Lagos Insists Tenancy Agreement, Commission Fees Remain 10% of Annual Rent

The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Housing, Ms Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, while speaking at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, warned against the imposition of excessive tenancy agreement fees on house hunters.

She underscored the clarity and unambiguous nature of the Lagos State Tenancy Law, stating unequivocally that any landlord or agent found demanding or collecting more than 10 per cent of the annual rent as agreement or legal fees is in direct violation of the state’s tenancy regulations.

Expressing concern over reports of unscrupulous practices, the Governor’s aide said, “We have been overwhelmed by reports of the activities of these unscrupulous elements making life hard for Lagosians with agreements and commissions that are like asking for an arm and a leg.

“We are calling on members of the public not to keep silent but to report such agents and landlords to us for the government cannot be everywhere, every time.”

Acknowledging the significant challenges posed by the nation’s burgeoning population and increasing rural-urban migration on the state’s housing sector, Ms Odunuga-Bakare recognised that this situation has unfortunately created opportunities for some individuals to exploit vulnerable residents.

However, she firmly asserted the state government’s unwavering commitment to regulating and sanitising the housing sector to protect the interests of Lagosians.

Furthermore, the Special Adviser highlighted the collaborative efforts between the government and recognised associations of real estate agents.

“We have met with associations of real estate agents, and they have assured us that the people who are engaging in such practices are not registered agents that identify with their associations,” she noted.

The legal practitioner suggested that these illegal activities are often perpetrated by unregistered individuals operating outside the purview of established professional bodies.

She called on all residents who encounter demands for tenancy agreement fees exceeding the legally mandated 10 per cent to report such incidents through the Lagos State Real Estate Regulating Authority (LASRERA) on Facebook, Instagram: lasrera 1 and X (formerly Twitter) @lasrera, noting that this call to action aims to empower citizens and ensure the effective enforcement of the tenancy law, thereby fostering a fairer and more transparent housing market in Lagos State.