Avoid fraudulent estate agents, LASG tells home seekers

The Lagos State Government has advised members of the public interested in purchasing homes from the state government against patronising fake estate agents.

A statement on Wednesday said the warning was given by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Kamar Olowoshago, during a briefing held in Alausa on Wednesday.

Olowoshago said government�s attention had been drawn to �unscrupulous activities of some organisations who parade themselves as agents engaged by the state government to sell, lease or rent housing units� in government-owned estates.

The permanent secretary noted that some of the fake agents use flyers and social media adverts with claims of being in partnership with the ministry to lure unsuspecting individuals into purchasing non-existent properties.

He appealed to the public to be cautious, stressing that the Lagos State Government had not appointed or empowered any individual or organisation to sell, lease or rent out housing units on its behalf.

Olowoshago advised Lagosians who want to outright purchase housing units to visit the Estate Department of the Ministry of Housing located at Block 3, Secretariat, Alausa.

He also directed those interested in allocation, mortgage or rent-to-own scheme to visit the� Lagos State Mortgage Board at NECA House, Plot A2 Hakeem Balogun Way, Alausa CBD, Ikeja.

�Any individual seeking to purchase homes from existing allottees should verify or authenticate the ownership of the homes and obtain the Certified True Copy of the original letter of allocation at the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Block 3, Second floor, Secretariat, Alausa,� the perm sec said.

Olowoshago stressed that the �Lagos State Government will, in no way, be liable for any loss incurred through the patronage of such fraudsters or impostors.