Fake Landlords and Agents in Lagos: Verify Before Paying

Fake landlords and agents in Lagos often exploit the pressure to find accommodation quickly.

They may advertise a property they do not control, impersonate a real agent, collect money from several prospective tenants or demand payment before allowing a proper inspection. The safest approach is to verify the person, their authority to rent out the property, the property itself and the payment details before transferring money.

A convincing WhatsApp profile, a polished flyer or a video tour does not prove that someone has the right to collect your rent. Use the checks below even when a friend recommends the agent.

What to check before paying anyone

Important: Do not pay a deposit simply because an agent says another tenant is waiting. Genuine urgency does not remove the need for verification.

Step 1: Verify the agent’s identity

Ask the agent for their full name, business name, phone number and, where relevant, office address and registration details. Find out whether they represent the landlord, a property management company or another agent.

If the person claims to work for an established agency, contact the agency independently using contact details you find yourself. Do not rely only on a phone number or website link sent by the person requesting payment.

You can also search a business through the Corporate Affairs Commission’s official public search. A matching registration record can help establish that a business exists, but it does not prove that the individual works for that business or has authority over the property.

In Lagos, ask for the agent’s LASRERA registration or permit details and verify them through the regulator’s official channels. If someone claims to be a registered estate surveyor and valuer, check that professional claim with the relevant registration body. Registration is one check, not a guarantee that every transaction they handle is legitimate.

Official resources: the Lagos State Land Administration Portal provides property-search services, while the LASRERA platform offers real-estate verification and related services. Check that you are using the genuine official platform before submitting personal information or making a payment.

Step 2: Visit the property in person

Do not rent a property based solely on photographs, a video call or a message saying that the keys will be delivered after payment. Photos can be copied from genuine listings, and scammers can show a real property they have no authority to rent.

Arrange a physical inspection. Confirm the exact address, enter the property with an authorised person and check that the advertised rooms and facilities match what you were promised.

Inspect practical details such as water supply, electricity arrangements, ventilation, doors, windows, locks, plumbing and visible signs of damage. Ask about service charges, waste disposal, security arrangements, access rules and any known maintenance problems.

If possible, visit during daylight and speak discreetly with a caretaker, building manager or neighbour. Ask whether the property is actually available and who manages it. Neighbours’ comments are useful leads, but they are not proof of ownership.

If the agent refuses an inspection, keeps changing the address or says you must transfer money before you can see the property, stop the transaction.

Step 3: Confirm the landlord’s authority

An agent can be genuine and still lack permission to rent a particular flat. This is why checking the agent alone is not enough.

Ask who owns the property and request a written letter of authority or other verifiable evidence that the landlord has instructed the agent to handle the letting. Where appropriate, arrange to speak directly with the landlord or the authorised property manager.

Compare the names on the documents and the proposed tenancy agreement. If the person signing is not the registered owner, ask for evidence explaining their authority to act. This is especially important when a property is managed by a company, belongs to an estate or is handled by a family representative.

Do not accept a screenshot of an identity document or a title document as conclusive proof. Documents can be altered, and a genuine document may relate to a different property.

For a large financial commitment, a long lease or a transaction involving disputed ownership, ask an independent property lawyer to review the documents and recommend the appropriate checks.

Step 4: Check the property documents independently

The documents you need depend on whether you are renting, buying or entering another type of property arrangement. For a rental, the central question is whether the landlord or their authorised representative has the right to grant the tenancy. For a purchase, title verification is even more critical.

Where a title search is appropriate, do not rely solely on documents supplied by the person asking for money. Use the relevant land registry or a qualified lawyer to check the property records. In Lagos, the state land portal provides a starting point for property searches and applications for certified records.

The search should relate to the exact property, not simply a similar address or a document with a familiar name. If details do not match, pause the transaction until the discrepancy is explained independently.

Remember that checking ownership records does not replace inspecting the property, confirming its availability or reviewing the tenancy agreement.

Step 5: Get every fee in writing

Before paying, request a written breakdown of the rent and each additional charge. Depending on the transaction, these may include agency fees, agreement fees, service charges or a refundable deposit.

