The Lagos State Government has denied a viral claim circulating on social media that a new tenancy law has been enacted to cap rent advances and impose new regulations on landlords.
The false report, which surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, May 23, alleged that a new law limits advance rent payments to three months for existing tenants, restricts rent increases and tenancy terminations, and introduces penalties of up to ₦100,000 or three months in jail.
However, Barakat Bakare, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Housing, debunked the report in an official statement on Saturday, May 24. She clarified that no such amendment has been passed and that the current tenancy law, enacted in 2015, remains in effect.
Bakare noted that while a new tenancy bill is under consideration by the Lagos State House of Assembly, it has not yet been enacted into law. She also stated that the Ministry of Housing is engaging with stakeholders on real estate practices, including discussions around transitioning to monthly rent payments.
“The culture of monthly payment and better understanding of real estate transactions at all levels are being discussed,” the statement said. Bakare assured residents that any legal changes would be formally announced through official government channels.
The misinformation comes amid a worsening housing crisis in Lagos, where high rents, landlord abuses, and forced evictions persist against a backdrop of rapid urbanization and a growing housing deficit. In response, the Lagos State House of Assembly has called for stronger measures to curb excessive rent increases.
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