The Lagos government has warned real estate agents and landlords against collecting tenancy agreement fees higher than the legally stipulated 10 per cent of yearly rent from prospective tenants.

Special adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, gave the warning during a press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

Ms Odunuga-Bakare, who stated that the act violates the state’s tenancy law, which caps tenancy agreement fees at 10 per cent, urged residents to report such instances to the state government.

Mrs Odunuga-Bakare 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.”

She stated that the state government has met with associations of real estate agents to address the excessive imposition, reminding them that the stipulated minimum remains 10 per cent of the annual rent.

Ms Odunuga-Bakare explained that the agents “have assured us that the people who are engaging in such practices are not registered agents that identify with their associations”.

“These illegal activities are often perpetrated by unregistered individuals operating outside the purview of established professional bodies,” said Mr Sanwo-Olu’s aide.

This warning followed housing commissioner Moruf Akinderu-Fatai’s disclosure that the Lagos government would soon implement the monthly and quarterly rent options for residents.