The Lagos State Government has once again made it clear that no landlord or agent has the right to demand more than 10% of annual rent as tenancy agreement or legal fees. The reminder came during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.
Barrister Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, delivered the message plainly: the Lagos Tenancy Law is not ambiguous, and anyone collecting more than the legal 10% is breaking the rules.
She didn’t hold back when speaking about the situation. “We have been overwhelmed by reports of the activities of these unscrupulous elements making life hard for Lagosians with agreements and commissions that is like asking for an arm and a leg,” she said.
Her advice? Don’t stay quiet. Lagosians are being urged to report landlords and agents who make illegal demands. Reports can be submitted directly to the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) through their social media channels: Facebook and Instagram (@lasrera1) and X, formerly Twitter (@lasrera).
Odunuga-Bakare acknowledged that rapid urban growth and population pressures have opened the door for some individuals to exploit people in desperate housing situations. But the state government is pushing back. “We are committed to regulating and sanitising the housing sector to protect Lagosians,” she said.
She also pointed out that many of these unlawful practices are not coming from registered agents. “We’ve met with real estate agent associations, and they’ve assured us that the people doing these things aren’t part of their official bodies,” she added.
The bottom line is simple: if you’re being asked to pay more than 10% for tenancy agreements, it’s illegal. The government is watching, and they want you to speak up.
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