The Lagos State Government has urged residents to report landlords and real estate agents who demand more than one year’s rent in advance.
Barakat Bakare, the Special Adviser on Housing to the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), made the call on Thursday during an appearance on YOUR VIEW, a TVC programme.
She assured the public that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration is committed to curbing excesses by landlords, agents, and developers in the state.
“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,” Bakare stated.
She emphasized that any landlord found demanding more than a year’s rent should be reported to LASRERA for investigation and possible sanctions.
Complaints can be lodged either by visiting LASRERA’s office at Block 21, First Floor in Alausa or through its official website.
“If we find the landlord wanting to collect more than one year, they can be reported to the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority,” she reiterated.
Bakare also revealed that the state’s tenancy law is currently undergoing a review to address persistent issues such as caution fees, which have long been a source of conflict between tenants and landlords.
In a bid to encourage fairness and transparency in the housing sector, Bakare said the government is engaging with landlords, property associations, and developers.
“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.
She further noted that the allocation of state-owned housing is based on strict and transparent criteria, designed to ensure fairness and accountability.
Bakare also advised residents to verify the registration status of any agent or developer with LASRERA before entering into any property transaction.
“There is a clear difference between the responsibilities of lawyers and agents in property transactions,” she added.