Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has pledged stronger enforcement of regulations limiting advance rent payments, saying landlords should not demand two or three years’ rent from tenants in Lagos State.

Hamzat made the commitment on Sunday, 8 November 2026, during the Lagos governorship debate organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium, where housing affordability and the rising cost of living featured among the issues discussed by candidates.

Also read:EY Nigeria to host audit committee transformation summit

Addressing concerns about the financial pressure facing tenants, Hamzat said the state government needed to move beyond having regulations on paper and ensure that landlords and estate agents complied with the existing requirements.

He argued that demanding several years’ rent upfront placed an unreasonable burden on workers, whose salaries were generally paid monthly.

“So there is a Lagos State Real Estate Registration Law that was passed last year, and it says tenants should pay one year’s rent. The next chapter is for Lagos to enforce,” Hamzat said.

He added that residents had an important role to play in helping the government identify and address violations.

“Our appeal is to citizens to make sure they use the site and communicate so we can track,” he said.

The APC candidate also explained that the state’s regulatory framework requires estate agents to register with the appropriate government agency and have their details included in an official database.

Hamzat encouraged residents to use the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority’s online platform to report complaints and provide information about questionable practices in the property market.

He said effective enforcement would depend partly on receiving reliable feedback from residents, particularly those directly affected by landlords’ and agents’ activities.

The proposal comes amid longstanding concerns about housing affordability in Lagos, where tenants frequently face substantial financial demands when securing accommodation.

For many residents, the requirement to pay two years’ rent or more in advance can create significant difficulties, particularly for workers and young professionals who depend on regular monthly earnings.

However, the legal position requires an important distinction. Section 4 of the Lagos State Tenancy Law 2011 already prohibits landlords and their agents from demanding or receiving more than one year’s rent in advance from new tenants in areas covered by the legislation.

It also establishes limits for existing tenants, depending on the tenancy arrangement.

Separately, the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority Law was enacted in 2021 to strengthen oversight of estate agency activities.

A proposed tenancy reform introduced in 2025 sought to address additional issues, including advance rent payments and landlord-tenant disputes.

The distinction matters because Hamzat’s reference to a law passed in 2025 should not be confused with the existing tenancy legislation or the separate 2021 regulatory law.

The proposed 2025 tenancy reforms should not be treated as enacted legislation without confirmation of their passage and commencement.

Beyond rent regulation, Hamzat outlined other measures aimed at improving access to affordable accommodation and expanding opportunities for homeownership.

He said the government would prioritise the completion of ongoing housing projects while encouraging greater participation by private developers in communities outside Lagos’s traditional high-income neighbourhoods.

The APC candidate specifically called for a more balanced approach to property development, suggesting that developers building in areas such as Ikoyi and Victoria Island should also consider investments in less affluent communities.

He also highlighted the importance of reducing delays in property regularisation and title documentation, arguing that lengthy administrative processes could contribute to the overall cost of housing.

According to Hamzat, the state had automated aspects of its land documentation processes to make applications easier and reduce bureaucratic delays.

His housing proposals also included expanding mortgage access to help more residents move towards homeownership rather than remaining dependent on the rental market.

The debate, organised by a coalition comprising The PUNCH, Channels Television, TVC News, TheCable and Vanguard, provided an opportunity for governorship candidates to present their positions on issues affecting Lagos residents ahead of the 2027 election.

Hamzat’s remarks have brought renewed attention to the gap between existing tenancy protections and their practical enforcement.

For tenants, the central question will be whether the proposed enforcement drive translates into accessible complaint channels, effective monitoring and meaningful action against violations.

Also read:EY Nigeria to host audit committee transformation summit

Ultimately, the success of the initiative will depend not only on government assurances but also on consistent enforcement, public awareness and a fair approach that recognises the legitimate interests of both landlords and tenants.