Lagos to enforce one-year rent rule - Obafemi Hamzat

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat says the state government has finalized plans to enforce the one-year rent payment provision in its real estate law to prevent landlords from demanding two or three years rent in advance.

Hamzat, who is also the All Progressives Congress Party’s governorship candidate, said the provision was contained in the Lagos State Real Estate Registration Agency law passed in 2025, adding that the government’s next priority was to ensure compliance.

He disclosed this during a governorship debate organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium in Lagos on Sunday, November 9.

While discussing the housing deficit in Lagos and the high rent in the state, Hamzat said the next phase is for Lagos to enforce the laws that restrict landlords in the state from demanding rents more than one year. 

“So the next chapter for Lagos is to enforce, to make sure. So people should not be asked 2 years, 3 years ahead because nobody gets salary three years ahead''

The governorship hopeful also said the law requires real estate agents to register with the state and be listed on an official database.

He urged residents to use the Lagos State Real Estate Registration Agency’s online platform to report issues and help the government monitor sector activities.

“So our appeal to the citizens is in terms of communication, to make sure that people use that site, because that is the only way we can track. Because this, when these things happen, government must also have the feedback,” he said