The House of Representatives has advanced a bill designed to limit the amount of rent landlords can demand from tenants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The proposed legislation seeks to cap compulsory advance rent payments at a maximum of 12 months to curb the exploitation of residents.
In addition to limiting upfront payments, the bill proposes the establishment of a dedicated authority to regulate tenancy practices and resolve disputes between landlords and tenants within the capital.
The move follows persistent complaints from residents regarding the arbitrary rent demands by property owners in Abuja. Many tenants have reported being forced to pay two or even three years of rent in advance before being allowed to occupy residential properties.
Regulation of tenancy and dispute resolution
The proposed authority would serve as a specialised body to handle grievances, providing a faster alternative to the often slow and expensive judicial process. Currently, many tenants in the FCT face significant hurdles when attempting to resolve issues related to maintenance, service charges, or sudden evictions through the standard court system.
The legislation to protect Abuja tenants from exploitation would also standardise tenancy agreements, ensuring that landlords cannot impose unilateral or unfair terms on residents.
The rental market in Abuja is currently characterised by a high demand for housing and limited supply, which has given landlords significant leverage. This imbalance has frequently resulted in the imposition of multi-year rent demands, which places an immense financial burden on the middle class and civil servants moving into the city.
Economic analysts have noted that such large upfront payments significantly reduce the disposable income of households, limiting their ability to fund other essential needs such as education and healthcare.
The bill must now proceed through the remaining legislative stages, including committee reviews and further readings in the House, before it can be sent to the Senate and eventually receive presidential assent.
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