What is Inside the New Tenancy Bill Lagos is Looking Into?

The Lagos State House of Assembly is taking a fresh look at how rental relationships are handled across the state and if you live in a rented apartment, this new bill could soon affect you.

On Thursday, lawmakers moved the proposed tenancy bill one step closer to becoming law, as it passed its second reading during a plenary session. According to Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, the bill is designed to bring clarity, fairness, and legal backing to tenancy agreements, eviction processes, and rent structures in Lagos.

Titled “A Bill for a Law to Regulate the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in Lagos State,” the legislation doesn’t just tweak existing rules, it attempts a complete redefinition of what renting should look like in Africa’s most populous city.

Lagos is aiming for clarity and harmony

One of the key goals of the bill is to help both tenants and landlords fully understand their rights and responsibilities. 

No more grey areas or one-sided arrangements. Whether you’re a landlord trying to recover your property, or a tenant unsure about your notice period, this bill seeks to make the rules clear.

The proposed law also focuses on agents defining their roles, regulating their conduct, and limiting the confusion they often create in rental transactions.

Is Lagos moving into monthly or yearly rent? 

During the deliberations, lawmakers highlighted the importance of fairness in how rent is collected. Speaker Obasa made a special case for tenants who rely on bonuses or leave allowances at the end of the year to pay rent. 

He urged his colleagues to consider how rent timelines whether monthly or yearly affect such people.

On the flip side, he acknowledged the challenges landlords face, especially with the rising cost of building materials and dependence on rental income. The bill, he argued, must strike a balance between protecting vulnerable tenants and not putting property owners at a disadvantage.

A legal framework for dispute resolution

Members of the Assembly praised the bill for offering courts a stronger legal foundation to resolve tenancy disputes fairly and quickly. 

From rent default to wrongful eviction or agent misconduct, the bill lays out procedures for settling conflicts in a more structured and just way.

Mr. Sa’ad Olumoh described the bill as “crucial” for its ability to define and organise rent agreements, eviction notices, and the responsibilities of all involved landlords, tenants, and agents.

Holding landlords accountable

Notably, the bill proposes the creation of an enforcement body to check landlords who impose illegal or excessive rent charges. 

Lawmakers like Mr. Aro Moshood believe this move would ease the financial pressure tenants face and prevent exploitation.

Others agreed, saying the bill modernises the rental system and provides a blueprint for a more transparent housing sector.

What’s next?

The bill has now been sent to the House Committee on Housing for further scrutiny. The committee is expected to present its findings and recommendations within three weeks.

In a state where over 60% of the population relies on rented housing, the outcome of this bill could be a game-changer. If passed, it promises to introduce a new era of transparency, legal protection, and mutual respect in Lagos’s housing market.

For now, tenants, landlords, and property agents across Lagos will be watching closely because how we rent could soon change for good.