Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka has announced that the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) would be embarking on a tenancy registration drive to create a data bank for Lagos State.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with Saturday INDEPENDENT, she said “At a stakeholders engagement in Eko Hotel in October 2019, we introduced the idea of a registration portal to them that would have a conglomeration of real estate practitioners. It would also be an opportunity for innocent and shelter seeking Lagosians to from the click of a button from their homes, offices or schools, get accommodation in Lagos by dealing with the correct, certified agencies or developers that government has done due process on.
“We are pushing that initiative and we are telling the people of Lagos, ‘do not deal with anyone who is not registered with the state government. You do so at your own peril.’ It’s a caveat emptor thing, buyer beware. We tell them everyday do not deal with them.”
She added, “LASRERA is going to go on a tenancy registration drive. We are going to go through the private sector from house to house, knocking on doors and making sure we know who lives where and what that place is being used for.
“We need to know who we are, how many of us are here in Lagos, where we live and who our landlord or agent is. That gives us data and we know where everyone is. When we had the COVID-19 lockdown, we couldn’t give palliatives because we didn’t know where people live. It is imperative that government gathers that data. So we are embarking on this data gathering drive and make sure we know where everyone is, your address, phone number, what you do.”
Mrs Benson-Awoyinka, a lawyer, further advised Lagosians to beware of dealing with fraudulent people posing as real estate practitioners. “Before you deal, make sure your agent is registered with LASRERA. For every transaction that you do, let the Lagos State Government know because we also protect you as citizens.
“Ask any agent or seller for their LASRERA card, ID or certificate. Ask if they are registered with the state government. We are looking out for you, and I expect that you too would do due diligence whenever you are transacting,” she said. (Daily Independent)
