In a decisive move to rein in the activities of property agents and curb arbitrary rent increases, the Abia State House of Assembly has advanced two landmark bills aimed at reforming the state’s housing sector.
The legislative action includes the first reading of a bill sponsored by Hon. Egwuronu Mandela Obasi (Ohafia North), and the second reading of another sponsored by Deputy Speaker Austin Okezie Meregini (Umuahia East). Both bills seek to introduce greater oversight and consumer protection for tenants across the state.
If passed into law, the proposed legislation will mandate compulsory registration of all property agents with the Ministry of Housing. It will also criminalize the widespread practice of collecting rent from multiple tenants for the same property.
A key provision of the bill pegs the maximum agent’s fee at 5% of the rent, while also capping rent advances at six months, a move designed to ease financial pressure on tenants. Landlords will be prohibited from demanding, and tenants from paying, more than six months’ rent upfront.
The legislation also aims to tackle exploitative practices in the rental market, including hidden or excessive charges. It provides a legal framework to challenge such actions, classifying them as violations once the bill is enacted.
To further streamline the process of property recovery, the bill mandates that tenants must present proof of rent and utility payments when initiating or responding to tenancy-related litigation. Importantly, it also shields tenants from eviction while contesting rent hikes in court.
In a related development, the House passed into second reading H.A.B. 34 of 2025, also sponsored by Deputy Speaker Meregini, which complements the earlier bill by specifically targeting arbitrary rent increases and reinforcing protections for both tenants and landlords.
Commenting on the twin legislative efforts, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emereuwa, emphasized that the bills represent a proactive step towards bringing order, fairness, and accountability to the housing sector in Abia State.
“These bills are about doing the right thing, ensuring that both landlords and tenants are treated fairly, and that property transactions are conducted transparently,” he said.
The proposed reforms have been welcomed by housing advocates and tenant groups, who have long called for tighter regulation of the property market in the state.
