No License, No Deal: Lagos Enforces Real Estate Registration Law

The Lagos State Government has officially banned individuals from working in real estate—such as agents, brokers, or property consultants—unless they are properly registered with the state’s real estate regulatory authority.

The announcement was made by the Special Adviser on Housing, who emphasized that anyone found operating without a valid registration certificate will be considered to be breaking the law. Even those who hire or engage with unregistered agents could face consequences.

A new registration and monitoring system will now be handled by the state’s real estate authority. This system will ensure all real estate professionals are verified and that complaints from the public are properly addressed. The goal is to protect residents from fraudulent deals and bring more transparency to the housing sector.

In addition, the government reminded agents that they are not allowed to charge more than 10% of the property's value as commission, and collecting more than one year’s rent upfront is illegal. Residents are encouraged to report agents or landlords who violate these rules.

This action comes in response to rising concerns about unfair practices in the real estate market, such as inflated fees and scams targeting home seekers. The new rule aims to make real estate transactions safer, fairer, and more affordable for everyone in Lagos.