LAGOS State Government on Monday advised residents to patronise only certified estate agents while seeking accommodation.
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Housing Mr. Wasiu Akewusola gave the advice at Alapere in Ketu, near Lagos, where a developer allegedly duped no fewer than 262 prospective home buyers.
“Residents of Lagos State should desist from patronising quacks and criminals when seeking accommodation and homes to buy,” he said.
Akewusola decried the high rate of fraudulent acts by illegal estate agents who are swindling people of their hard-earned money.
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“Lagos State Government is concerned about the rise in the criminal and callous activities of some dubious estate agents, who lure unwary individuals to purchase non-existent parcels of land or rent one flat out to hundreds of tenants,” he said.
The permanent secretary said the Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD), a directorate under the ministry, is responsible for registration and regulation of agents.
A statement by Mrs. Adeoti Sobowale, assistant director, Public Affairs of LASRETRAD, said Akewusola advised intending tenants to ensure they transacted business with only registered agents.
LASRETRAD Director Mr. Ajayi Adeyeye described the activities of dubious estate agents as criminal and illegal.
He urged the public to report unscrupulous estate agents to LASRETRAD at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja. [THE NATION]
