The Lagos State Government has unveiled a proposed tenancy reform bill aimed at regulating rent increases, curbing exploitative agency charges and sanitising the real estate sector across the state.
The Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, disclosed the details of the proposed legislation during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja, stating that the bill is currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly for legislative consideration.
According to the commissioner, the proposed law seeks to address growing complaints linked to arbitrary rent hikes, fraudulent housing transactions and excessive fees charged by unregistered estate agents operating within Lagos. Brandspur Brand News reports that the legislation would introduce stricter regulations for real estate operators while strengthening consumer protection for tenants and property owners.
One of the major provisions of the bill would make registration with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority mandatory for all estate agents conducting business in the state. The government said operating without approval from LASRERA would become a punishable offence once the law takes effect.
The state government also plans to introduce faster dispute resolution mechanisms for tenancy-related cases through weekend and public holiday sittings to ease delays in the justice process.
Akinderu-Fatai further explained that tenants intending to institute legal action against landlords would be required to present evidence of rent payments alongside updated utility bills before filing cases in court.
The commissioner revealed that enforcement activities by LASRERA led to the recovery of more than ₦270 million from fraudulent property operators between 2025 and 2026, underscoring the state’s intensified crackdown on illegal real estate activities.
He reiterated that estate agency fees in Lagos should not exceed 10 per cent of the total rent paid by tenants, adding that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to improving transparency, affordability and investor confidence in the housing sector.
