Lagos State Updates Tenancy Law to Protect Tenants and Regulate Landlords 

The Lagos State Government has made crucial updates to the Tenancy Law to protect the rights of tenants and curb exploitative practices by landlords. The revised law focuses on fair rent practices, notice periods, and legal processes in tenancy relationships. 

Key Provisions of the Updated Law 

    Advance Rent Limit 

    Landlords are no longer allowed to demand more than six months’ rent in advance from monthly tenants and not more than one year from yearly tenants. Exceeding this limit attracts a penalty of up to ₦100,000- or three-months’ imprisonment. 

    Compulsory Rent Receipts 

    Landlords must now issue official rent receipts after every payment. The receipt must show the names of both parties, the payment date, amount paid, location of the property, and the rental period. Non-compliance can lead to a fine of ₦10,000. 

    Cap on Legal and Agreement Fees 

    The law states that legal and agreement fees combined must not exceed 10% of the annual rent. For instance, if the rent is ₦1,000,000, landlords or agents cannot charge more than ₦100,000 total for these services. 

Termination Notice Periods 

In situations where there is no written agreement, tenants are entitled to specific notice periods: 

    1 week for weekly tenants 

    1 month for monthly tenants 

    3 months for quarterly/half-yearly tenants 

    6 months for yearly tenants 

Also, if a monthly tenant is in arrears for over six months, landlords can approach the court for eviction. 

Rights of Tenants 

The law assures tenants of: 

    Reasonable privacy 

    Freedom from undue disturbance 

    Exclusive possession of the premises 

    Access to common areas 

Tenants who carry out improvements with the landlord’s written consent may also be eligible for compensation if the tenancy is ended. 

“Housing is a basic right, not a privilege. With this law, we’re making sure tenants in Lagos are treated with dignity, fairness, and legal protection.” — Lagos State Ministry of Housing 

Dispute Resolution and Eviction Process 

Disputes are to be handled through the High Court or Magistrates’ Court. Landlords are prohibited from evicting tenants without a court order, and unlawful evictions are now punishable under the law. 

This updated Tenancy Law is a significant step toward fairness and balance in landlord-tenant relationships. Tenants are encouraged to know their rights and report violations to LASRERA (Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority).