Clarion Newschannel – Lagos, December 19, 2025
The Lagos State Government has transmitted an executive bill titled the Lagos State Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill 2025 to the House of Assembly, aiming to overhaul tenancy regulations and address longstanding disputes between landlords and tenants in Africa’s most populous city.
Introduced in July 2025, the bill passed its second reading on July 10 and was referred to the Committee on Housing for further review. As of late 2025, it remains under consideration and has not yet been enacted into law. The proposed legislation seeks to repeal and replace the Tenancy Law of 2011, which has been deemed insufficient amid rapid urbanization, a growing housing deficit, and rising complaints of exploitation.
Key provisions in the draft bill include:
Mandatory Court Orders for Evictions: Landlords must obtain a valid court order before evicting tenants. The bill expressly prohibits forceful evictions, harassment, intimidation, or self-help measures such as using threats or hired agents. Violations could attract jail terms, fines up to ₦1 million, or both.
Protection Against Arbitrary Rent Increases: Tenants can challenge unreasonable rent hikes in court, with judges considering factors like prevailing rates in similar areas, witness evidence, and property-specific circumstances. Landlords are barred from evicting tenants during such disputes.
Limits on Advance Rent and Agent Fees: The bill introduces restrictions on upfront rent demands and caps real estate agent commissions at 5% of annual rent. Agents must be registered with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), remit collected rents to landlords within 7 days, and face criminal penalties for fraud, such as collecting rent from multiple parties for the same property.
Broader Application: Unlike the 2011 law, which exempted high-end areas like Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Apapa, and Ikeja GRA, the new bill applies statewide to residential and business premises, with limited exemptions (e.g., staff quarters or emergency shelters).
Faster Dispute Resolution: Tenancy cases can proceed via originating summons, with hearings scheduled within 14 days. Mediation is encouraged, capped at 30 days, and courts may hold virtual or weekend sittings for efficiency.
Tenant Rights Enhancements: Tenants gain explicit protections for peaceful enjoyment, privacy, access to common areas, and compensation for approved improvements. Landlords must provide semi-annual statements on service charges and refund unused deposits.
The bill responds to persistent issues in Lagos’ rental market, where rent often exceeds 50% of household income and the housing gap has widened to 3.4 million units. Stakeholders, including lawmakers, have described it as “long overdue” for modernizing landlord-tenant relations and curbing abuses by unregistered agents.
If passed, the law is expected to promote fairness, transparency, and investor confidence in Lagos’ real estate sector. The House of Assembly continues deliberations, with public input shaping potential amendments.
Clarion Newschannel will provide updates as the bill progresses.
Lagos Proposes Tough New Tenancy Law: Jail Terms for Illegal Evictions, Caps on Advance Rent
