Lagos State’s proposed Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill 2025 has introduced major reforms that could reshape how landlords, tenants, and real estate agents operate in the state’s rental market.

The Bill, currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly, aims to modernise rental regulation, curb exploitative practices, and reduce long-standing disputes in Africa’s most active property market.

Lagos’ growing population and rapid urbanisation have intensified pressure on its rental system, exposing gaps in existing laws—especially in areas such as advance rent, unregulated agency fees, and prolonged eviction battles.

Key Highlights of the Lagos Tenancy Bill 2025

1. Agency Fees Capped at 5% and Mandatory LASRERA Registration

The Bill proposes stricter oversight of estate agents, mandating that all practitioners register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA).

Agency fees are capped at 5% of annual rent.

Agents must remit funds collected on behalf of landlords within seven working days.

Agents must issue proper receipts for all transactions.

Violations attract penalties of up to ₦1 million, two years imprisonment, or both—measures targeted at eliminating double-renting scams, inflated commissions, and fraud involving unregistered agents.

2. Advance Rent Limited to One Year

To address rising complaints about excessive upfront payments:

New tenants cannot be charged more than one year’s rent in advance.

Sitting tenants paying monthly cannot be compelled to pay more than three months in advance.

Offering or accepting payments above these limits becomes an offence punishable by a ₦1 million fine or three months imprisonment.

For many renters, this is one of the most transformative proposals, potentially reducing financial pressure that has forced families into debt or homelessness.

3. Tenants Can Challenge Unfair Rent Increases

While the Bill does not fix rent prices, it grants tenants the right to challenge unreasonable rent hikes in court.

Courts may consider special circumstances such as property upgrades or market conditions before determining if a rent increase is justified.

Landlords are barred from evicting tenants while such disputes are ongoing—a critical protection in a city where sudden increases of 50–200% are common.

4. Faster and More Transparent Eviction Processes

The Bill introduces structured eviction procedures aimed at reducing prolonged disputes and improving trust between landlords and tenants.

Why the Bill Matters

With Lagos hosting one of Africa’s priciest and most chaotic rental markets, stakeholders say these reforms could reduce exploitation, strengthen regulation, and provide long-awaited legal protection for millions of tenants.

However, analysts warn that enforcement remains key, especially given high demand for housing and limited supply.

The post Lagos Tenancy Bill 2025: Fresh Provisions Emerge for Landlords, Agents and Tenants appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Lagos State is set to modernize its rental market with the Lagos Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill 2025, a proposed law designed to improve landlord-tenant relations, protect tenants from exploitation, and regulate real estate agents.

The bill addresses long-standing challenges in Lagos’ housing sector, including excessive advance rent demands, unregulated agency fees, and prolonged eviction disputes that have affected thousands of tenants in the city.

Regulation of Real Estate Agents and Agency Fees

The bill requires all real estate agents operating in Lagos to be formally registered with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA). Agency fees are capped at 5% of annual rent, ensuring fair compensation without overcharging tenants.

Agents must remit all collected funds to landlords within seven working days and issue receipts. Violations may result in fines up to ₦1 million, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.

Limits on Advance Rent

A major tenant grievance—advance rent—is addressed in the bill. New tenants cannot be asked to pay more than one year’s rent upfront, while current monthly tenants cannot be forced to pay more than three months in advance.

Any violation carries penalties of ₦1 million or up to three months imprisonment. This provision is expected to ease financial pressure on Lagos residents and reduce debt or homelessness caused by excessive rent demands.

Protection Against Harassment and Illegal Eviction

The bill criminalizes self-help eviction methods, including cutting utilities, blocking access, or seizing property without a court order. Landlords attempting illegal eviction face fines of ₦1 million or six months imprisonment.

Tenants now have a legal pathway to challenge unfair rent increases, with courts considering comparable rents, evidence from both parties, and other relevant circumstances before approving hikes. Eviction proceedings are paused during disputes.

Faster Eviction and Tenancy Court Procedures

To address slow judicial processes, the bill allows originating summons filings, with hearings scheduled within 14 days, including weekends and public holidays. Mediation for disputes is capped at 30 days, ensuring quicker resolution while protecting tenant rights.

Transparency in Deposits and Tenant Rights

Landlords must provide tenants with clear accounts of security deposits and service charges every six months. Deposits are refundable except in documented cases of property damage.

Tenants also gain explicit rights to privacy, peaceful enjoyment, and compensation for improvements made with landlord consent, promoting accountability in the rental market.

Current Status and Next Steps

Introduced in July 2025, the Lagos Tenancy Bill passed its second reading on 10 July 2025 and is currently under review by the Committee on Housing. Once enacted, it will bring significant reforms to Lagos’ rental sector, benefiting tenants, landlords, and agents alike.

Experts believe the law will professionalize the real estate sector, curb exploitation, and enhance transparency, ultimately fostering a more sustainable and fair rental market in Lagos.

The post Lagos Tenancy Bill 2025: New Rules to Protect Tenants, Cap Rent, and Regulate Agents appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

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.

The post Abia Lawmakers Push for Stronger Tenant Protections, Rent Regulation appeared first on Housing TV Africa.