Finding a house in Lagos without having to deal with agents who want to chop your money is a lot of work.
If you’ve been scammed, overcharged, or mistreated by a real estate agent, you don’t have to absorb it. In this article, you’ll learn the correct way to get justice and report greedy real estate agents.
What Makes a Real Estate Agent “Greedy”?
Frankly, some agents in Lagos are so greedy. These people have turned house hunting into a nightmare for the common man just trying to find somewhere decent to live.
The worst ones will demand crazy high commission rates, sometimes 15-35% of your yearly rent, when normal agents charge just 5-10%.
These greedy agents target people who look desperate or unfamiliar with properties in Lagos, knowing they can get away with their robbery.
Then there are the hidden charges that appear from nowhere; suddenly, you’re paying a “documentation fee”, “inspection fee”, “processing charge”, and God knows what other names they’ve invented to steal your money.
The bold, greedy agents will show you fake property listings with beautiful photos of houses that either don’t exist or belong to someone else entirely, just to waste your time and transport money.
The worst behavior from greedy agents is when they collect the money you deposited, and then tell you that the property is “no longer available” but somehow your refund is also not available.
These scammers know most people will just accept the loss and move on rather than fight back because of the stress they’ve gone through or will face.
They use words that put pressure on people, like “Pay now or someone else will take it” or “The landlord is travelling tomorrow, so decide fast.”
This is because they want innocent people looking for houses to pay money without thinking about it or doing a proper investigation/verification.
Also read: 10 Things to Consider Before Going With That Rental Agent in Surulere, Lagos
If you’ve experienced any of these, you’re probably angry and wondering what you can do about it. The good news is that the Lagos State government has given you weapons to fight back, and RentHouseSurulere is about to show you exactly how to use them to get justice and protect other people from falling into the same trap.
How to File Your Complaint With Greedy Agents
Report to LASRERA
The Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) is the government body that can punish these agents, and they’re taking this seriously in 2025.
Gather Your Evidence First. You’ll be needing:
- All receipts and bank transfer screenshots
- WhatsApp chats with the agent
- Pictures of the property or listings they showed you
- Any contracts you signed
- The agent’s business card or contact details
Go to the Lasrera Website
Visit: https://lasrera.lagosstate.gov.ng/ and fill out their complaint form. It’s free and you can do it from your phone.
What to Include in Your Complaint
- Your contact details
- The agent’s name and company
- Exactly what they did wrong
- How much money is involved?
- What do you want them to do about it
Get Your Reference Number
After submitting, they’ll give you a tracking number. Screenshot it! You’ll need this to follow up.
For the follow-up process,
LASRERA usually responds within 3 days. If they don’t, call them or visit their office at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa.
You can report at other places like;
1. Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA)
These people handle all consumer complaints, including real estate scams. Their office is at No. 2B, Soji Adepegba Close, off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. It has offices in Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikoyi and Bariga.
2. Police Station
If the agent stole your money (yes, it’s theft), go to your nearest police station and file a report. Bring all your evidence.
3. Leverage social Media
Twitter and Facebook can pressure these agents faster than any government office. Post screenshots, tag the agent’s company (especially if they’re active online), and watch them beg you to delete the post.
It happened to someone who exposed an agent demanding ₦500,000 commission for a ₦2 million apartment. The agent quickly reduced his fees after a lot of retweets.
Why You Should Use Rent House Surulere Instead
Instead of gambling with random agents, work with people you can trust. Rent House Surulere has been helping people find houses without stress and unnecessary drama for a while now.
If you’re tired of dealing with greedy agents and hidden fees, Rent House Surulere is here to assist you. We help you find your ideal home without stress.
Our commission is clearly stated upfront, so you’ll never encounter any surprises or extra charges.
What makes us different is that we’re committed to serving our customers with integrity and ensuring that they are satisfied.
We only showcase properties that are available and verified by our team to save you time and stress. We are also licensed and trained to provide expert guidance. The bottom line is that you can trust us to find a place you’ll call home.
Red Flags and How to Spot a Greedy Agent
When transacting with an agent, watch out for these warning signs so you can run away from a greedy agent on time:
- They Want Money Immediately. They keep insisting, “Pay now or lose the house!” Real professionals give you time to think and verify.
- No Proper Office: If they only meet you at bus stops, fast food joints, or anywhere without proper identification, run.
- They won’t show you documents. Licensed agents proudly show their credentials. Scammers hide theirs.
- Their offer is too Good to Be True. A 4-bedroom duplex in Lekki for ₦500,000 yearly? Come on, that’s a scam.
- They’ve got a bad online presence: no website (not always compulsory though), no reviews, or only bad reviews.
Google can use Google to check them online if they have a social media presence, because Google can save you from these people.
What Happens After You Report?
Here’s what to expect when you file a complaint:
– LASRERA reviews your complaint and contacts the agent.
– The agent gets a chance to explain themselves.
– LASRERA investigates and may call both of you for a meeting.
– The case is resolved: Good agents apologise and refund money. Bad ones get fined, suspended, or banned.
A Recent Success Story About LASRERA That Will Encourage You
The Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) has done amazing work in 2024 and 2025. They helped people recover over ₦773 million and 38 properties.
They stepped in to settle problems between tenants, land buyers, agents, and developers. This has made real estate dealings much safer for everyone.
One big success was stopping a ₦40 million land scam. They protected an investor from losing money, showing how serious they are about protecting the public.
LASRERA is also helping people avoid going to court by using Alternative Dispute Resolution. Out of nearly 1,900 reported issues, they have already solved 1,243 cases. This peaceful approach builds trust and makes the market better for everyone.
Common Questions People Ask about LASRERA
“Will the agent retaliate if I report them?”
- LASRERA protects complainants. Agents who retaliate face bigger punishment.
“How long does the process take?”
- Simple cases: 2-4 weeks.
- Complex ones: 2-3 months.
“Do I need a lawyer?”
- Not for LASRERA complaints. They handle everything.
“What if the agent has no licence?”
- That practice is a serious offense. The agent will face the punishment.
What to do Next?
- If you’re currently dealing with a greedy agent, gather your evidence and file that LASRERA complaint today.
- If you’re looking for a new agent, contact Rent House Surulere instead of risking another scammer.
- If you’ve had a good experience with LASRERA and Rent House Surulere, leave reviews to help other people find trustworthy agents.
Every time you report a greedy agent, you’re not just helping yourself, but you’re making it harder for them to scam the next person. Lagos real estate is getting better because people like you are refusing to accept nonsense.
