‘Rent Should Not Swallow Your Dignity’: Hamzat Says Lagos Will Enforce One-Year Rent Rule

The Lagos State Government has pledged to enforce the one-year rent provision in its real estate law, moving to end the practice of landlords demanding two or three years’ rent in advance from tenants.

The enforcement pledge was made by the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, during the Lagos governorship debate on Sunday, ValidViewNetwork reports .

THE ENFORCEMENT

Hamzat said the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority law, passed last year, provides that tenants should pay one year’s rent rather than being required to make advance payments covering two or three years .

“The next chapter for Lagos is to enforce to make sure people should not be asked two years, three years ahead because nobody gets salary three years ahead,” he said .

He urged residents to use the LASRERA online platform to report rental disputes and to ensure that estate agents are registered.

He said feedback from residents would help the government monitor compliance and address abuses in the property market .

THE HOUSING PROMISE

Beyond rent enforcement, Hamzat promised to complete ongoing housing projects and reduce the time required to obtain property regularisation and title documents.

He said the state had completed the automation of the process to enable residents to handle applications online, arguing that delays in obtaining title documents add to the cost of housing .

He said his administration would work with private developers to ensure that housing projects were provided across different income categories and not concentrated in affluent areas.

He cited discussions with developers on the possibility of building homes in less affluent communities alongside projects in high-value locations such as Ikoyi and Victoria Island .

“We are building for the rich, we’re also building for the poor,” he said.

Hamzat said his manifesto placed emphasis on what he called “everyday dignity,” arguing that rent should not be so burdensome that it undermines residents’ dignity. He added that the government would work with landlords to address the challenges, while recognising that Lagos operates a capitalist economy.

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THE CONTEXT

The rent crisis in Lagos has reached alarming proportions. Residents spend between 50 and 70 per cent of their income on rent, far above the globally recommended threshold of 30 per cent.

One resident saw his rent for a single room rise from N800,000 to N1,500,000 in a single year; when he could not afford it, his landlord told him to move out .

The Tenancy Law of Lagos State 2011 already states that a landlord or agent cannot demand or receive from a new or prospective tenant rent exceeding one year.

Anyone found receiving or paying rent above these limits is liable to a fine of N100,000 or three months’ imprisonment.

However, enforcement has been weak, and many landlords continue to demand two or three years’ rent upfront .

WHY IT MATTERS

The one-year rent rule is not new. It has been on the books for years. What is new is the promise to enforce it.

If Hamzat keeps his word, it could transform the rental market in Lagos. Tenants who currently pay two or three years’ rent upfront would be able to spread their payments, reducing the financial burden on households and making housing more accessible for young professionals and low-income families.

But enforcement is the challenge. The law has existed for over a decade without being effectively applied.

Whether the government can translate this pledge into action, and whether landlords will comply, remains to be seen.

For now, the promise has been made. The law is on the books. And Lagos tenants are waiting to see if their next rent demand will be for one year or three. ValidViewNetwork reports.