The House of Representatives has proposed a new policy that would limit rent increases across Nigeria to no more than 20% of the current rate. The goal is to stop sudden rent hikes and make housing more affordable for Nigerians.

The proposal was introduced by Hon. Bassey Akiba, who represents Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency. He said that many Nigerians face unfair rent increases because there is no clear law controlling how much landlords can charge. Akiba called on the Federal Government to invest more in affordable housing and speed up the delivery of low-cost homes to ease the burden on tenants.

Lawmakers agreed that the move would help create a fairer housing system. They also directed key committees to work with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and state housing agencies to design sustainable rent policies that support low- and middle-income earners.

Lawmakers Demand Accountability from Security Agencies

In another decision, the House directed the Inspector General of Police and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure that officers on duty at checkpoints wear full uniforms and carry proper identification. The lawmakers said this would improve accountability and public trust in security operations.

This move follows similar actions by the Lagos State House of Assembly, which recently strengthened the enforcement of the 2015 Tenancy Law. The law prevents unreasonable rent increases and protects tenants from exploitation.

The Lagos Assembly also instructed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to ensure strict enforcement, while the Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, was asked to increase public awareness about tenants’ rights under existing laws.

The House of Representatives has proposed a new policy that would limit rent increases across Nigeria to no more than 20% of the current rate. The goal is to stop sudden rent hikes and make housing more affordable for Nigerians.
The proposal was introduced by Hon. Bassey Akiba, who represents Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency. He said that many Nigerians face unfair rent increases because there is no clear law controlling how much landlords can charge. Akiba called on the Federal Government to invest more in affordable housing and speed up the delivery of low-cost homes to ease the burden on tenants.
Lawmakers agreed that the move would help create a fairer housing system. They also directed key committees to work with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and state housing agencies to design sustainable rent policies that support low- and middle-income earners.
Lawmakers Demand Accountability from Security AgenciesIn another decision, the House directed the Inspector General of Police and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure that officers on duty at checkpoints wear full uniforms and carry proper identification. The lawmakers said this would improve accountability and public trust in security operations.

This move follows similar actions by the Lagos State House of Assembly, which recently strengthened the enforcement of the 2015 Tenancy Law. The law prevents unreasonable rent increases and protects tenants from exploitation.

The Lagos Assembly also instructed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to ensure strict enforcement, while the Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, was asked to increase public awareness about tenants’ rights under existing laws.

The post Nigeria’s Lawmakers Seek to Limit Rent Hikes to 20% to Protect Tenants 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.