Don't Pay That Deposit! How to Spot Rental Scams in Lagos Before You Lose Your Money
To spot a fake real estate agent in Lagos, you must verify their registration with LASRERA (Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority). Major red flags include agents who demand "commitment fees" before you see the house, refuse to let you meet the landlord, or insist on payment into a personal bank account instead of a corporate one. Never pay for a property you have only seen in pictures or videos.
The "Urgency" Trick: The Oldest Scam in the Book
If you are looking for a flat in competitive areas like Ikorodu, Surulere, or Yaba, you will hear this phrase: "Oga, you have to pay now. Three other people are coming to pay this evening."
This is almost always a lie designed to make you panic. The Rule: A genuine landlord prefers a tenant who does due diligence over a tenant who rushes to send cash. If they are pressuring you to pay without a physical meeting or a signed agreement, walk away.
3 Common Scams in Lagos Right Now
1. The "Virtual Tour" Trap (Bait and Switch)
The Scam: You see a beautiful, tiled apartment on Jiji or Facebook for a cheap price. The agent says, "The current tenant is still inside, so just watch this video." You pay.
The Reality: When you finally get the keys, the house is an uncompleted building or looks nothing like the video.
Solution: No View, No Pay. If you can't see it physically, it doesn't exist.
2. The "Fake Caretaker"
The Scam: A man with keys shows you the house. He claims to be the caretaker or landlord. You pay him cash.
The Reality: He was actually the security guard or a former tenant who made a copy of the key. The real landlord shows up a week later and kicks you out.
Solution: Always ask to see the Title Documents or proof of ownership. Insist on paying into a bank account that matches the Landlord's name.
3. The "Form Fee" Farmer
The Scam: An agent takes you to view 10 houses that are terrible or already occupied. He collects ₦5,000 "registration fee" for each trip.
The Reality: He has no houses to rent. He makes his living solely from the ₦5,000 fees.
Solution: Never pay more than a token amount for registration. A serious agent makes money from the commission, not the form fee.
How to Verify an Agent (The LASRERA Hack)
Lagos State now has a law protecting you.
Ask for their ID: Every genuine agent should have a LASRERA ID card.
Search Online: Visit
lasrera.lagosstate.gov.ngto check if they are registered.The "Neighbor" Hack: Before you pay, go back to the house alone. Knock on the neighbor's gate. Ask: "Who is the landlord here? Is this house actually empty?" The neighbors will tell you the truth that the agent is hiding.
Conclusion
It is better to lose a "great deal" than to lose your savings. If the rent is ₦300k when every other house in the street is ₦600k, it is a trap.
Need a Tenancy Agreement Template? Download a sample in the Resources section!