BY: Mustapha Lawal
Claim
Lagos State Government has recently updated its tenancy law to offer stronger protections for tenants
Verdict:
False! There is no evidence that the Lagos State Tenancy Law has been updated. The state government has publicly debunked the claim and confirmed that the law currently in effect remains unchanged since its last revision in 2015.
Background
A series of viral posts on social media claim that the Lagos State Government has recently updated its tenancy law to offer stronger protections for tenants. According to these messages, landlords can now demand no more than three months’ rent in advance, and those who violate this rule face penalties including fines of ₦100,000 (about US$60) or up to three months’ imprisonment. The posts present these updates as official and currently in force.
The claim suggests that the Lagos State Government has amended the tenancy law to curb abusive rental practices by landlords. Posts circulating on social media present what they call “Key Provisions of the Updated Lagos State Tenancy Law,” which include limiting advance rent to three months and introducing penalties for landlords who breach this rule.
These messages have appeared widely across Facebook and WhatsApp, shared as graphics or screenshots, and sometimes with commentary praising the supposed reforms. The same message has been reshared across multiple platforms, few instances published here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. amplifying the impression that a major legal change has occurred.
What is the Lagos Tenancy Law?
The Lagos State Tenancy Law was first enacted in 2011 and is often referred to in relation to its 2015 version, which consolidated the legal framework around rental relationships in the state. The law outlines the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants and provides procedures for tenancy agreements, dispute resolution, and eviction. The law was introduced to bring order to the rental housing market in Lagos, a densely populated and economically vital Nigerian state where demand for housing is extremely high.
Verification
FactCheckAfrica conducted a detailed search of the Lagos State Government’s official website and its verified X (formerly Twitter) account turned up no information about any changes to the tenancy law. Such an important update would likely be publicized through official channels and covered widely by the Nigerian media, especially given how deeply the issue affects residents in Lagos. However, no reputable news outlet has reported any such reform.
In April 2025, the Lagos State House of Assembly did call on the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to implement the existing tenancy law more effectively. However, this request focused on enforcement of the current law, not the introduction of new provisions. There is no record of any amendment bill being passed by the Assembly or signed into law by the governor.
On 23 May 2025, the Lagos State Government issued a clear and public denial of the viral claim. Posting from its verified X account, the government described the circulated message as a “fabricated online publication.” It stated unequivocally that no new tenancy law had been introduced, and that the law currently in force remains the Lagos State Tenancy Law of 2015.
In its statement, the government clarified that the message did not come from the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), the body typically responsible for oversight in the sector. “The Lagos State Government wishes to state unequivocally that the said publication did not emanate from LASRERA,” the post reads. The statement concluded by reaffirming that the 2015 tenancy law is still “subsisting.”
While there have been public calls for further reform, particularly amid tensions over rent hikes and evictions, no legislative updates have been enacted in 2025.
Conclusion
The claim that Lagos State has updated its tenancy law to restrict advance rent to three months and introduce new penalties for landlords is false. The Lagos State Government has publicly denied the claim and confirmed that the 2015 tenancy law remains the applicable legal standard. There is no official record of any new law being passed or implemented. Residents are advised to rely on verified information from official government channels and trusted media sources when it comes to changes in policy or law.
False claims about legal rights and government policies can create confusion and mistrust, especially in sensitive areas such as housing and rent. For tenants, believing such misinformation could result in failed negotiations or unnecessary confrontations with landlords. For landlords, the fear of non-existent penalties could lead to reluctance in renting properties. In such contexts, disinformation doesn’t just distort facts, it disrupts real lives.
