Lagos State Government to Impose Penalties on Homeowners Overcharging Rent for Their Apartments

The Lagos State Government announced its intention to penalize homeowners who charge excessive rent for their apartments, aiming to curb sharp practices in the housing sector. Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, emphasized the government’s resolve to take decisive action against allottees engaged in such practices, citing complaints from residents about exorbitant rental fees.

Akinderu-Fatai highlighted the government’s objective of making housing more affordable for Lagosians through flexible payment plans, expressing concern that some individuals were exploiting this initiative for personal gain. He urged facility managers and estate association members to report offenders to the ministry, assuring that guilty homeowners would lose their allocations and receive refunds.

Furthermore, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Engineer Abdulhafis Toriola, underscored the need to address security concerns arising from questionable tenants harbored by some homeowners. The State Government reaffirmed its commitment to providing housing solutions through various programs, including outright purchase and rent-to-own platforms, particularly for first-time buyers in need of affordable accommodation.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized the urgency of the ministry’s investigation to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in affected estates. He urged allottees to take responsibility for joint facilities and adhere to established rules to uphold the maintenance of the estates.