The Lagos State House of Assembly is advancing a new tenancy bill aimed at tackling excessive rent hikes, illegal fees, and the activities of unregistered estate agents across the state.
The proposed legislation is currently under review at the committee stage, according to Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, who spoke during the 2026 ministerial press briefing in Ikeja.
The briefing formed part of activities marking the third year of the second term of Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Akinderu-Fatai explained that the bill seeks to promote transparency, fairness, and accountability within Lagos’ real estate sector while reducing frequent disputes between landlords, tenants, and property agents.
A key provision of the bill mandates that all estate agents operating in Lagos must register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority.
Failure to comply with this requirement would constitute a punishable offence under the proposed law, targeting the widespread issue of unlicensed practitioners in the property market.
The commissioner noted that the legislation is designed to eliminate exploitative practices and restore confidence in real estate transactions across the state.
To improve access to justice, the bill also proposes accelerated handling of tenancy disputes through extended court sittings, including weekends and public holidays.
In addition, tenants seeking legal action against landlords may be required to show evidence of rent payments and up-to-date utility bills before initiating proceedings.
Officials say this measure is intended to ensure fairness and discourage frivolous claims.
Akinderu-Fatai further revealed that the state government is considering new rent payment structures, including monthly and quarterly options, to ease the financial burden of annual rent—particularly for low-income residents.
He added that consultations with industry stakeholders are ongoing, with plans to pilot the new rental framework once implementation challenges are addressed.
The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving housing affordability and building a more structured, transparent rental system in Lagos.
