The Oyo State Government has commenced formal consultations aimed at regulating the activities of estate agents in the state, as part of efforts to curb rising cases of rent and commission extortion and restore sanity to the housing sector.
The move was unveiled on Wednesday during a stakeholder engagement between the state government and the leadership of the Oyo State Estate Rent and Commission Agents Association, held at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in Ibadan.
Speaking while hosting the delegation, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Akin-Funmilayo Williams, said the engagement marked a deliberate step by the government to protect tenants while ensuring professionalism among practitioners in the real estate sector.
Williams noted that although government does not have the power to dictate the amount property owners charge as rent, the activities of estate agents, particularly as they relate to commissions and other fees, can be regulated through legislation.
According to him, the meeting was convened to allow both parties to exchange views and work towards a practical and sustainable solution to growing public complaints.
He disclosed that the ministry had come under public pressure following reports and complaints which featured his photograph alongside claims of exorbitant house rents and calls for government intervention.
The commissioner also revealed that the Oyo State House of Assembly, during its sitting on Monday, deliberated on the issue and expressed readiness to enact a law to regulate the operations of estate agents across the state.
Williams said he considered it important to engage stakeholders ahead of any legislative action, stressing that such consultation would help the House of Assembly make informed decisions.
“I felt it was necessary to sit with practitioners and develop a position that can be presented to the House of Assembly. That way, any law that eventually comes out will not be done in isolation, but will reflect the realities of the sector and the input of those directly involved,” he said.
He charged the association to articulate a clear and unified position on rent-related charges and agents’ commissions, which would be forwarded to the House of Assembly to guide further engagement and legislative deliberations.
Williams emphasized that it would be inappropriate for the ministry to arbitrarily fix commission percentages, noting that guidance should come from practitioners who understand the dynamics of the business.
“Our role is to review your inputs, form opinions and make recommendations. Some of these may eventually be adopted and incorporated into a law that will be binding on everyone,” he stated.
He added that effective enforcement could only take place when there is an enabling law, stressing that without a legal framework, government agencies lack the authority to sanction offenders.
In his response, the Chairman of the Oyo State Estate Rent and Commission Agents Association, Mr. Okekunle Mutahir, commended the state government for what he described as supportive and forward-looking policies.
He noted that improved security across the state has encouraged migration and settlement, leading to increased demand for housing and expanded activities within the real estate sector.
Okekunle acknowledged public concerns over rent-related charges, stating that the association has been engaging the issues internally for over a year.
He identified inspection fees as a major avenue through which some unscrupulous individuals exploit members of the public, revealing that the association abolished such fees in early January last year.
According to him, the leadership has continued efforts to sanitise the profession and ensure ethical conduct among members.
He appealed to the state government to support the association in flushing out bad eggs, saying stronger collaboration would help protect residents and enhance professionalism within the sector.
Westernmirror.com.ng reports that the engagement is expected to serve as a foundation for a proposed regulatory framework that balances the interests of tenants, property owners and estate practitioners in Oyo State.