Ask what each charge covers, when it is due and whether it can be refunded if the transaction does not proceed. Do not assume a fee is lawful or standard simply because an agent says everyone pays it. Confirm the applicable rules and seek advice if a charge seems questionable.

Make sure the agreed amount, property address, tenancy term and relevant conditions are recorded in the tenancy agreement. Read the document before signing and keep a copy.

Avoid paying multiple people for the same transaction without a clear explanation. If another agent becomes involved, ask who appointed them and who is entitled to receive each fee.

Step 6: Pay through a traceable channel

Do not hand over large sums of cash without a clear record. Before transferring money, confirm the recipient’s name through your banking app and check that it matches the landlord or the properly authorised company or representative named in the agreement.

If payment to an agent is genuinely required, get the landlord’s written confirmation of that arrangement and a receipt stating the amount, purpose, property address and date. Do not transfer funds into an unrelated person’s account because the agent claims that the landlord is unavailable.

Never share your banking PIN, one-time password or other security credentials to complete a rental transaction.

A receipt is essential, but it is not a substitute for verifying the recipient. A fraudster can issue a receipt too.

Red flags that mean you should pause

Be cautious if the agent:

• Insists that you pay before viewing the property.
• Claims the offer expires immediately and discourages independent checks.
• Refuses to provide a full name, verifiable business details or written authority.
• Gives inconsistent names or bank-account details.
• Cannot explain why the landlord’s name differs from the name on the agreement.
• Sends documents but will not allow them to be verified.
• Says the landlord is abroad and no independent contact or authority document is possible.
• Offers a price that seems unusually low but demands an immediate deposit.
• Changes the property address or payment recipient during the process.

One warning sign does not automatically prove fraud, but several combined should make you stop and investigate.

What to do if you have already paid a suspected fake agent

Act quickly. Contact your bank or payment provider immediately, explain that you suspect fraud and ask whether the transfer can be flagged or recalled. A reversal is not guaranteed, but delay can reduce your options.

Preserve evidence: transfer receipts, account details, messages, phone numbers, adverts, documents, inspection details and any agreement. Do not delete the conversation, even if the agent blocks you.

Report suspected fraud to the police and consider contacting the appropriate Lagos real-estate regulator if the transaction involves an agent operating in the state. If you believe your personal information has been misused, seek guidance from the relevant data-protection authority. Avoid threatening the suspect or publishing unverified personal allegations online; provide the evidence to the appropriate authorities.

If you have signed a tenancy agreement or paid a substantial amount, consult a qualified lawyer about your options. The next step depends on the facts, the agreement and the evidence available.

Neighbourhood tip: Ask trusted residents or the building manager whether they recognise the person claiming to manage the property. Local knowledge can help identify inconsistencies, but always combine it with independent document and payment checks.

A safer way to rent in Lagos

Finding a home can be stressful, particularly when you are balancing rent, transport and other expenses. However, a few independent checks can protect money you may have spent months saving.

Verify the agent, inspect the property, confirm the landlord’s authority, check the documents and agree on fees before transferring money. If any essential step is blocked, walk away until you can verify the facts. A genuine property should withstand reasonable questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I check whether a landlord in Lagos is genuine?

Ask for the landlord’s full name and verifiable evidence of ownership or authority to let the property. Inspect the property, compare names on the relevant documents and seek an independent property search or legal review when appropriate.

2. How do I verify an estate agent in Lagos?

Ask for the agent’s identity and business details, then check relevant registration information with LASRERA or the appropriate professional body. You should also confirm that the agent has written authority for the particular property.

3. Should I pay rent before signing a tenancy agreement?

Avoid transferring substantial rent before you have verified the property, confirmed the recipient’s authority and reviewed the written terms. The exact sequence can vary, but all payments should be documented and tied to a clear agreement.

4. What should I do if a fake agent collects my money?

Contact your bank or payment provider immediately, preserve all evidence and report the suspected fraud to the police and the relevant regulator. Recovery is not guaranteed, so act quickly and avoid sending more money to someone promising to release or recover the first payment.

5. Is a registered estate agency automatically trustworthy?

No. Registration can help confirm that a business or practitioner is known to a regulator, but it does not prove that the person has authority over a specific property. Verify the property, the landlord’s instruction, the agreement and the payment details separately.