Construction laws in Lagos fall under the purview of the Lagos State Building Control Agency; also known as LASBCA. In addition to ensuring that all property and buildings in the state are safe enough for habitation, the Lagos State Building Control Agency is also responsible for inspecting buildings to ensure they comply with clearly spelt out rules and regulations but it doesn’t end there.
This piece seeks to highlight 10 important responsibilities and facts you should know about construction laws in Lagos and how they relate to the Lagos State Building Control Agency.
1. Construction Laws Are Heavy on Preventing Building Collapse
One issue that sits on the front burner for the Lagos State Building Control Agency and constructions laws in Lagos is the prevention of building collapse in the state. To highlight the seriousness of its dedication to curbing this problem, the agency strives to achieve a zero per cent incidence of collapsed buildings.
Collapsed buildings in Lagos once constituted a menace in the state and in recent times, construction laws have played a significant role in ensuring that this is brought under control and curbed to its barest minimum. Did you know that over a period of 4 years, Nigeria recorded a total of 54 cases of collapsed buildings?
2. Construction Laws Go Beyond Preventing Building Collapse
Construction laws are also designed to lead and transform the building and construction industry. This will be achieved via parameters that have been set in place to improve the design and construction capabilities in the real estate industry.
3. LASBCA Has 13 Units
Construction laws in Lagos are as clear as they are thorough and it calls for a plethora of professionals to ensure they can realistically tackle real estate challenges and forge a way forward for development and growth. The departments/units in the Lagos State Building Control Agency include:
- Inspectorate & Quality Control
- Budget and Planning
- Information and Communication Technology
- Research Statistic and Records
- Public Relations
- Building Admin. & Public Enlightenment
- Legal
- Post Construction Audit
- Human Resources & Administration
- Enforcement
- Procurement
- Audit
- Account
4. The Lagos State Building Control Agency is Legitimate
The Lagos State Building Control Agency is regulated by the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2010, LASBCA regulations and the National Building Codes.
5. LASBCA Does Not Work Alone
To ensure a high level of quality control as well as the optimisation of all construction-related project, the Lagos State Building Control Agency works closely with real estate developers, property owners and other government agencies like the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA).
6. Construction Laws Are Empowered to Demolish Buildings
If you own a property that is declared to be distressed or labelled a non-conforming building, then it falls under the radar of buildings that can be marked for demolition. It is, therefore, important to adhere to conform to the guidelines spelt out in the state’s construction laws.
7. Construction Laws Need to Declare Your Property Fit For Habitation
The fact that you have money to build a property does not make moving in automatic upon completion. Before your property is declared fit for habitation, the Lagos State Building Control Agency needs to issue you a certificate of completion of building construction and fitness for habitation.
8. You Can’t Build a House Legally Without a Permit
Before you commence building a house, you are legally required to obtain a development permit and this falls under the purview of the Lagos State Building Control Agency. Once this is obtained, it is considered an approval for you to begin construction work on your site. In Lagos, we have cases of individuals and organisations buying existing property and demolishing it to erect a new building. In this scenario, a permit is also required.
The building permit is not optional and the state government has repeatedly reiterated the importance of this permit. To highlight the severity of penalty of building a house without a permit, the state government has vowed that any building found without a building permit would be shut down regardless of its location within the state.
9. The Law Permits a Grace Period
Before the Lagos State Building Control Agency shuts down buildings that fail to get a building permit before construction, the owners of such buildings are given a grace period to regularise before the state government comes down hard with penalties.
According to the construction laws, homeowners who run afoul of this construction law are served what is known as a ‘contravention notice.’ This period gives you the opportunity to regularise your documents in order to obtain the needed permits.
10. Construction Laws Audit Buildings
Before you build a house, ensure you follow the due process spelt out by the Lagos State Building Control Agency to avoid coming down on the wrong side of the law.
Did you know that in April 2018, the state government revealed that a total of 149 buildings have been earmarked for demolition and 40 of them have already been removed/demolished? Another 38 are expected to be brought down before the end of the year in a bid to ensure the safety of lives and property.
Final Thoughts on Construction Laws in Lagos
Lagos State has recorded a significant reduction in cases of building collapse and this has been largely due to the Lagos State Building Control Agency, the construction laws as well as its enforcement. Are you satisfied with the level of progress recorded by the state government in its war against buildings that are erected without authorisation or are there certain parts of the Lagos metropolis where you have seen one or more collapsed buildings?
