The Lagos State Government has said the new Tenancy Bill 2025, now under consideration by the State House of Assembly, will protect both tenants and landlords, while addressing exploitation by estate agents and boosting investment in the housing sector.
The Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, disclosed this during the public hearing on the bill held on Wednesday at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
According to him, the proposed legislation will make the registration of estate agents mandatory and place a limit on commission and agency fees, in response to public complaints about overcharging.
“As of today, there are issues surrounding the landlord and tenant relationship. This bill is intended to make sure everybody knows his or her rights. The tenant is protected, the landlord is protected,” Akinderu-Fatai said.
He added that the bill will “escalate investment in the real estate sector and encourage investors to come in with confidence that when they build, their investment is well protected.”
The Commissioner also commended provisions for virtual hearings to aid speedy dispensation of tenancy-related trials, and the introduction of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Agreement, which can be enforced by the courts when parties opt for ADR.
He further called for a review of the current requirement for landlords to insure premises against loss or damage and welcomed the express inclusion of landlords’ right to inspect and maintain properties, provided tenants are given prior notice.
The public hearing, chaired by Hon. Ege Olusegun Adebisi, Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Housing, was attended by the Speaker of the House, represented by Hon. Kayode Ogundipe, and other stakeholders including Engr. Abdulhafis Toriola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing; directors and heads of departments; and representatives of professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Association of Realtors, and the Real Estate Agents Association of Nigeria.
