CITIZENS COMPASS – The Lagos State Government on Saturday, disowned an online publication alleging an update to the Tenancy Law, describing it as untrue and fabricated.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, described the viral online publication as false and a figment of the imagination of fraudulent individuals who are out to scam unsuspecting members of the public.
In her words, “The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to a fabricated online publication stating that the Lagos State Tenancy Law has been updated to better protect the tenants and regulate the landlord practices. For the avoidance of doubt, the Lagos State Government wishes to state unequivocally that the said publication did not emanate from the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA).”
“The Lagos Government is hereby informing members of the Public, particularly Lagosians, that the Tenancy Law of 2015 is still subsisting. However, the bill for a new Tenancy Law is under due consideration at the Lagos State House of Assembly and yet to be passed into Law”, she added, declaring that members of the general public will be adequately informed when the Tenancy Bill is passed into law.
Odunuga-Bakare also revealed that the Ministry of Housing is currently engaging stakeholders, including practitioners, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), CDC, CDA and Royal Fathers across the five IBILE divisions. The engagements are focused on discussing the culture of monthly payments and establishing a clear understanding of the process of real estate transactions at all levels.
The viral publication reads, “*RELIEF FOR TENANTS AS LAGOS GOVT ACTIVATES TENANCY LAW.*
The Lagos State Tenancy Law has been updated to better protect tenants and regulate landlord practices.
Here are the key provisions:
1. Advance Rent Restrictions
Landlords are prohibited from demanding more than three (3) months’ rent in advance from sitting tenants. Similarly, tenants are not allowed to pay more than three months’ rent upfront. Violations can result in fines up to ₦100,000 or imprisonment for up to three months.
2. Mandatory Rent Receipts
Landlords must issue rent payment receipts to tenants, detailing the payment date, names of both parties, property location, amount paid, and the rental period covered. Failure to provide a receipt can lead to a ₦10,000 fine.
3. Tenancy Agreement Fee Cap
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed that tenancy agreement fees should not exceed 10% of the annual rent. Landlords and agents charging above this limit are in violation of the law.
4. Notice Periods for Termination
In the absence of a written agreement, the law stipulates the following notice periods:
One week’s notice for a weekly tenant
One month’s notice for a monthly tenant
Three months’ notice for a quarterly or half-yearly tenant
Six months’ notice for a yearly tenant
If a monthly tenant is in arrears for three months, the landlord may seek possession through the courts.
5. Tenant Rights
Tenants are entitled to:
Reasonable privacy
Freedom from unreasonable disturbance
Exclusive possession of the premises
Use of common areas for lawful purposes
Additionally, tenants who make improvements with the landlord’s written consent may claim compensation if the tenancy is terminated.
6. Dispute Resolution
Tenancy disputes can be addressed in either the High Court or Magistrates’ Court within the relevant jurisdiction.
7. Prohibition of Unlawful Evictions
Landlords must not evict tenants without following due legal process. Self-help evictions are prohibited and can result in legal penalties.
For further details or to report violations, tenants can contact the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA). The Lagos State Government’s position is that the total charge for legal and agreement fees combined should not exceed 10% of the annual rent.
Example:
If the annual rent is ₦1,000,000:
Total charge for both legal and agreement fees together should be ₦100,000 or less.
This means legal = 5% and agreement = 5%, or any other breakdown, as long as the total does not exceed 10%.
Anything above this is considered illegal under the Lagos Tenancy Law.
If you need a formal reference or want to lodge a complaint, you can contact LASRERA (Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority).
Meanwhile, skyrocketed rent is being experienced in some parts of Lagos.
Some respondents attributed this to demolition of structures across the State.
A cross section of people said a whopping sum of N1.1m is needed to rent a room and parlour apartment and N500,000 for a room in some parts of Lagos.
