The Lagos State Government has warned major real estate players to stop collecting caution fees, inspection fees, and other extra charges that are not backed by law.
The warning was given on Wednesday during a meeting with leaders of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, and the Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria.
The meeting, which took place at the Ministry of Housing in Alausa, Ikeja, was led by the Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, and the Special Adviser to the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare.
They spoke about the growing concern over the rising cost of rent and the pressure it puts on families in Lagos.
The state government said some agents were in the habit of demanding money for things like inspections and caution fees, which are not officially allowed.
They said this behaviour makes it harder for people to secure housing and can damage the trust people have in estate agents and landlords.
The government said it wants a cleaner real estate sector where fees are fair and follow the law.
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Officials also said that only legal charges should be collected, and reminded agents that the Lagos Tenancy Law and other housing laws are still in place and must be obeyed.
At the meeting, the government also encouraged the idea of tenants paying rent monthly or quarterly instead of yearly, to make housing more accessible.
They said rent is already a challenge for many families, and unfair charges only make things worse.
The real estate groups that attended the meeting agreed to work with the state and promised to support efforts to clean up the sector.
They said they would also help raise awareness among agents and landlords to follow the right practices.
