As of 2024/2025, the housing situation in Lagos State has become a major source of tension for many residents. With the city’s rapid growth and increasing population, finding affordable and decent accommodation has become a serious challenge. Recently, protests against house agents have gained momentum on social media platforms especially TikTok and Instagram with the hashtag #say No to house agents all over Lagos, a unison for people to express their frustration over unfair practices and harsh living conditions. These protests highlight deep-rooted issues within the housing market that affect thousands of Lagosians daily. Below are five key reasons fueling these ongoing protests against house agents in Lagos State.
1. Exorbitant Rent and Advance Payments
Many Lagos residents are protesting because house agents demand extremely high rents that are out of reach for the average person. This frustration can be easily felt among TikTok users. According to ameboplug video, “agents are bold enough to rent out apartments for 1 to 1.2 million and insist on collecting 500,000 naira as agency fee. She further added that ” house agents are one of the problems we have in this country and the government should put in place regulatory bodies to tackle house agent fees.” The comment section is also filled with like-minded people who conjointly reiterate that house agents over charge for their services. According to other sources, some house agents often require tenants to pay extra several months or sometimes up to a year-in advance, making it nearly impossible for many to secure decent housing. This practice is especially burdensome in a city where wages have not kept up with the rising cost of living, and it leaves many people either homeless or forced into overcrowded, substandard accommodations. Source: ameboplug
2. Exploitative and Unethical Agent Practices
House agents are also widely accused of exploiting tenants through excessive commissions, hidden fees, and manipulative contract terms. Another key factor is that the protests stem from concerns about high agency fees that sometimes exceed the rent itself and other allegedly illegal charges like “tenancy fee,” “caution fee,” and “agency fee”. Protesters in Ogun and Lagos State are demanding fairer practices and a reduction in these charges. In the comment sections of gossipmilltv on Instagram, several comments highlighted how some agents misrepresent the condition of properties or withhold crucial information, leading tenants into unfavorable agreements. These exploitative behaviors have fueled widespread distrust and anger, as renters feel trapped and powerless in a system that seems rigged against them. Some users like tooblakk_adekunle_adeduro commented, “that job called agent has turned to the job of people who are jobless/unemployed and now they’ve applied it with greed. Agency fee and whatever fee is not supposed to be more than 8% to 12% of the actual rent. But nothing concern the oloriburuku government wey we get, e sweet them make citizens dey suffer dey go. How rent go be 1M and agent sef wan pocket 500k?” Source: gossipmilltv ota_gossip
3. Housing Shortages and Poor Living Conditions
Lagos also faces a chronic shortage of affordable housing, and the properties that are available are often in poor condition. Unfortunately, many agents prioritize profit over tenant welfare, offering dilapidated apartments at inflated prices. A post by nairametrics, highlighted that “two-room wooden shanties without toilets or bathrooms in Makoko Waterside cost N180,000 annually.” Further interviews with residents also revealed that “as of 2024, a room costs N5,000 per month (N60,000 annually), while two rooms are N15,000 monthly (N180,000 annually) in Makoko.” Furthermore, “new residents to the waterside settlement are required to pay three years’ rent upfront for either option, along with additional fees ranging from N100,000 to N150,000 for damages, agreements, and agent commissions.” As a result, residents are forced to accept substandard living conditions, further intensifying frustration and sparking calls for reform. Source: nairametrics
4. Lack of Regulation and Government Oversight
Another major driver of the protests is the perceived absence of effective regulation and oversight of house agents and landlords. Without strong government intervention, agents operate with little accountability, and tenants have limited avenues for redress when they are mistreated. This regulatory vacuum enables ongoing abuse and exploitation, prompting protesters to demand stricter laws and enforcement to protect renters’ rights. A TikTok user Barron, uploaded a video addressing how petitions have been made to The Lagos State House of Assembly, Governor’s Office, The Attorney General Office and the commissioner of Police Office to stabilize the agency fee to 10%, i.e, if a house total package is 800,000naira, the agreement and commission must be 40-40 = 80,000, in place of unnecessary additional charges of “tenancy fee, agency fee and caution fee.” Source: Barron
The Naija Lowdown Writer 