By JOY OYERINDE/LYDIA CHIGOZIE-NGWAKWE

The Lagos State House of Assembly is working on a new tenancy bill to address issues on real estate transactions, including excessive rent increases, illegal charges and activities of unregistered estate agents.

The state Commissioner for Housing, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, disclosed this at the 2026 Lagos State Ministerial Press Briefing to commemorate Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s third year of second term, on Tuesday in Ikeja.

According to the commissioner, the bill currently at the committee stage in the Assembly, is designed to promote transparency, fairness and accountability in the housing sector.

He said that the bill was also aimed to reduce disputes among landlords, tenants and estate agents.

He said that, under the proposed law, all estate agents in Lagos State would be required to register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

He said that estate agents operating without the registration would be committing an offence punishable on conviction.

The official said that the bill was a measure to curb activities of quack and unlicensed estate agents.

He said the bill would also fast-track tenancy related matters and trials through introduction of weekend and public holiday court sittings to ensure speedy resolution of disputes.

According to the commissioner, under the proposed law, tenants intending to initiate legal actions against landlords may be required to provide proofs that they are not owing rent arrears and have up-to-date utility bill payments.

The commissioner stressed that the reforms were part of efforts to strengthen orderliness in the housing sector and improve access to justice for both tenants and landlords.

On the proposed monthly rental scheme policy, Akinderu-Fatai said the government was reviewing modalities for the introduction of monthly and quarterly rent payment options to reduce burden of annual rent payments, particularly for low-income earners.

He said engagement with stakeholders in the real estate sector was ongoing to address challenges, adding that plans were underway to commence a pilot phase of the scheme.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving access to affordable housing and ensuring a more structured and transparent rental system. (NAN)