The Lagos State Government has enjoined the residents of the State seeking accommodation to engage only the services of Registered Estate / Developer Agents in the State.
The Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Housing, Mr. Wasiu Adedamola Akewusola, gave the advice at Alapere, Ketu area of Lagos where a fraudulent property developer collected money from over 262 different prospective home seekers for only 15 units of studio rooms.
He decried the present rate of fraudulent acts of illegal Estate Agents /Developers depriving people of their hard-earned money through dubious activities, stressing that home seekers should desist from patronising quacks and criminals when scouting for accommodation and houses to buy.
In his words, “Lagos State government is greatly concerned about the rise in the criminal and callous activities of some dubious estate agents who lure unwary individuals to purchase non-existent parcels of land or rent one flat out to hundreds of tenants”.
Akewusola disclosed that it is the responsibility of Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD), a directorate under the State Ministry of Housing, to register, monitor and regulate activities of genuine Estate Agents and Developers.
He, therefore, urged intending tenants to transact business with only genuine and registered agents who can be recognized by the Lagos State Government Estate Agent Registration Banner.
While enjoining the people to continue to have confidence in government’s ability to fulfill the mandate of accessible, affordable qualitative housing, he declared that the Lagos State government will not relent in its efforts in ensuring that the interest of Lagosians is adequately protected.
Also speaking during the visit, the Director, Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD), Esv. Ajayi Adeyeye described the activities of the dubious estate agents as criminal and punishable under the Lagos State Tenancy Law of 2003 formerly known as Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises Law (Vol.7 Law of Lagos State 2003).
Adeyeye said that the law that governs the rental of property is the basis of the legal contract that defines the relationship between the landlord/developer and tenant, noting that the present administration is poised to curb the excesses of fraudulent and quacks Estate Agents through regulations and effective prosecution.
He, therefore, encouraged the public not to hesitate in reporting any unscrupulous estate agent to the Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD) at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.
He also appealed to the registered Estate Agents to imbibe the culture of trustworthiness in rendering services to the public.