By Damilola Abiola
The Lagos State Government has dismissed an online report claiming that the state has updated its Tenancy Law, describing the information as false and aimed at deceiving the public.
In a statement released on Friday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, categorically denied the report, labeling it “untrue and fabricated.”
“The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to a fabricated online publication stating that the Lagos State Tenancy Law has been updated to better protect the tenants and regulate the landlord practices,” Odunuga-Bakare said. “For the avoidance of doubt, the Lagos State Government wishes to state unequivocally that the said publication did not emanate from the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA).”
She clarified that the current Tenancy Law of 2015 remains in effect and that any new law is still undergoing the legislative process.
“The Lagos Government is hereby informing members of the Public, particularly Lagosians, that the Tenancy Law of 2015 is still subsisting. However, the bill for a new Tenancy Law is under due consideration at the Lagos State House of Assembly and yet to be passed into Law,” she explained.
Odunuga-Bakare assured residents that the public will be “adequately informed” when any changes to the law are officially enacted.
She also noted that the Ministry of Housing is currently engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Community Development Committees (CDC), Community Development Associations (CDA), and Royal Fathers across the five IBILE divisions.
“These engagements are focused on discussing the culture of monthly payments and establishing a clear understanding of the process of real estate transactions at all levels,” she added.
The government is urging residents to disregard the fake report and rely only on verified information from official sources.