Lagos / Enugu / Abakaliki, Nigeria
Nigeria’s rental market is undergoing a long-awaited transformation. For years, tenants and landlords have complained of manipulative practices by unregulated agents, with costs often inflated by commissions, hidden charges, and non-refundable fees. In some cases, tenants have been forced to part with 20 percent or more of annual rent in additional charges, on top of already high housing costs. These practices have fuelled mistrust, discouraged investment, and deepened the housing crisis in cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, and Abakaliki.
Governments are now stepping in. Enugu State has introduced a bill to cap agency and legal fees at 10 percent of annual rent while abolishing caution deposits that are rarely refunded. Lagos has gone further, proposing to reduce agency commissions to just 5 percent, with penalties for violators. Ebonyi State, under Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has announced an outright ban on house and land agents effective January 1, 2026, alongside the Rent Control Bill currently before its House of Assembly. These reforms mark a clear intent to end exploitation and restore balance to the landlord-tenant relationship.
But while legislation sets the framework, technology offers a practical solution. Simpleroomsng.com, Nigeria’s first commission-free rental platform, has launched to connect landlords and tenants directly, cutting out costly intermediaries. “We are incredibly excited to introduce Simpleroomsng.com, a platform built on the principles of fairness and efficiency,” says Biodun Olusesan. “Our mission is to empower Nigerians by providing a direct, transparent, and cost-effective way to manage rental properties. We believe that finding a home or a reliable tenant shouldn’t come with exorbitant fees.” By eliminating commission charges and offering tools such as AI-powered landlord dashboards, free property listings, and direct communication between both parties, Simplerooms provides a system that mirrors the fairness governments are striving to legislate.
Speaking further on the importance of innovation in Nigeria’s housing sector, Commandant Ambassador Alistair, a former global Diaspora chairman and mentor to young entrepreneurs, noted that Nigerians at home and abroad share the same aspiration for modern, transparent systems. “Nigerians both home and in the diaspora want easier and beneficial systems that leverage expertise, innovation, and create opportunities just as any advanced nation,” he said. “This is long overdue, and we trust our governments across the country will support Simplerooms and other similar businesses committed to fairness and nation-building.”
The combined effect of state reforms and private-sector innovation promises a fairer housing market that lowers barriers for tenants, builds accountability for landlords, and strengthens investor confidence. As governments act to protect their citizens, solutions like Simpleroomsng.com provide the digital infrastructure to ensure those protections become everyday reality. Together, they point to a future where housing in Nigeria is simpler, fairer, and accessible to all.
