The Lagos State House of Assembly has introduced a new tenancy bill aimed at curbing predatory practices by landlords and agents in the city’s residential and commercial property market.
Under the proposed law, landlords or agents are prohibited from demanding more than three months’ rent in advance from monthly occupants, or more than a year’s rent from annual tenants. Violators risk a ₦1 million fine, up to three months’ imprisonment, or both.
To reduce uncertainty for renters, the bill sets mandatory notice periods:
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Weekly tenants: 1 week
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Monthly tenants: 1 month
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Quarterly tenants: 3 months
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Yearly tenants: 6 months
It also fortifies transparency and accountability in property management. Landlords and agents must register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), remit rent payments within seven working days, issue proper rent receipts, and cap their commission at 5% of annual rent. Failure to comply may result in up to two years’ jail time or a ₦1 million fine, or both.
Crucially, the law forbids disruptive behaviors such as cutting off utilities, removing roofs, or engaging in other forms of harassment. Landlords are now legally responsible for general maintenance and repairs to preserve tenants’ peaceful occupancy.
This sweeping reform seeks to modernize landlord-tenant dynamics in Lagos, promoting fairness, security, and legal clarity in an often-contentious housing market.
