added, “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.”

The special adviser said ongoing discussions are being held with landlords, developers, and property associations aimed at promoting fair pricing and responsible housing practices. She explained that allocations for state-owned housing are based on strict and transparent criteria designed to ensure equity and accountability. Bakare also advised prospective tenants to verify the registration status of any real estate agent or developer with LASRERA before engaging in transactions.

“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,” she said. Highlighting the need for clarity in property dealings, she pointed out that there is a distinct difference between the responsibilities of lawyers and agents in property transactions.