Follow Us on Google
By Maduka Nweke
The recently enacted Lagos Tenancy Law has stirred mixed reactions across the state, with some residents hailing it as a long-awaited relief from arbitrary rent practices, while others fear it may deepen tensions between landlords and tenants. Experts say the law’s impact will depend on how well it is implemented and whether both sides of the rental divide can adapt to its provisions.
The Lagos ministry of housing, in its efforts to tackle the protracted crisis around rent and arbitrary agent fees, convened an inter-agency stakeholder meeting with real estate associations.
The meeting was jointly chaired by the Commissioner of Housing, Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare. Also present at the meeting was the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Housing, Mr. Abdulhafis Toriola.
Aside from relevant Lagos state government ministries at the event, the real estate association members were also represented. They are; Estate Rent and Commission Association of Nigeria led by the Chairman, Mr. Godwin Alenke; Female Lawyers on Real Estate Practitioners led by the President, Mrs. Peace Anomneze; Nigeria Bar Association Ikeja Branch represented by Mr. Adeyemi Abijo and Mr Gordon Charles, State Chairman Association of Property Investment and Commission Agents in Nigeria.
According to reliable sources, the meeting agreed to convene a broader meeting of all stakeholders before taking final decisions on the way forward to resolving all issues surrounding arbitrary rent increase and illegal charges.
A reliable source informed Daily Sun that the Lagos State Tenancy Law has been revised to strengthen tenant protection and place tighter checks on landlord practices.
On the issue of advance rent, the source explained that the updated law draws a firm line on how much can be collected from sitting tenants. “Landlords are prohibited from demanding more than three months’ rent in advance from sitting tenants. Similarly, tenants are not allowed to pay more than three months’ rent upfront. Violations can result in fines up to N100,000 or imprisonment for up to three months,” she said.
Other News
The source also highlighted new rules on mandatory rent receipts, stressing that transparency is now non-negotiable. “Landlords must issue rent payment receipts to tenants, detailing the payment date, names of the parties, property location, amount paid, and the rental period covered. Failure to provide a receipt can lead to a N10,000 fine,” she disclosed.
On tenancy agreement fees, the source noted that the Lagos State Government reaffirmed its stance against excessive charges. “Tenancy agreement fees should not exceed 10 per cent of the annual rent, and landlords or agents charging above this limit are in violation of the law,” she said.
She further clarified the law’s position on notice periods for termination of tenancy in the absence of a written agreement. “The law stipulates the following notice periods: one week for a weekly tenant; one month for a monthly tenant; three months for a quarterly or half-yearly tenant; and six months for a yearly tenant,” she explained.
However, the law also provides remedies for landlords in cases of default. “If a monthly tenant is in arrears for three months, the landlord may seek possession through the courts,” she added.
On tenant rights; tenants are entitled to reasonable privacy; freedom from unreasonable disturbance; exclusive possession of the premises; use of common areas for lawful purposes. Additionally, tenants who make improvements with the landlord’s written consent may claim compensation if the tenancy is terminated. On dispute resolution tenancy disputes can be addressed in either the High Court or Magistrates’ Court within the relevant jurisdiction. On prohibition of unlawful evictions, Landlords must not evict tenants without following due legal process. Self-help evictions are prohibited and can result in legal penalties.
For tenants seeking further clarification or wishing to report violations, the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) remains the official channel of contact.
According to the Lagos State Government, the combined charge for legal and tenancy agreement fees must not exceed 10 per cent of the annual rent.
To illustrate, if the annual rent is N1,000,000, the total payable for both legal and agreement fees should not surpass N100,000. This could be split as five per cent for legal fees and five per cent for agreement fees, or in any other ratio, provided the total stays within the 10 per cent cap.
Any charge above this threshold is expressly deemed illegal under the Lagos Tenancy Law. Tenants who require a formal reference or wish to file a complaint are encouraged to contact LASRERA for enforcement.
