Stephanie Coker, a well-known media personality and businesswoman, has reignited the housing problem in Lagos State by sharing her vexing encounter with real estate brokers.
Taking to social media, Stephanie Coker criticised what she called unethical and uncontrolled practices in the rental market, particularly the now-common “viewing fee,” which is a price that agencies demand simply to show a house.
โLagos state needs to regulate housing agents. What exactly is this 20k viewing charge about? One even said the agency fee is 20%. They just wake up and make their own rules, knowing there’s no regulation, so they can do as they please. It’s very unfair to prospective tenants,โ Coker lamented.
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Thousands of Lagos residents who have long struggled with an opaque, stressful, and frequently exorbitant housing system found immediate resonance in her remarks.
See some reactions below:
@_christiee: Just look at this comment section, so many greedy people. So yโall expect agents to use there hard earn money to show you house that you might not take or even give them a review. Imagine coming from ajah to show someone a property in banana island. So I should use my money going and coming then na SOSO excuse I go hear, funny people ๐คฆ๐ฝโโ๏ธ
@adedapooni: People have been crying out and you guys will never use your platform to condemn it until you get hit
@careem00: They need to get paid, they are businesses and got overheads, not a charity. Oh, and sorry, you can regulate everything- policy is one thing, budget for compliance and resources is another – who go provide am for govt when all man dey try avoid tax? What do I knowโฆ
@olupat: Government should set up an app or website where landlords lists their properties, maybe it might help
@der.bhy: For real because itโs getting out of hand, 1-2m now is a very tiny amount to get a good house in Lagos. Lets not even talk about their agency fee.
The commotion draws attention to a larger issue: a housing market that functions like the Wild West, leaving desperate renters vulnerable to self-appointed agents who have little control and few options.
For residents of Lagos, the โฆ20,000 “viewing charge” mentioned by Coker is nothing new.
What started off as a small price of โฆ1,000 to โฆ2,000 a few years ago has grown into a troubling trend in which potential renters are charged outrageous fees, frequently without any assurance that their postings would be viable.
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Additionally, you should reconsider if you believe that the price will ensure a property match or even a refund if you are unable to locate one.
There are no refunds, no accountability, and no receiptsโit’s a pay-to-look scenario.
Many people believe that these charges are a fraud masquerading as legitimate. For a charge, you are shown houses that might not be real, are already rented, or are significantly subpar.
Agents frequently solicit money from several parties for the same flat, relying on their abilities to move prospective tenants around or wait until one of them gives up.
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