Lagos Housing Commissioner Backs Proposed Tenancy Regulation Bill, Calls It “Fundamental” for Landlord-Tenant Relations

 Lagos, Nigeria – August 18, 2025 — The Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, has thrown his weight behind a proposed tenancy regulation bill currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly, describing it as a “fundamental” piece of legislation poised to protect both landlords and tenants while promoting greater transparency in the state’s real estate sector.

Speaking on the bill titled “A Bill for a Law to Regulate the Relationship Between Landlords and Tenants, Including the Procedure for the Recovery of Premises in Lagos State, and for Other Connected Matters,” the Commissioner said the legislation addresses key challenges in the state’s housing market — including rising rent burdens and frequent landlord-tenant disputes.

“This is a fundamental bill,” Hon. Moruf said. “You can see that many Lagosians took part in the process because they are directly affected. It’s a fact that people are spending as much as 33% of their income on rent. That’s a serious burden.”

He emphasized that the bill strikes a balance by clearly defining the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants. “There have been so many conflicts between landlords and tenants, and this bill will ensure that everyone knows their rights,” he said. “It protects both the tenant and the landlord.”

The Commissioner also highlighted a growing reluctance among property developers to engage in rental agreements due to the legal and practical complexities of managing tenants. “People are shying away from renting. Once they build, they just want to sell. This bill will encourage more people to return to renting by providing legal backing and reducing the fear of conflict or loss,” he explained.

Key provisions of the proposed legislation include:

Capping agency commissions at 5% of one year’s rent

Mandating agents to remit collected rent within seven working days

Prohibiting double collection of rent for the same property

Restricting rent advances to no more than three months for monthly tenants and one year for annual tenants

Imposing penalties of up to ₦1 million or two years imprisonment for unregistered or erring property agents

The bill also introduces strict regulatory frameworks aimed at curbing exploitative practices and ensuring timely access to justice in tenancy-related matters.

Once passed, the legislation is expected to bring greater order, accountability, and fairness to Lagos State’s dynamic but often disorganized rental market, offering much-needed relief to residents while restoring confidence among landlords and real estate investors.